Autonomous vehicles - North Dakota

Type of vehicles allowed

Non-CMV: Yes

CMV: Yes

Automation level allowed: SAE Level 5

Testing only: No

Platooning: Yes. “Platoon” means a group of motor vehicles using vehicle-to-vehicle communications to travel in a unified manner at close following distances on a multilane, limited-access, divided highway.

A platoon may not operate unless the platoon technology provider or the commercial motor vehicle operator files an operational plan with the DOT, and the plan is approved for general platoon operations.

Full operation: Yes.

• Compliance with state and federal law required. An autonomous vehicle (AV) must be capable of operating in compliance with all applicable federal and state law, except to the extent exempted, and may operate on the public highways of North Dakota if in full compliance with all vehicle:
  • Registration,
  • Title,
  • Insurance, and
  • All other applicable requirements for motor vehicles.
• Human driver not required. An AV with automated driving systems (ADS) engaged does not require a human driver to operate on the public highway if the AV is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition in case a system failure occurs which renders the ADS unable to perform the entire dynamic driving task (DDT) relevant to the vehicle’s intended operational design domain (ODD).
• Exempt from licensing requirement. An individual using an AV is not driving or in actual physical control and, therefore, is exempt from licensing requirements if:
  • The ADS is completing the entire DDT; and
  • The AV is capable of achieving a minimal risk condition if a system failure occurs that renders the ADS unable to perform the entire DDT relevant to the vehicle’s intended ODD.
• On-demand AV networks. An on-demand AV network may provide transportation of persons or goods, including:
  • For-hire transportation;
  • Public transportation; and
  • Transportation for multiple passengers who agree to share the ride.
• On-demand AV without driver. An on-demand AV network may connect passengers to AVs without human drivers in compliance with subsection 3 of section N.D. Cent. Code § 39-01-01.2 exclusively, or as part of a digital network that also connects passengers to human drivers who provide transportation services, consistent with applicable law.