Rhode Island Driver's License FAQs

Individuals aged 18 or older with an instructional permit are not required to have a supervising driver and may drive alone in Rhode Island.

Individuals aged 18 or older with an instructional permit are not required to have a supervising driver and may drive alone in RI.

Yes, you can register a car in Rhode Island with a learner's permit. There is no requirement to have a full driver's license to register a vehicle. However, you must provide valid identification and meet all other registration requirements.

Individuals can apply for a learner's permit at the age of 16 in Rhode Island.

To obtain a learner's permit in Rhode Island, resident applicants must provide proof of identity, residency, and Social Security number. For non-citizens, additional documents such as an I-20, I-94, and a valid passport may be required.

An RI learner's permit is valid for one year from the date of issuance. The applicant must reapply and retake the necessary tests if the permit expires before obtaining a driver's license.

Yes, individuals under 18 with a learner's permit in Rhode Island must:

• Be accompanied by a supervising driver who is at least 21 years old and has held a valid driver's license for at least five years.
• Not drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. unless traveling to or from work, a school-sponsored activity, or for religious purposes.

After obtaining a learner's permit, individuals under 18 must:

The process is slightly different for individuals 18 and older. They must:

• Complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 hours at night
• Hold the permit for at least six months without any traffic violations
• Take the road skills test to obtain a provisional driver's license
• Hold the learner's permit for at least 30 days
• Practice driving
• Pass the road skills test for a full driver's license

Yes, during the first 12 months of holding a learner’s permit, drivers are restricted to carrying no more than one passenger under the age of 21 who is not an immediate family member.

Violating learner's permit restrictions, such as driving without a supervising adult, is considered driving without a license. Other infractions can result in fines ranging from $85 for a first offense to $100 for subsequent offenses.

Yes, individuals under 18 must complete a 33-hour driver education course to be eligible for a learner's permit.

To obtain a driver's license in Rhode Island, you must:

1. Complete a 33-hour driver education course and pass the written knowledge test to obtain a learner's permit.
2. Accumulate 50 hours of supervised driving experience, including 10 hours at night, while holding the learner's permit.
3. Schedule and pass the road skills test.
4. Upon passing the road test, you will be issued a provisional license if under 18, or a full operator's license if 18 or older.

To apply for a full driver's license in Rhode Island, individuals must be at least 18 years old. However, those under 18 must first hold a provisional license for at least 12 months before obtaining a full license.

You must provide the following documents to apply for a driver’s license:

• Proof of identity (e.g., birth certificate, passport)
• Proof of Rhode Island residency (e.g., utility bill, bank statement)
• Social Security Number or proof of your SSN
• Proof of legal presence (e.g., a permanent resident card if you're a non-citizen)

Yes, with a provisional driver’s license, you can drive alone. However, certain restrictions apply, such as no driving between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m., unless you are going to or from work, a school event, or a religious activity.

To upgrade to a full driver’s license from a provisional one, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Have held your provisional license for at least 12 months
• Have a clean driving record (no violations)

Yes, drivers under 21 cannot carry passengers under 21 unless they are immediate family members for the first 12 months of holding a provisional license. Additionally, they cannot drive between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. without an exception.

You must hold a provisional license for at least 12 months with no violations before you can upgrade to a full driver's license.

Rhode Island has several classes of driver's licenses, including:

• Class D – Standard driver’s license for operating passenger vehicles.
• Class A CDL – For combination vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ lbs, with a towed unit over 10,000 lbs.
• Class B CDL – For single vehicles with a GCWR of 26,001+ lbs or towing a trailer under 10,000 lbs.
• Class C CDL – For vehicles designed to transport 16+ passengers or hazardous materials.
• Motorcycle Endorsement – Added to a Class D license to operate motorcycles.

No, a CDL is not required for personal-use recreational vehicles (RVs), regardless of size.

If the limousine has fewer than 16 passenger seats, you can drive it with a Class D license. If it carries 16 or more passengers, a Class C CDL with a Passenger (P) endorsement is required.

Farmers do not need a CDL to operate farm vehicles on their own property or within 150 miles of their farm for agricultural purposes.

Yes, if the combined weight of the truck and trailer exceeds 26,000 lbs, a Class A CDL is required.

CDL holders can add endorsements based on the type of commercial vehicle they drive:

• H (Hazmat) – For transporting hazardous materials
• P (Passenger) – For buses and shuttles
• S (School Bus) – For driving school buses
• N (Tanker) – For hauling liquid tanks
• T (Double/Triple Trailers) – For pulling multiple trailers
• X (Combination of Hazmat & Tanker) – For hauling hazardous liquids

The fee to renew a driver's license in Rhode Island is $62.50 for a standard 5-year renewal. For individuals aged 71 and older, the renewal periods and fees are prorated based on age:

• Age 71 (valid for four years): $50.50
• Age 72 (valid for three years): $38.50
• Ages 73 and 74 (valid for two years): $26.50
• Age 75 and older (valid for two years): $22.50

The fee for a new Rhode Island driver's license is $38.50.

The fee for a learner's permit in Rhode Island is $11.50.

Yes, there is a road test fee of $26.50 in Rhode Island.

The Rhode Island DMV accepts cash, money orders, personal checks, bank checks, and credit cards (MasterCard, Discover, Visa, and American Express).

To renew your driver's license in Rhode Island, you must:

• Complete the LI-1 Application form.
• Provide one identity document (birth certificate, SSN, or passport).
• Pay the applicable renewal fee.

If your driver's license has been expired for five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test.

No, there is no official grace period for an expired driver's license in Rhode Island. It is illegal to drive with an expired license, and you may face penalties if caught.

Your Rhode Island driver's license can be renewed up to 90 days before expiration. It’s recommended to renew your license before it expires to avoid any penalties or complications.

If you are caught driving with an expired license in Rhode Island, you could face fines or penalties. It’s important to renew your license on time to avoid any legal issues.

Rhode Island driver's licenses must be renewed every five years. The exact expiration date is indicated on the license.

If your license is suspended, you will receive a notice detailing the suspension period and any required actions. To address the suspension, contact the DMV's Adjudication Unit for the next steps or immediately address any underlying issues, such as unpaid fines.

To reinstate a suspended license, you must wait until the suspension period has concluded, fulfill any court-ordered obligations or programs, and visit a DMV branch with your reinstatement notice, one identity document, and proof of residency.

Yes, if your suspension was due to a failure to appear in court or pay fines (noted as an "04 suspension"), you might be eligible for online reinstatement. After resolving the court issues, you can use the DMV's online service for reinstatement.

To replace a lost or stolen license:​

• Visit a DMV office and bring one identity document and proof of residency.​
• Fill out the License/ID/Permit Application (LI-1 Form).​
• After processing, you'll receive a duplicate license.​

No, operating a vehicle during a suspension is illegal and can lead to severe penalties, including extended suspension periods and possible jail time.

To verify your license status, you can:

• Contact the DMV's Adjudication Unit for current information regarding your license.​
• Request your driving history to see any infractions or suspensions.

The fee for a duplicate or replacement driver's license in Rhode Island is $26.50.

To transfer your out-of-state driver's license to Rhode Island, you need:

• Your current out-of-state license, valid or expired for less than five years.
• A completed LI-1 Application Form
• Two proofs of Rhode Island residency, such as utility bills with your name and address
• Your Social Security Number (SSN)

Yes, new residents are required to transfer their out-of-state driver's license to Rhode Island within 30 days of establishing residency.

If your out-of-state license is valid or expired for less than five years, you generally do not need to take a written or road test. However, if it's expired for five years or more, you must take the learner's permit test and schedule a road test.

The fee for transferring an out-of-state driver's license to Rhode Island is $44.50.

New residents from other countries who are 18 or older must apply for an Instruction Permit at the DMV Cranston headquarters. This process involves taking a written knowledge test and a road skills test.

You can transfer your out-of-state license at any DMV or AAA branch office.

If your out-of-state driver's license is unavailable, you must provide a certified driving record from your previous state. This record should include the issue date, license number, personal information, and the expiration date of your out-of-state license.

The Rhode Island learner's permit test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions. You must answer at least 40 of these questions correctly to pass.

The fee for the written knowledge test is $10.00, which includes the first road test.

The road test fee is $26.50.

You can schedule a road test appointment through the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website or by visiting a local DMV branch.

On the day of your road test, you must bring:

• Your valid learner's permit.
• A completed and notarized affidavit of 50 hours of driving experience, including 10 hours at night.
• The driver's license of your supervising driver.
• If the vehicle is not registered in your name, a notarized letter allowing the use of the vehicle.

If you fail the road test, you must wait at least 30 days before retaking it.

The Rhode Island DMV does not specify a fee for rescheduling or canceling a road test appointment. However, you must notify the DMV as early as possible to avoid potential penalties.

Using a rental car for the road test is generally not permitted. You should use a vehicle that meets the DMV's requirements and is insured.

Yes, you must be accompanied by a licensed driver who can drive the vehicle to and from the testing site.

The computerized knowledge exam is administered at the DMV headquarters located at 600 New London Ave, Cranston, RI. Testing is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. These tests are available by reservation only.

Appointments for the knowledge exam can be scheduled through the Rhode Island DMV's reservation system.

On the day of your test, bring:

• A completed application form
• Proof of identity and residency
• Any necessary fees

If you fail the test, you may retake it. Don’t forget to review the Rhode Island Driver's Manual thoroughly before retesting.

You must be at least 18 years old to drive a commercial vehicle within Rhode Island (Intrastate CDL). You must be at least 21 years old to drive a commercial vehicle across state lines, transport hazardous materials, or carry passengers (Interstate CDL).

First, you must get a Commercial Learner's Permit (CLP). For this, you will have to:

• Possess a valid Rhode Island driver's license.
• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency.
• Present a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate.
• Pass the CDL general knowledge test and any applicable endorsement tests.
• Once you get the CLP, hold it for at least 14 days.
• Complete a CDL skills (road) test.
• Submit the CDL application with the required fees.

Applicants must provide:

• Proof of identity (e.g., valid driver's license, birth certificate)
• Proof of Rhode Island residency
• Social Security card
• Valid Medical Examiner's Certificate

A CDL in Rhode Island is generally valid for five years. To renew, drivers must:

• Provide proof of U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent residency
• Present a valid Medical Examiner's Certificate
• Submit proof of Rhode Island residency
• Pay the applicable renewal fees

The following fees are associated with obtaining and renewing a CDL in Rhode Island:

• Application Fee: $10
• License Fee (5 years): $71.50
• Test Fee (each): $11.50
• Duplicate License: $26.50

To get a motorcycle license in Rhode Island, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old.
• Possess either a provisional license or a standard driver's license.
• Complete a mandatory motorcycle safety course provided by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
• Bring the CCRI motorcycle safety certificate and your valid Rhode Island driver's license to any DMV branch location.
• Pay the applicable fees.

Once you’re done with these steps, a motorcycle "M" endorsement can be added to your valid Rhode Island driver's license.

The cost to register a car in Rhode Island varies based on factors such as the vehicle's weight, type, and intended use. You can learn more about this through the Rhode Island DMV's Fee Schedule.

The minimum age to rent a car in Rhode Island is 21. However, rental companies may impose additional fees or restrictions for drivers under 25. Policies can vary by rental company, so you must check with the specific company for their requirements.

Driving through Rhode Island from north to south via I-95 typically takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

The time it takes to get to Rhode Island depends on your starting location and mode of transportation. For example, driving from New York City to Providence takes approximately 3 hours, while flying from major cities like Washington, D.C., or Chicago to Providence's T.F. Green Airport takes about 1 to 2.5 hours, respectively.

To register your car in Rhode Island, you will need:

• A completed application for the registration and title certificate (Form TR-1).
• The vehicle's title or, if the vehicle is from a non-titled state and older than model year 2001, a previous registration certificate or paid sales tax form.
• A valid Rhode Island driver's license or state-issued ID.
• Valid Rhode Island auto insurance.
• A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) inspection conducted by a local municipal police department.
• A bill of sale if the vehicle was purchased from a private party.
• A filled Sales Tax form and the applicable sales tax unless exempt.

To register a car in Rhode Island:

• Fill out the Application for Registration and Title Certificate (Form TR-1).
• Collect all necessary documents, including proof of ownership, identification, proof of insurance, VIN inspection (if applicable), and bill of sale.
• Bring all completed forms and documents to a Rhode Island DMV branch.
• Pay the applicable registration fees and sales tax.

A vehicle may fail inspection for several reasons, including:

• Safety Issues: Defects in essential safety components such as brakes, tires, lights, steering, or suspension systems.
• Emissions Problems: Failure to meet the state's emissions standards due to issues like a malfunctioning catalytic converter or an illuminated check engine light.
• Obstructed License Plates: Anything obstructing a license plate, such as dirt, a frame around it, or a sticker, could result in a failed inspection.

If your vehicle fails inspection, you have 30 days to make necessary repairs and return to the same station for a free retest.

A REAL ID is optional for drivers in Rhode Island, but it will be required for federal purposes, like flying domestically or entering certain federal facilities, starting in May 2025. If you choose not to get a REAL ID, you will need another form of identification for these activities.