Car Issues That Could Get You Pulled Over in North Dakota

Driving in North Dakota can be a breeze—wide open roads, stunning scenery, and maybe a cow or two to keep things interesting. But even in the Peace Garden State, the long arm of the law is keeping an eye out for cars with some less-than-legal quirks. Here are five common car issues that might have you pulled over faster than you can say, "Oh no, not today!"

Expired Tags/Registration

If your tags are older than that leftover casserole in the fridge, it's time to take care of business! North Dakota's finest don't take kindly to outdated registration. Those little stickers on your plates may seem small, but they pack a mighty punch when they’re out of date.

Broken Headlights/Taillights
Sure, North Dakota nights might be long and full of stars, but that's no excuse to drive around in stealth mode. If one of your headlights or taillights is out, you're just asking for a ticket. And don’t think the "I didn’t know it was out" excuse will fly either—law enforcement has heard it all before!

Muddy or Missing License Plates

You need both front and back plates in North Dakota, and they better be readable. While mud might be a badge of honor in some parts of the state (hello, farm life!), it’s not the best idea to let it cake over your plates. If an officer can’t read your numbers, you might be seeing red and blue lights in your rearview.

Broken Turn Signals

Signal, turn, repeat. It's one of the simplest rules of the road, yet some cars seem to think they're above it. If your turn signals are broken or you’ve ignored them, that’s a surefire way to annoy both other drivers and the police. Do yourself a favor and get those signals fixed before it’s too late.

Missing Side Mirror

Sure, it may have just fallen off (it happens!), but missing a side mirror is like trying to drive blindfolded. Not only does it make merging a nightmare, but it's also illegal. The North Dakota State Patrol has a good eye for spotting this issue, so it’s best to replace that mirror pronto.

Stay on top of these small issues to keep the peace on the Peace Garden State’s roads!