Rhode Island Drivers License Instructions

DMV got you confused? Check out our easy instructions for getting your Rhode Island drivers license.

1. Take Rhode Island drivers education

2. Study for the Rhode Island learners permit / instruction permit test

3. Apply for the Rhode Island learners permit / instruction permit test

4. Practice driving under supervision

5. Take the driving test for the Rhode Island drivers license

Step 1
Step 2
Step 3
Step 4
Step 5

1. Take Rhode Island drivers education

Under 18:
In Rhode lsland, if you are under 18 years old you must pass a CCRI-accredited 33-hour drivers education course in order to be eligible for your limited instruction permit at 16. Online drivers education courses do not fulfill this requirement.

18 or Older:
If you are 18 or older, drivers education is not mandatory in Rhode Island. However, it’s always a good idea for new drivers to take a Rhode Island drivers education course. With quality drivers education, you can:

Learn the rules of the road and essential safe driving skills
Have a better chance of passing your learners permit test
Qualify for an auto insurance discount (where applicable)

Take the DriversEd.com Rhode Island drivers education course online at your own pace and on your own schedule.

Note: this course will not satisfy the RI drivers education requirement for new drivers under 18.

2. Study for the RI learners permit / instruction permit test

In order to get the instruction permit and eventually the Rhode lsland drivers license, everyone regardless of age must pass a written test on traffic laws and signs. Most people fail this test on their first try.

Pass the first time when you learn the rules of the road with DriversEd.com and prepare for the learners permit test with our Rhode Island DMV practice permit tests. Our online practice permit tests can be purchased separately or are free when you purchase our online Rhode Island drivers education course.

3. Apply for the RI learners permit / instruction permit test

Apply for the instruction permit at a DMV office near you.

In order to be eligible for the instruction permit, you must:

Be at least 16 year old.
Show a certified birth certificate (not a copy).
Present a drivers education certificate (if under18).
Pay a $10.00 fee.
Have your parents, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or adult spouse must accompany you and sign the Instruction Permit application in the presence of a notary who witnesses the signature.
Pass a vision test.
Pass a written knowledge test.

Once you pass the written test, you will be issued an instruction permit.

Limited Instruction Permit

If you are under 18, your instruction permit will have the following restrictions:

Valid for one year or until you reach the age of 18 whichever comes first.
You can practice driving under the supervision of a properly licensed driver who has held a license for at least 5 years. The licensed driver must be sitting beside you at all times and be ready to take control of the vehicle in an emergency.
A Permit may be extended if satisfactory evidence of a hardship is presented to the DMV. If you reach the age of 18 before having a Limited Instructional Permit for one (1) year, you may apply for a full Operators License at this time.

4. Practice driving under supervision

Practice driving under the supervision of a parent/guardian or other licensed driver who has had their license for at least 5 years. If you are under 18, you must hold the limited instruction permit for at least 6 months.

DriversEd.com can help make this supervised driving period less stressful. Our Behind-the-Wheel Training Guide teaches important concepts and guides parents step-by-step through the process of teaching their teen to drive. It also comes with a FREE Passenger Side Rear-View Mirror which allows you to see exactly what your teen sees when behind the wheel.

5. Take the driving test for the RI drivers license

Schedule an appointment for your driving test at your local DMV before your limited Instruction permit expires.

In order to be eligible for the Rhode Island drivers license, you must:

Be at least 16½ years old.
Have held a limited instruction permit for at least 6 months if you are under 18. If it expires before you have passed the driving test, you must take the written test again or be recertified by the Rhode Island Department of Education and obtain a new limited instruction permit.
Have not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation or a seat belt infraction during the previous 6 months.
Pay the applicable fee.
Pass the driving test.

Once you have passed the driving test, you will be issued a full operators license if you are at least 18 years old.

Limited Provisional License

If you are under 18, you will be issued a Limited Provisional License with the following restrictions:

A supervising driver must accompany your EXCEPT in the circumstances:

Between 5:00 AM and 1:00 AM.
When driving to or from work.
When driving to or from any activity of a volunteer fire department, volunteer rescue squad or volunteer emergency medical service if you are a member of such organization. At all times everyone in the vehicle must be properly fastened by a seat belt or child restraint system.

This license expires on your 18 birthday.

In order to get your full operators license you must:

Be at least 17 years, 6 months old.
Have held a Limited Provisional License for at least 12 months.

Have not been convicted of a motor vehicle moving violation or seat belt infraction during the past 6 months.

DriversEd.com is a privately held company and is in no way associated with the Department of Motor Vehicles or any other government agency. DriversEd.com does not claim any responsibility for the accuracy of the drivers license information posted within or for the business practices associated with any other schools listed on the DriversEd.com site. For up-to-date information, please consult your local Department of Motor Vehicles or vehicle registration agency. Also, DriversEd.com is not liable for any information or claims posted within third party links.

‡ Discount does not apply to in-car lessons, traffic school courses, and Utah and Indiana drivers ed courses.