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Rhode Island

It may be the smallest state, but getting your Rhode Island driver's license isn't a small task. Practice tests like the Rhode Island teen permit test and the Rhode Island new-to-state driver's license test make the task easier. Take one today!

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Rhode Island DMV Frequently Asked Questions

Table of Contents

  • After You Have Passed the Driving Exam (or Road Test)
  • Applying for Your Rhode Island License
  • Preparing For Your RI Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Preparing For Your RI Permit Test
  • Renewing Your RI License
  • Taking Your RI Driving Exam (Or Road Test)
  • Taking Your RI Permit Test
  • What If I Failed My Road Test?
  • What If I'm Moving to Rhode Island or Just Visiting?
When should my teen get car insurance?

Your teen should be insured once they're licensed and begin driving on their own (i.e., without another supervising licensed driver). Teens with learner's permits don't yet require insurance while they're driving under the supervision of a licensed adult.

If I'm under 18, are there any limits to my driver's license?

If you have a Rhode Island limited instruction permit, you may only drive with a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you who has been licensed themselves for at least 5 years.

If you have a limited provisional driver's license:

  • You may NOT drive between 1 AM and 5AM, unless you're going to and from school, work, religious services, or other parent-authorized events.
    • You may drive unsupervised between 4AM and 5AM if you're traveling between home and a school-sponsored sports event/activity without provided transportation.
  • During the first 12 months, you may only carry one passenger under 21 years old who is unrelated to you, unless you're supervised by an adult licensed driver.
  • During the second 6 months, you may only carry three passengers under 18 years old who are unrelated to you, unless you're supervised by an adult licensed driver.

What happens after I pass my RI road test?

Once you pass your road test, you must visit your local DMV location to have your photo taken and receive either your official driver's license or a temporary license until your photo license arrives in the mail.

Once I have my permit, who can I drive with?

You may drive only when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat at all times, who has held their license for at least 5 years.

Can I choose where I have my photo taken for my driver's license?

No, your photo will be taken at the licensing office where you apply.

Once I get my RI permit, what do I need to do before I can drive with my parents?

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

How To Get A Rhode Island Driver’s License

Learning to drive is exciting, but it’s also a huge responsibility. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires potential drivers to demonstrate knowledge and skills behind the wheel before allowing them the privilege of driving with no restrictions. This is required for all new drivers, as well as those moving to Rhode Island whose licenses have expired before arrival.

The requirements to obtain a RI driver’s license will vary slightly based on whether you are a minor or adult, as well as whether you’re applying for a standard license or a REAL ID-compliant license.

Instruction Permits for Rhode Island Drivers

Before applying for your first Rhode Island driver’s license, all applicants—regardless of age—must first obtain an instruction permit. You may apply for a RI instruction permit when you are at least 16 years old.

If you’re under 18 years old, you must FIRST complete a 33-hour Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI)-certified driver’s education course. You can enroll as young as 15 years old, but you can’t start your class until you’re at least 15 years and 10 months old.

Applicants who are 18 or older don’t need to fulfill any driver education requirement.

Whether or not you completed a Driver’s Ed course through CCRI will also dictate where you can apply for your instruction permit:

  • Those who passed a written exam through CCRI and received a green CCRI certificate can bring it to any DMV location to apply.
  • Those who took a state-approved Driver’s Ed course through a driving program other than CCRI must apply at the Cranston DMV location.
  • Adult applicants 18 and older, or anyone who is NOT required to complete a driver education course, must apply at the Cranston DMV location.

Once you’re eligible, visit your designated DMV office and submit:

  • A completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1).
    • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent and provide proof of ID or legal guardianship.
  • Provide proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Rhode Island residency.
    • Social Security number.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The RI DMV provides a complete guide to REAL IDs as well as a list of required documents. Acceptable proofs for non-compliant licenses can be found on the license application form.
  • Submit proof of your driver’s education program, if you’re younger than 18 years old.
  • Pass the:
    • Written knowledge exam, UNLESS you took and passed the CCRI-certified written exam during your driver education course.
    • Vision test.
  • Pay for the applicable permit fee:
    • Limited permit (under 18 years old): $12.50
    • Instructional permit (18 and older): $7.50

With your Rhode Island permit, you may only drive with a supervising licensed driver at least 21 years old seated next to you who has been licensed themselves for at least 5 years. If you’re under 18 years old, you must also:

  • Hold your permit for at least 6 months without any moving violations.
  • Complete at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice, with at least 10 hours driven at night.

If you’re at least 18 years old, you must hold your permit for at least 30 days before you can skip ahead to applying for your unrestricted license. For teen drivers, your next step is acquiring a limited provisional driver’s license.

Rhode Island Limited Provisional License for Minors

For drivers under 18 years old, the first license you’ll receive (after your permit) is a limited provisional license. To apply for your Rhode Island provisional driver’s license, you must have:

  • Held your learner’s permit for at least 6 months with no moving violations.
  • Completed your required practice driving hours—50 total, with 10 hours driven at night.

This is the step in which you’ll also need to pass your road test. You’ll need a safe vehicle in which to take your test, along with its registration and insurance.

Make an appointment for your road test and bring:

  • Your limited instruction permit.
  • A completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1), signed by your form to provide their consent (the must also provide proof of ID or legal guardianship).
  • The registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • A statement proving your 50 required practice hours, signed by your parent/guardian.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Social Security number.
    • Rhode Island residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The RI DMV provides a complete guide to REAL IDs as well as a list of required documents. Acceptable proofs for non-compliant licenses can be found on the license application form.
  • Payment for the:
    • $24.50 limited provisional license fee.
    • $27.50 road test fee.

Your first-year license will be restricted for 1 year. During this time, you may only drive while adhering to the following rules:

  • You may NOT drive between 1 AM and 5AM, unless you’re going to and from school, work, religious services, or other parent-authorized events.
    • You may drive unsupervised between 4AM and 5AM if you’re traveling between home and a school-sponsored sports event/activity without provided transportation.
  • During the first 12 months, you may only carry one passenger under 21 years old who is unrelated to you, unless you’re supervised by an adult licensed driver.
  • During the second 6 months, you may only carry three passengers under 18 years old who are unrelated to you, unless you’re supervised by an adult licensed driver.

These restrictions will end once you’re at least 17 years AND the full year has passed without any violations during the previous 6 months, or until you turn 18 years old—whichever happens first. You can either renew your license for an unrestricted one at 18 or apply for a duplicate early.

Unrestricted Driver’s Licenses for Adult RI Drivers

For adult first-time drivers, the next step after acquiring your Rhode Island instruction permit is taking your road test and applying for your unrestricted driver’s license. There are no required practice hours for adult applicants, but you must hold your instruction permit for at least 30 days before scheduling your appointment to take your road test.

At your road test appointment, you’ll need to provide:

  • Your instruction permit.
  • A completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1).
  • Registration and insurance for your testing vehicle.
  • Proof of your:
    • Identity.
    • Citizenship or authorized presence.
    • Social Security number
    • Rhode Island residency.
      • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The RI DMV provides a complete guide to REAL IDs as well as a list of required documents. Acceptable proofs for non-compliant licenses can be found on the license application form.
  • Payment for the:
    • $39.50 license fee.
    • $27.50 road test fee.

Driver’s License Requirements for New Rhode Island Residents

If you hold an out-of-state license and move to Rhode Island, you must apply for your RI driver’s license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

If your license has been expired for longer than 5 years, you must first pass the written exam at the Cranston DMV office and obtain an instruction permit before returning to take a road test at the Providence office and apply for your full RI driver’s license.

To transfer your valid/unexpired license to Rhode Island, visit your local driver license station and:

  • Hand in your out-of-state license.
  • Pass a vision test.
    • If your out-of-state license is still valid, you won’t have to take a written test or road skills exam.
  • Submit your:
    • Completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1).
      • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
    • Proof of your:
      • Identity.
      • Citizenship or authorized presence.
      • Social Security number.
      • Rhode Island residency.
        • Your acceptable documents will differ slightly based on whether you want a federally compliant REAL ID or a non-compliant license. The RI DMV provides a complete guide to REAL IDs as well as a list of required documents. Acceptable proofs for non-compliant licenses can be found on the license application form.
  • Pay the $44.50 license transfer fee.

Rhode Island DMV Motorcycle Permit & License Info

To apply for a Rhode Island motorcycle endorsement, you must first have a valid RI driver’s license and be at least 16 years old. If you’re under 18 years old, you must also first go through the graduated licensing process outlined above.

All applicants, regardless of age, must first complete a CCRI motorcycle safety course before obtaining a motorcycle permit and then a motorcycle endorsement.

Rhode Island Motorcycle Safety Course

New RI motorcycle applicants must complete a Basic Rider Course (BRC) administered by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). This 13-hour course gives you the practice and mastery you need to successfully pass your motorcycle skills test. If you’re under 18 years old, you’ll need your parent/guardian to complete a Minor Release Agreement Form and have it notarized.

The BRC includes a written knowledge test and on-cycle skills exam. You must apply for your Rhode Island motorcycle permit through the DMV within 6 months of passing your course. If you miss this deadline, you’ll need to take another skills test for a $60 fee.

Applying for a RI Motorcycle Permit and Endorsement

Once you’ve passed your BRC program, visit your local DMV office to apply for your motorcycle permit. You’ll need:

  • Your RI driver’s license.
  • A completed Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1).
    • If you’re younger than 18 years old, your parent/guardian must sign your form to provide their consent.
  • The CCRI BRC completion certificate.
  • Payment for the $27.50 motorcycle permit fee.

You must hold your permit for at least 30 days without any traffic violations. After this period, you can return to apply for an endorsement to be added to your Rhode Island driver’s license. Bring your permit, driver’s license, and another completed application form.

Rhode Island CDL Requirements

To drive a commercial vehicle in Rhode Island, you must be at least 18 years old. To drive across state lines or to carry hazardous materials you must be at least 21 years old.

Regardless of age, to get your commercial driver’s license (CDL), you must first:

  1. Have a valid Rhode Island driver’s license.
  2. Obtain and hold a commercial learner’s permit (CLP) for at least 2 weeks.

Getting Your RI Commercial Learner’s Permit

To get your CLP, visit the Cranston DMV office with:

At your appointment, you’ll take the written knowledge test and a vision exam before receiving your commercial learner permit.

Your CLP will be valid for 180 days, during which time you can practice for your commercial driver’s license road test. You can only drive when accompanied by another CDL holder in the front seat next to you who has their own CDL of the appropriate class and proper endorsements for the vehicle you’re practicing in.

Applying for a RI Commercial Driver’s License

After practicing with your CLP and holding it for at least 2 weeks, you are eligible to apply for your full Rhode Island commercial driver’s license. Skills tests are administered by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). The DMV offers an instructional guide to scheduling and passing your skills test.

At your test, bring:

  • Your CLP and Rhode Island driver’s license.
  • A vehicle representative of the class and type you’ll be driving, which meets all safety standards, plus its registration and insurance.
  • Your required medical cards, if applicable.
  • Payment for the $100 testing fee.

Rhode Island DMV Handbooks

Rhode Island CDL Handbook

Rhode Island CDL Handbook

Rhode Island CDL Handbook
Rhode Island Driver's License Handbook

Rhode Island Driver's License Handbook

Rhode Island Driver's License Handbook
Rhode Island Motorcycle Handbook

Rhode Island Motorcycle Handbook

Rhode Island Motorcycle Handbook