North Dakota Legal Ages

Legal ages in North Dakota

1. Age 7

   • Must be enrolled in school

     North Dakota requires children to attend school, or approved private or home instruction, from age 7.

     A parent who enrolls a 6-year-old must keep the child attending that year or withdraw the child.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. 15.1-20-01(1)-(2)

2. Age 8

   • Car seat or booster age requirement ends

     The child car seat or booster requirement ends at age 8; after that a seat belt can be used.

     Earlier once the child is 57 inches tall.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 39-21-41.2(1)

3. Age 14

   • Can work limited hours in non-hazardous jobs (federal rule)

     Federal law lets 14- and 15-year-olds work in permitted non-hazardous jobs, outside school hours and within weekly hour limits.

     Limits: no more than 3 hours on a school day and 18 hours in a school week; 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week when school is out; only between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. (9 p.m. from June 1 through Labor Day) (29 C.F.R. 570.35).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can work (state minimum age)

     North Dakota bars employment of minors under 14, except farm labor, domestic service or work for a parent, guardian or grandparent.

     North Dakota law · N.D. Cent. Code § 34-07-01

   • Can get a learner's permit

     North Dakota issues a Class D instruction permit at 14.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 39-06-04(1)

4. Age 16

   • Can leave school (compulsory attendance ends)

     North Dakota's compulsory attendance requirement ends at the 16th birthday.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. 15.1-20-01(1)-(2)

   • No work permit needed

     Workers aged 14 and 15 in North Dakota need an employment certificate, signed by a parent or guardian, on file with the employer.

     Farm labor, domestic service and work for a parent are exempt.

     North Dakota law · N.D. Cent. Code §§ 34-07-02, 34-07-04

   • Can work any non-hazardous job (federal rule)

     At 16, the general federal minimum working age applies: any job except those the Labor Department declares hazardous.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Can get a first license to drive alone

     A regular Class D license is available at 16 after six months with a permit (twelve months if the permit was issued before 16).

     A restricted license at 15 is possible where it is necessary for the minor to drive a family vehicle, after driver education and 50 hours of supervised driving (N.D.C.C. § 39-06-17(2)).

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. §§ 39-06-03(1), 39-06-04(4)

   • Lowest marriage age with parent or court consent

     With a parent's consent, the lowest age to marry is 16.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. 14-03-02; 14-03-17(1)(a)

5. Age 18

   • Can work in jobs federal law calls hazardous

     At 18, the federal bar on jobs the Labor Department declares hazardous for minors ends for non-farm work.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 29 CFR 570.2(a)(1)

   • Teen license limits end (varies, see rule)

     Licensed 16- and 17-year-olds may not use an electronic communication device while driving, a limit that ends at 18.

     North Dakota's licensing chapter (N.D.C.C. ch. 39-06) sets no night or passenger stage after 16; the restricted license available at 15 bars driving between the later of sunset or 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. unless an adult is in the front seat.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 39-08-24

   • Can get a tattoo without a parent's consent

     From 18, a person can be tattooed without a parent's consent.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 12.1-31-13(2)

   • Becomes a legal adult (age of majority)

     State law makes a person a legal adult, with full rights to contract and sue, at 18.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 14-10-02

   • Can make a will

     A person of sound mind can make a valid will at 18.

     North Dakota lets "any adult" make a will; adulthood begins at 18.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 30.1-08-01; § 14-10-02

   • Can marry without a parent's consent

     A person can marry without a parent's or court's consent at 18.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. 14-03-02

   • Can vote

     The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to vote at 18 in every federal, state and local election.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. amend. XXVI, § 1

   • Must register with Selective Service (men)

     Men 18 through 25 who are U.S. citizens or live in the United States must register with the Selective Service System.

     Men admitted on a nonimmigrant visa are exempt while they keep that status (50 U.S.C. 3802(a)).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 50 U.S.C. § 3802(a)

   • Can be called for state jury service

     A person can be called for state jury service from age 18.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 27-09.1-08(2)

   • Can be called for federal jury service

     Federal courts may call U.S. citizens 18 or older who have lived in the judicial district for a year.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 28 U.S.C. § 1865(b)(1)

   • Charged as an adult by default (juvenile court age ends)

     North Dakota tries people charged with a crime in adult court by default from age 18; younger defendants start in juvenile court.

     A juvenile court can transfer some younger defendants to adult court for serious offenses.

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 27-20.4-01(5)

   • Can buy a lottery ticket

     Lottery tickets may not be sold or given to minors; in North Dakota a minor is anyone under 18.

     North Dakota law treats everyone 18 and over as an adult (N.D.C.C. § 14-10-02).

     North Dakota law · N.D.C.C. § 53-12.1-08(6)

6. Age 21

   • Can drive a commercial truck across state lines

     Federal rules require drivers of commercial vehicles in interstate commerce to be at least 21.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 49 C.F.R. § 391.11(b)(1)

   • Can buy tobacco or vapes

     Federal law bars any retailer from selling cigarettes, vapes or other tobacco products to anyone under 21, in every state.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 21 U.S.C. § 387f(d)(5)

   • Can buy alcohol

     Federal highway funding law withholds funds from any state that lets anyone under 21 buy alcohol or possess it in public, so every state sets 21.

     Federal rules let states exempt possession (not purchase) for a religious purpose, with a parent, spouse or legal guardian 21 or older, for medical use, in private clubs, or in lawful employment (23 C.F.R. 1208.3).

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 23 U.S.C. § 158(a)

   • Under-21 credit card limits end (no cosigner or independent income needed)

     Under 21, a card issuer may open a credit card only with a cosigner or proof that you can repay on your own.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · 15 U.S.C. § 1637(c)(8)

7. Age 25

   • Can serve in the U.S. House

     The Constitution sets 25 as the minimum age for the U.S. House of Representatives.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 2, cl. 2

8. Age 30

   • Can serve as governor

     North Dakota's constitution requires the governor to be at least 30 years old.

     North Dakota law · N.D. Const. art. V, § 4

   • Can serve in the U.S. Senate

     The Constitution sets 30 as the minimum age for the U.S. Senate.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. I, § 3, cl. 3

9. Age 35

   • Can serve as President

     The Constitution sets 35 as the minimum age for President.

     Federal rule, applies in every state · U.S. Const. art. II, § 1, cl. 5

10. Age 62

    • Can start Social Security retirement benefits (reduced)

      Social Security retirement benefits can start at 62, permanently reduced.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Retirement Benefits: Benefit reduction for early retirement

11. Age 65

    • Eligible for Medicare by age

      Medicare hospital insurance by age begins at 65 for people entitled, or who would be entitled, to Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 42 U.S.C. § 426(a)

12. Age 67

    • Full Social Security retirement age (born 1960 or later)

      Full Social Security retirement age is 67 for anyone born in 1960 or later.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · SSA, Full Retirement and Age 62 Benefit By Year Of Birth

13. Age 72

    • Can ask to be excused from jury service because of age

      From age 72, a person can ask to be excused from jury service because of age.

      The exemption is given if the person requests it, based on age on the summons date.

      North Dakota law · N.D. Sup. Ct. Admin. R. 9, App. 2, Jury Selection Plan § 8(A); see also Admin. R. 9 Appendix, Standard 6(b)(3)

14. Age 73

    • Retirement-account minimum withdrawals begin

      Required minimum distributions from traditional retirement accounts begin at 73 for people who turn 72 after 2022.

      Federal rule, applies in every state · 26 U.S.C. § 401(a)(9)(C)(v)

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