Rhode Island

If you're simply visiting Rhode Island, you can drive with your out-of-state license throughout your stay, as long as you maintain residency elsewhere. If you establish residency within the state, you must exchange your out-of-state license for a Rhode Island driver's license within 30 days.

No. If you have a learner's permit from a different state, you must transfer it immediately to a Rhode Island permit, and it must meet all of the qualifications for a RI instruction permit.

If you have an unrestricted out-of-state driver's license, you do not need to pass the road test if it's currently valid/unexpired for 5 years or less. If it has expired for more than 5 years, you must take both the knowledge and skills tests.

You may need to pass a vision exam if your renewal notice states so.

Typically no; most drivers must renew online or in person. Some drivers such as those located out of state may be able renew by mail; contact your local DMV office for specifics.

Yes, drivers are encouraged to renew your license online if your renewal notice states that you're eligible to do so.

If you're transitioning from a non-compliant license to a REAL ID license, you'll need to do your renewal in person (this is a one-time requirement so you can submit your additional identity documents).

To renew online, you do not need any specific documents, but you will need to provide information pertaining to your identity and license status, plus valid payment information. This includes:

• Your first and last name as it appears on your current driver's license.
• Your date of birth.
• Your street address.
• Your driver's license number.
• Your Social Security number.

You'll also need payment for the applicable renewal fees, based on your age:

• Up to 70 years old: $92.50 for 5 years
• Age 70 and older: $44.50 for 2 years

To renew in person, you will need all documents listed on your renewal form, plus payment for your renewal fee.

Yes, all new drivers in Rhode Island must obtain a learner's license prior to applying for a driver's license.

If you fail your first driving test attempt, your examiner will let you know your next steps. Practice the skills you failed with your supervising driver until you're able to come back for a retest.

You must wait at least 30 days before you can schedule another exam. If you fail a subsequent test, you must then wait 90 days. If you fail three or more road tests, you must wait at least 180 days between each subsequent retest.

You must wait at least 30 days before you can schedule another exam. If you fail a subsequent test, you must then wait 90 days. If you fail three or more road tests, you must wait at least 180 days between each subsequent retest.

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 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.

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.

• Limited permit (under age 18 years): $12.50
• Instructional permit (age 18 or older): $7.50
• Motorcycle permit: $27.50
• Limited provisional license (under age 18): $24.50
• Unrestricted license (18 and older): $39.50

No, there is no one else permitted to be in the vehicle during your road exam except for your examiner.

No. The knowledge test is a prerequisite to taking your road test. Once you have passed the knowledge test, you do not need to take it again to get your license.

You should be prepared to do the following during your road test:

• Properly adjust the seat, mirrors, steering wheel, and seat belts.
• Operate vehicle equipment such as windshield wipers and washers, heater and defroster, parking brake, headlights, and the horn.
• Respond to traffic control signs and signals.
• Interact with other motorists (e.g., yielding right-of-way correctly, responding to emergency vehicles).
• Back up and park your vehicle.
• Display proficiency in basic driving skills such as stopping and turning.
• Recognize any warning lights that may appear on your instrument panel.
• Execute other driving maneuvers as the inspector requires.

The biggest tip is to study the Rhode Island Operator's Manual! Everything you need to know to pass your skills exam is in the guide.

A licensed driver at least 21 years old may bring you to your driving test.

The vehicle you use for your road test must meet the following standards:

• It should be appropriate for the license class for which you are applying.
• It should have a valid registration certificate.
• It should have proof of insurance.
• It should comply with RI laws regarding tinted windows.
• It should not have an Ignition Interlock Device (unless you are required by law to use one).

The road test will not be conducted if the vehicle is deemed to be unsafe. Common reasons why vehicles are deemed unsafe include the following:

• The windows are illegally tinted.
• The brake lights or turn signals are defective.
• The tires are worn or damaged.
• One or more lug nuts are missing.
• A seatbelt is defective.
• The speedometer is defective.
• The brakes are defective.
• Other equipment is defective or missing.

Road tests are administered at driver licensing exam stations throughout the state.

Schedule your appointment online to take your road test at a local driver license office.

After passing your RI permit exam, applicants under 18 years old will need to:

• Hold their permit for at least 6 months with no traffic violations.
• Complete the 50 required practice hours of driving.

Once the above requirements have been met, you can take your road skills exam for your limited provisional license.

If you're at least 18 years old when earning your permit, there are no required driving hours or holding periods before taking your road test.

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.

If you fail your exam, your examiner will let you know what the waiting period is before you can retest.

If you fail your exam, you'll receive instructions on how and when you'll be allowed to retest.

No, there is no drug test involved.

No. If you're worried about passing the knowledge test, try taking some of our free practice tests to help you prepare.

If you are under 18, your parent or guardian must accompany you to co-sign your application to give their consent. If you are at least 18 years old, no one needs to accompany you for your permit exam.

• Limited permit (under age 18 years): $12.50
• Instructional permit (age 18 or older): $7.50
• Motorcycle permit: $27.50
• Limited provisional license (under age 18): $24.50
• Unrestricted license (18 and older): $39.50

Most applicants under age 18 will actually take the permit test as part of your required 33-hour driver education program. Your Driver's Ed instructor will let you know what you need for your test.

Once you've passed your test, you'll need the following in order to apply for your permit:

• 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.
• 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.
• Proof of your driver's education program, if you're younger than 18 years old. This will be either:
  • A green CCRI certificate.
  • A completion form from a non-CCRI driver education program.
• Payment for the $12.50 limited permit fee.

You may apply for your learner's permit once you're at least 16 years old, AND you have completed a CCRI-certified driver education program if you're under 18 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. 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

Some examples of potential questions include:

You must use your headlights:

1. At all times
2. Between sundown and sunrise
3. Only during poor weather

The maximum posted speed limit in residential areas is:

1. 15 MPH
2. 25 MPH
3. 35 MPH

If the roadway is wet or icy you should:

1. Follow the posted speed limit
2. Reduce your speed
3. Speed up

Find more sample questions on a free Rhode Island practice test.

If you wish to earn your learner's license before you're 18 years old, you must first take a state-approved 33-hour driver education program.

The Rhode Island Operator's Manual is available online and at your local driver licensing office.

The Rhode Island Driver's Manual has everything you need to pass your permit test. It's also a good idea to use a free practice test to get ready for the testing format and prepare yourself for the actual experience of taking the exam.

Once you pass your road test, visit your local DMV office to apply for your license. The licensing agent will give you either your official license or a temporary paper license to use until your photo license arrives in the mail. Call your local licensing office for specifics.

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

Yes, your vision test occurs during your learner permit application.

No, a physical exam isn't required for a Rhode Island instruction permit.

If you're under 18 years old, you'll actually take the permit test as part of your required 33-hour driver education program. Your Driver's Ed instructor will let you know what you need for your test.

For permit applicants 18 and older, you'll take the permit test at the DMV office. You'll need:

• 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.
• 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.
• Payment for the $7.50 instruction permit fee.

You can contact your local driver licensing office by phone. You can contact the state Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters by phone.

Visit your local driver license station. If you're transferring an expired out-of-state license to Rhode Island, you must apply at the Cranston DMV headquarters.

Examples of proof of legal presence include your original birth certificate or your valid U.S. passport.

To apply for your Rhode Island driver's license when you're at least 18 years old, you'll need:

• 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.

You'll need:

• 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.

You may apply for your learner's permit once you're 16 years old and have completed a CCRI-certified 33-hour driver education program. Otherwise, you must be at least 18 years old.

If you hold an instruction permit, you may only drive with a licensed supervising driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat at all times. This person must have held their own license for at least 5 years.

If you have a limited provisional 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.

If you're 18 or older, you can get your driver's license once you've held your instruction permit for at least 30 days.

If you're under 18 years old, you can get a limited provisional driver's license once you're at least 16 years old and 6 months old, have held a learner's permit for at least 6 months, and have completed your required practice hours.

You may only drive with your Rhode Island instruction permit when accompanied by a licensed supervising driver at least 21 years old sitting in the front seat at all times. They must have held their license for at least 5 years.

You may begin practicing with your parents right away.

You must fill out an Application for License, Identification Card, and Permit (form LI-1).

To get your permit, you must pass a knowledge test and a vision exam. To get your driver's license, you must also pass an on-road driving skills test.

Rhode Island drivers under 18 years old must complete a 33-hour driver education program administered or certified by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). Applicants 18 and older are not required to complete driver education.

Before earning your instruction permit in Rhode Island, you must first be at least 16 years old; if you're under 18, you must also have a certificate of completion from your CCRI driver education program.

To apply for your RI instruction permit, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Have completed a CCRI driver education program, if you're under 18 years old.

To apply for a RI limited provisional license, you must:

• Be at least 16 years and 6 months old.
• Have earned your learner license and held it for at least 6 months.
• Complete at least 50 hours of behind-the-wheel practice.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

To apply for a first-time license as an adult in Rhode Island, you must:

• Have earned your instruction permit and held it for at least 30 days.
• Pass the driving skills road test.

You can take your road test once you have:

• Earned your instruction permit and held it for at least:
  • 6 months, if you're under 18 years old.
  • 30 days, if you're 18 or older.
• Completed your behind-the-wheel practice hours, if you're under 18 years old.

You can renew your RI driver's license in person or online. Your renewal notice will state which option(s) you're eligible for.

Driver's licenses in Rhode Island expire every 2-5 years, depending on your age. You should receive a notice prior to its expiration.

• Up to 70 years old: $92.50 for 5 years
• Age 70 and older: $44.50 for 2 years

You must obtain a Rhode Island license within 30 days of establishing residency in the state.

No, you must take your knowledge test in person at a driver licensing office or during your driver's education program.

You can take the knowledge exam as many times as needed to pass.

Yes.

Have your glasses or contact lenses, if you need them, as well as all of your required proofs of identity. If you're under 18 years old, have your parent or guardian there to sign your application.

The Rhode Island permit exam will test you on topics such as road signs, state driving laws, right-of-way procedures, driving safety requirements, and more. You can find examples of topics in the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, as well as on free practice tests to help you prepare for your exam.

Appointments are not required for knowledge tests.

Contact your local driver licensing office to see if they offer Saturday appointments.

You will have 90 minutes to complete your exam.

You may be able to apply for a hardship license, which allows you to drive solely for specific purposes like education or employment.

Requirements will vary based on your personal circumstances and why your license was initially suspended. Most applicants will first need to obtain a court recommendation.

You can request a hardship license by petitioning the court to grant permission/recommendation for a probationary license. Once you've been granted a license, visit your local DMV office with:

• Your court order.
• Proof of an ignition interlock device (IID) installation, if applicable.
• Payment for the $27.50 hardship restriction on your license, plus $100 if you were ordered to install an IID.

Your restriction period will vary based on a number of factors, including your specific violation or reason for restriction, and whether it's a first offense or you have a repeated history of offenses.

Your exam will be computer-based.