As of 2025, North Dakota has not implemented any new statewide prohibitions or significant updates regarding the right turn on red rule. The current regulations remain consistent with longstanding state law and guidance from the North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT).
Key Points of the Right Turn on Red Rule in North Dakota (2025):
General Permission: Drivers are allowed to make a right turn on a red traffic signal after coming to a complete stop, provided the intersection is clear of pedestrians and vehicles and there is no sign prohibiting the maneuver.
Prohibited Where Posted: If a sign is present at the intersection indicating “No Right Turn on Red,” turning right on red is not permitted.
Left Turn on Red: In certain situations, a left turn on a red light is also permitted—specifically, from a one-way street onto another one-way street, unless a sign prohibits it.
Yielding and Safety: Drivers must yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians and vehicles already in the intersection before making the turn.
No Recent Bans: Unlike some larger cities and other states that have considered or implemented bans on right turns on red—such as Washington D.C., Ann Arbor (MI), and San Francisco—North Dakota has not announced any plans to eliminate this rule.
Additional Context:
Driver Awareness: Some drivers may hesitate or choose not to turn right on red, but this is not due to a recent rule change. The law still permits the maneuver unless otherwise posted.
Comparison with Neighboring States: South Dakota, for example, updated its right turn on red rules in 2025 to emphasize clearer signage and stricter penalties for violations, but North Dakota has not enacted similar changes.
Sources:
1. https://hot975fm.com/is-north-dakota-getting-rid-of-right-turn-on-red/
2. https://1037theloon.com/right-turn-red-light-rules/
