North Dakota permit test: vehicle equipment and towing
Required equipment checked at the road test and towing rules. 8 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember7 key vehicle equipment and towing rulesShow the rules
- To pass the road-test inspection, a vehicle needs a horn that can be clearly heard for 200 feet. (p. 6)
- Every vehicle must have at least one mirror that lets the driver see the road at least 200 feet to the rear. (p. 6)
- Self-parking vehicles are not allowed for the road test unless the feature is deactivated, because you must parallel park yourself. (p. 6)
- The added weight of a trailer lengthens the distance needed to stop your vehicle. (p. 30)
- When towing faster than 25 mph, you need safety chains or brakes able to hold the trailer if the coupling breaks. (p. 30)
- A trailer 80 inches or more wide needs two amber clearance lamps on the front and two red clearance lights on the back. (p. 30)
- A trailer needs turn signals, stop lights, two red reflectors and two red taillights on the rear, visible for 1,000 feet. (p. 30)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample vehicle equipment and towing questions
1.When you tow a trailer, what happens to your stopping distance?
- AIt changes only on gravel
- BIt gets shorter
- CIt gets longer
- DIt stays the same
Show the answer
✓ C. It gets longer
The added weight of a trailer lengthens the distance needed to stop your vehicle.
Source: 2025-2027 Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Class D (2025-2027), page 30
2.You are towing a trailer at 45 mph. What safety equipment do you need?
- AOnly a properly tightened hitch ball
- BA second person watching the trailer
- COrange flags on all four trailer corners
- DSafety chains or brakes that can hold the trailer
Show the answer
✓ D. Safety chains or brakes that can hold the trailer
When towing faster than 25 mph, you need safety chains or brakes able to hold the trailer if the coupling breaks.
Source: 2025-2027 Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Class D (2025-2027), page 30
3.How far away must your vehicle's horn be clearly heard to pass inspection?
- A50 feet
- B500 feet
- C100 feet
- D200 feet
Show the answer
✓ D. 200 feet
To pass the road-test inspection, a vehicle needs a horn that can be clearly heard for 200 feet.
Source: 2025-2027 Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Class D (2025-2027), page 6
4.From how far away must a trailer's rear lights and reflectors be visible?
- A500 feet
- B200 feet
- C1,000 feet
- D2,000 feet
Show the answer
✓ C. 1,000 feet
A trailer needs turn signals, stop lights, two red reflectors and two red taillights on the rear, visible for 1,000 feet.
Source: 2025-2027 Noncommercial Driver License Manual, Class D (2025-2027), page 30