Section 39-06-17 - Restricted licenses - Penalty for violation1. Upon issuing an operator's license or a temporary restricted operator's license under section 39-06.1-11, the director may impose restrictions suitable to a licensee's driving ability with respect to the type of motor vehicle, special mechanical control devices required on a motor vehicle that the licensee may operate, or any other restrictions applicable to the licensee as the director may determine to be appropriate to assure the safe operation of a motor vehicle by the licensee. The director may either issue a special restricted class D license or may state the restrictions upon the usual license form. In the same manner, the director shall restrict licenses under section 39-16.1-09.2. The director may issue a restricted class D license to operate the parent's, guardian's, grandparent's, sibling's, aunt's, or uncle's automobile to a minor, who is at least fifteen years of age, and otherwise qualified, upon the written recommendation of the parent or guardian. A minor may operate a motor vehicle that is not the parent's or guardian's to take the actual ability test. The parent, guardian, grandparent, sibling, aunt, or uncle at all times is responsible for any and all damages growing out of the negligent operation of a motor vehicle by a minor. A restricted class D license may not be issued to a minor unless the minor, accompanied by the parent or guardian, appears in person and satisfies the director that:a. The minor is at least fifteen years of age;b. The minor is qualified to operate an automobile safely;c. It is necessary for the child to drive the parent's, guardian's, grandparent's, sibling's, aunt's, or uncle's automobile without being accompanied by an adult;d. The minor has successfully completed an approved driver's education course that includes a course of classroom instruction and a course of behind-the-wheel instruction acceptable to the director or has successfully completed a course at an approved commercial driver training school; ande. The minor has accumulated a minimum of fifty hours of supervised, behind-the-wheel driving experience in various driving conditions and situations that include night driving; driving on gravel, dirt, or aggregate surface road; driving in both rural and urban conditions; and winter driving conditions.3. The provisions of subsection 2 do not authorize a minor to drive a commercial truck, motorbus, or taxicab except the holder of a restricted class D license may drive a farm motor vehicle having a gross weight of fifty thousand pounds [22679.62 kilograms] while used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies to or from a farm when so operated within one hundred fifty miles [241.40 kilometers] of the driver's farm.4. A minor with a restricted class D license issued under subsection 2 may operate the type or class of motor vehicle specified on the restricted license under the following conditions: a. A restricted licenseholder must be in possession of the license while operating the motor vehicle.b. An individual holding a restricted class D license driving a motor vehicle may not carry more passengers than the vehicle manufacturer's suggested passenger capacity.c. An individual holding a restricted class D license driving a motor vehicle may not operate an electronic communication device to talk, compose, read, or send an electronic message while operating a motor vehicle that is in motion unless the sole purpose of operating the device is to obtain emergency assistance, to prevent a crime about to be committed, or in the reasonable belief that an individual's life or safety is in danger.d. An individual holding a restricted class D license may not operate a motor vehicle between the later of sunset or nine p.m. and five a.m. unless a parent, legal guardian, or an individual eighteen years of age or older is in the front seat of the motor vehicle or the motor vehicle is being driven directly to or from work, an official school activity, or a religious activity.5. Upon receiving satisfactory evidence of any violation of the restrictions of a license, the director may suspend or revoke the license but the licensee is entitled to a hearing as upon a suspension or revocation under this chapter.6. It is a class B misdemeanor for an individual to operate a motor vehicle in any manner in violation of the restrictions imposed under this section except for the restrictions in subsection 4.7. If a temporary restricted license is issued under section 39-06.1-11 and the underlying suspension was imposed for a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance, or is governed by chapter 39-20, punishment is as provided in subsection 2 of section 39-06-42. Upon receiving notice of the conviction the director shall revoke, without opportunity for hearing, the licensee's temporary restricted license and shall extend the underlying suspension for a like period of not more than one year.8. If the conviction referred to in this section is reversed by an appellate court, the director shall restore the individual to the status held by the individual before the conviction, including restoration of driving privileges if appropriate.Amended by S.L. 2013 , ch. 292( HB 1027 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2013.Amended by S.L. 2013 , ch. 291( SB 2039 ), § 25, eff. 7/1/2013.Amended by S.L. 2011 , ch. 276( SB 2346 ), § 1, eff. 8/1/2011.Amended by S.L. 2011 , ch. 272( HB 1256 ), § 4, eff. 8/1/2011.