Welcome to the On the Move newsletter, your gateway to the latest developments and initiatives brought to you by the North Dakota Department of Transportation. Whether you're a commuter, a contractor, or simply interested in the future of mobility, our newsletter keeps you updated on infrastructure projects, safety measures, and innovative technologies shaping the way we move.
September 2025 Edition
Flex Fund applications due Sept. 19
Time is running out to apply for the Flexible Transportation Fund program, better known as the Flex Fund. Applications must be submitted by Friday, Sept. 19.
The Flex Fund provides grants for projects that improve safety, boost efficiency and connectivity, and reduce long-term maintenance costs.
This round includes funding for non-oil townships, non-oil counties and cities, and bridge projects. In total, about $116 million will be awarded to local public agencies across the state.
If you have a project in mind, now is the time to apply. NDDOT expects the selection process to wrap up by the end of the year.
For details on the program and to start your application, click below.
Matt Dietrich recognized nationally with AASHTO Technician of the Year award
We’re proud to share that Matt Dietrich, transportation senior manager with NDDOT’s Materials and Research Division, has been named the AASHTO Committee on Materials & Pavement's Technician of the Year.
This national award recognizes DOT employees who not only excel in their regular duties but also demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to public service.
Matt’s nomination stood out among peers from across the country. Having worked at NDDOT since 2007, Matt is a seasoned leader in our Materials and Research Division, with a wealth of knowledge and experience who consistently goes above and beyond to support the department and elevate the work of his team. His leadership has helped improve lab operations, ensured high-quality standards and fostered professional development among his colleagues.
“Technicians play an important role in supporting a materials testing laboratory and that support helps maintain a thriving state transportation system,” said Amy Beise, division engineer for NDDOT’s Materials and Research Division. “Matt shows great leadership through his communication, accountability, and dedication to his team and the division. This is an incredible recognition of Matt's dedication and hard work.”
The Technician of the Year award is a new national recognition created by AASHTO’s Committee on Materials & Pavements (COMP) to highlight outstanding service within state DOTs. Each state could submit only one nominee. From there, nominees were reviewed by a steering committee, and one national winner was chosen from a group of honorees.
Matt’s recognition shines a spotlight on the vital work happening behind the scenes to ensure the safety and reliability of our state’s infrastructure. Congratulations, Matt and thank you for representing NDDOT with excellence!
Matt Linneman presents Matt Dietrich with his AASHTO Technician of the Year award.
The way to school shouldn’t be in harm’s way
School buses are among the safest vehicles on the road, but everyone plays a role in keeping kids safe.
For Drivers
- Stop when red lights flash or stop arm is out (two-lane and multi-lane roads).
- Wait until the stop arm retracts and lights stop before proceeding with caution.
It's North Dakota Law
- Passing a school bus with flashing lights or an extended stop arm = $250 fine.
- Second or subsequent offense within five years = minimum $750 fine.
For Students
- Be Patient: Stand back from the road and wait for the driver’s signal to cross.
- Be Respectful: Stay seated and use quiet voices.
- Be Aware: Look for traffic, especially cars passing on the shoulder.
Together, we can make sure the ride to and from school is safe for everyone.
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Driver License and Motor Vehicle defy stereotypes thanks to modernization and dedicated staff
“Hello. I was at the DMV this morning to obtain a Real ID. I did have almost everything I needed. Instead of sending me back home, this lady, Aya, went beyond any regular customer service. She was patient, kind, and suggested different options for my issue. She helped in a way that definitely left a lasting impact on my future opinions about your department. Thank you.”
– Customer email
Feedback like this isn’t rare at NDDOT – despite outdated stereotypes. Jokes and negative opinions about long waits, red tape and exhausted public servants are so much a part of American pop culture that there is a network sitcom about a DMV set to launch this fall. (Fun fact: What’s commonly known as the DMV, or Department of Motor Vehicles, is actually called the Driver License Division in North Dakota.)
So, it might be surprising that North Dakotans rank their satisfaction at 94% after visiting a Driver License or Motor Vehicle office.
“That’s extremely high,” said Director of Driver License and Vehicle Services Brad Schaffer. “Other states can’t believe we use a feedback system because their satisfaction rates are so low. Our high rating is definitely because of all the advancements we’ve made through the years and our dedicated and friendly staff.”
Driver License and Motor Vehicle have gone through significant change in recent years and the team hasn’t just kept up, they’ve gone above and beyond. Here’s a quick look at the progress that’s making service in North Dakota better than ever:
- 2010 – Adopted an appointment management system, reducing wait times from over an hour to under 10 minutes.
- 2020 – COVID-19 shuts down North Dakota. After re-opening, it was all hands on deck and offices later operated six days a week to get through the backlog of road tests. “That summer was organized chaos, very busy. I think it took all of 2020 to return to a ‘new normal,’” Schaffer said.
Launched the NDDOT mobile app NDDrive. All online and kiosk services are included in the app, allowing the public to do business with NDDOT 24/7. - 2021 – Online knowledge testing system launched allowing North Dakotans to complete their tests at home.
Rolled out Kiosk program with eight machines and expanded to 52 machines in communities across the state, bringing services closer to thousands of North Dakotans.
Introduced “Happy or Not” customer feedback system in Driver License offices and online to help gauge our service to the public. 2022 – Fall – Motor Vehicle paperwork overhaul begins. “Anytime a car is sold in North Dakota, the majority of the paperwork comes to Bismarck and we process it, issue a title and license plates, and mail it out. That process was taking 8-9 weeks ,” Schaffer said. “ It was customer feedback and our desire to do better that prompted the overhaul. We really pride ourselves on that customer experience and we didn’t want to be that far behind on anything.”
By spring, Motor Vehicle paperwork had reached a one-week turnaround. “With our new processes, turnaround times have decreased dramatically,” Schaffer said.
- 2023 – Debuted new driver license design with enhanced digital security features. “We’re on our fourth iteration of the digitized cards,” Schaffer said. “We keep updating the cards because security features dramatically change. We’re always trying to implement the latest and most effective measures to protect identities.”
- 2025 – Real ID becomes a requirement on May 7. As of today, 70% of North Dakota drivers have Real IDs.
- 2025 – Blackout plates debut after being proposed by the Legislature in response to citizen demand.
And most recently, Mobile IDs will be available to North Dakota drivers within the next month and enables North Dakotans to add a driver’s license or state ID to a digital wallet. This allows them to seamlessly and securely present their IDs using their mobile device.
All of these advancements – from new technology to streamlined services – have one thing in common: they don’t happen without the people behind them. It’s the dedication, innovation, and customer-first mindset of our Driver License and Motor Vehicle teams that make the difference. Thanks to their hard work, North Dakotans experience service that consistently exceeds expectations.
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