A provision in HB1298 bars North Dakota cities from doubling speeding fines through local ordinance—a change that directly affects your fine exposure on city roads.
Most North Dakota trucking and transportation owners don't realize that cities have had the legal power to nearly double their speeding fines. Until now.
HB1298, a bill addressing speed limits and traffic penalties, contains a provision that removes one significant source of fine variability for commercial drivers operating within city limits. Understanding this change matters if you run a fleet, manage deliveries, or operate sales routes across North Dakota municipalities.
Under previous law, North Dakota cities could set traffic fines up to 100% above the state fee schedule for all violations—including speeding. That meant a speeding violation that carried a $100 state fine could legally cost $200 or more if you were cited within a city's jurisdiction, depending on local ordinance.
Section 5 of HB1298 (found on Page 5 of the bill) carves out speed-limit violations from this local authority. Cities can no longer use ordinance to double speeding fines. The provision directly caps fine exposure for commercial drivers cited for speeding violations within city limits.
Cities retain authority to set fines above state schedules for other traffic violations—parking, equipment, registration, and other infractions. The restriction applies only to speed-limit violations.
This change matters most to owners and operators of commercial vehicles: delivery services, trucking companies, sales representatives, and any fleet that regularly operates on city streets. Your drivers are more likely to receive traffic citations than average motorists, and the cumulative cost of fines—especially doubled fines—can add up quickly across a fleet.
If your operation includes routes through multiple North Dakota cities, you previously faced unpredictable fine exposure depending on which municipality issued a citation. HB1298 creates consistency: speeding fines are now capped at the state fee schedule, regardless of city boundaries.
HB1298 was introduced in the 2025 North Dakota legislative session. The bill does not specify an explicit effective date in the text; it is presumed to take effect upon enactment. You should confirm the current status with the North Dakota Legislative Assembly or your state representative, as implementation details may be clarified during the session.
Review your current fine-management practices and driver training materials. If your fleet has been accounting for doubled city fines in budget planning, this provision reduces that exposure going forward. However, continue emphasizing safe driving and speed-limit compliance—the baseline state fines still apply, and safety remains the priority.
If you operate across state lines or in multiple jurisdictions, remember this change applies only to North Dakota cities. Other states may maintain different rules.
Source: HB1298, Section 5, Page 5; North Dakota Legislative Assembly, 2025 session.