North Dakota Century Code

N.D. Cent. Code § 39-20-03 (2026)

Consent of person incapable of refusal not withdrawn

✓ current as of May 2026
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Repealed by S.L. 2017, ch. 268, § 9. \n 39-20-03.1. Action following test result for a resident operator. If a person submits to a test under section 39-20-01 or 39-20-02 and the test shows that person to have an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to a person under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight at the time of the performance of a chemical test within two hours after the driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle, the following procedures apply:

1. The law enforcement officer shall immediately issue to that person a temporary operator's permit if the person then has valid operating privileges, extending driving privileges for the next twenty-five days, or until earlier terminated by the decision of a hearing officer under section 39-20-05. The law enforcement officer shall sign and note the date on the temporary operator's permit. The temporary operator's permit serves as the director's official notification to the person of the director's intent to revoke, suspend, or deny driving privileges in this state.

2. If a test administered under section 39-20-01 was by urine sample or by drawing blood as provided in section 39-20-02 and the individual tested is not a resident of an area in which the law enforcement officer has jurisdiction, the law enforcement officer shall, on receiving the analysis of the urine or blood from the director of the state crime\n\n Page No. 2 laboratory or the director's designee and if the analysis shows that individual had an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to an individual under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight, either proceed in accordance with subsection 1 during that individual's reappearance within the officer's jurisdiction, proceed in accordance with subsection 3, or notify a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction where the individual lives. On that notification, that law enforcement agency shall, within twenty-four hours, forward a copy of the temporary operator's permit to the law enforcement agency making the arrest or to the director. The law enforcement agency shall issue to that individual a temporary operator's permit as provided in this section, and shall sign and date the permit as provided in subsection 1.

3. If the test results indicate an alcohol concentration at or above the legal limit, the law enforcement agency making the arrest may mail a temporary operator's permit to the individual who submitted to the blood or urine test, whether or not the individual is a resident of the area in which the law enforcement officer has jurisdiction. The third day after the mailing of the temporary operator's permit is considered the date of issuance. Actual notice of the opportunity for a hearing under this section is deemed to have occurred seventy-two hours after the notice is mailed by regular mail to the address submitted by the individual to the law enforcement officer. The temporary operator's permit serves as the director's official notification to the individual of the director's intent to revoke, suspend, or deny driving privileges in this state.

4. The law enforcement officer, within five days of the issuance of the temporary operator's permit, shall forward to the director a certified written report in the form required by the director. If the individual was issued a temporary operator's permit because of the results of a test, the report must show that the officer had reasonable grounds to believe the individual had been driving or was in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while in violation of section 39-08-01, or equivalent ordinance, that the individual was lawfully arrested, that the individual was tested for alcohol concentration under this chapter, and that the results of the test show that the individual had an alcohol concentration of at least eight one-hundredths of one percent by weight or, with respect to an individual under twenty-one years of age, an alcohol concentration of at least two one-hundredths of one percent by weight. In addition to the operator's license and report, the law enforcement officer shall forward to the director a certified copy of the operational checklist and test records of a breath test and a copy of the certified copy of the analytical report for a blood or urine test for all tests administered at the direction of the officer.

5. An individual charged with a violation of section 39-08-01 or equivalent ordinance may elect to participate in the twenty-four seven sobriety program under chapter 54-12 in lieu of the administrative hearing under this chapter if the individual's driver's license is not subject to an unrelated suspension or revocation. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, an individual may not receive a temporary restricted operator's license until after fourteen days after the administrative hearing on the offense under this chapter has been waived or held, or after fourteen days of the final appeal, whichever is longer. The director shall issue a temporary restricted driver's license with the restriction the individual participate in the twenty-four seven sobriety program upon application by the individual with submission of proof of financial responsibility and proof of participation in the twenty-four seven sobriety program under chapter 54-12. \n

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 20 cases, 1963–2015 · leading case: Wilhelmi v. Dir. of the Dep't of Transp., 498 N.W.2d 150 (N.D. 1993).
Wilhelmi v. Dir. of the Dep't of Transp., 498 N.W.2d 150 (N.D. 1993). · cites it 12× “2, we viewed drawing blood from an incapacitated person differently: We note that had Hansen been incapacitated, the State had available to it Section 39-20-03, N.D.C.C., which provides, "[a]ny person who is dead, unconscious, or otherwise in a condition rendering him incapable…”
Colling v. Hjelle, 125 N.W.2d 453 (N.D. 1963). · cites it 12× “The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing such person except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03 under arrest and informing him that he is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in actual physical…”
State v. Erickson, 241 N.W.2d 854 (N.D. 1976). · cites it 5× “The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing such person except persons mentioned in Section 39-20-03 under arrest and informing him that he is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in actual physical…”
Pokrzywinski v. Dir., North Dakota Dep't of Transp., 2014 ND 131 (N.D. 2014). · cites it 6× “However, N.D.C.C. § 39-20-03 is almost identical to Minn.”
Asbridge v. North Dakota State High. Comm'r, 291 N.W.2d 739 (N.D. 1980). · cites it 2× “The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing such person except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03 under arrest and informing him that he is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in actual physical…”
Lund v. Hjelle, 224 N.W.2d 552 (N.D. 1974). · cites it 4× “The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing such person except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03 under arrest and informing him that he is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in actual physical…”
State v. Fields, 294 N.W.2d 404 (N.D. 1980). · cites it 2× “The test or tests shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing such person except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03 under arrest and informing him that he is or will be charged with the offense of driving or being in actual physical…”
City of Bismarck v. Hoffner, 379 N.W.2d 797 (N.D. 1985). · cites it 4× “Hoffner contends that Abrahamson was incorrectly decided because Chapter 39-20 requires that the test, to which there is an implied consent, "must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing the person, except persons mentioned in section…”
Grosgebauer v. North Dakota Dep't of Transp., 2008 ND 75 (N.D. 2008). · cites it 2× “Drivers who are unable to refuse by reason of being “dead, unconscious, or otherwise in a condition rendering the person incapable of refusal” may be tested, because they are “deemed not to have withdrawn [ ] consent.”
Fossum v. North Dakota Dep't of Transp., 2014 ND 47 (N.D. 2014). · cites it 2× “Hoffner contends that Abrahamson was incorrectly decided because Chapter 39-20 requires that the test, to which there is an implied consent, “must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing the person , except persons mentioned in section…”
Davis v. Dir., North Dakota Dep't of Transp., 467 N.W.2d 420 (N.D. 1991). · cites it 4× “, which reads: "The test or tests must be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer only after placing the person, except persons mentioned in section 39-20-03, under arrest and informing that person that the person is or will be charged with the offense of…”
State v. Woytassek, 491 N.W.2d 709 (N.D. 1992). · cites it 2× “or vehicle on a highway or on public or private areas to which the public has a right of access for vehicular use in this state is deemed to have given consent, and shall consent, subject to the provisions of this *712 chapter, to a chemical test, or tests, of the blood, breath,…”
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