Who is authorized to revoke an individual's driving license?

The authority to revoke an individual's driving license can rest in various hands depending on the context and circumstances surrounding the violation. In North Dakota, the Department of Transportation (DOT) plays a primary role in managing driving licenses and has the authority to revoke them based on traffic violations, accumulation of points, or failure to comply with laws related to motor vehicle operation.

While it's common for law enforcement (police) to initiate the process that leads to revocation (for example, by issuing a ticket or making an arrest), the ultimate authority to officially revoke a license lies with the DOT. Judges also have a role in certain situations, particularly when a court order results in the suspension or revocation of driving privileges due to legal proceedings or criminal convictions related to driving offenses.

In addition to the DOT and courts, parents may also have the capacity to influence a minor’s driving privileges by enforcing rules and discussing driving behavior with their children, although they do not have formal revocation authority. Thus, a combination of these factors contributes to the understanding that a collective group can have an impact, but the formal direct authority is primarily found within the DOT and judicial system, not exclusively with any single entity.