Category: Rhode Island

Photo: Mohan Nannapaneni, Pexels

Rhode Island teens on a Limited Instruction Permit must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with at least 10 of those hours at night (sunset to sunrise), before the road test. The hours are confirmed to the DMV on an affidavit. This checklist covers who can supervise, how to log the hours and how to plan them across the 6-month permit period.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Total: 50 hours of supervised behind-the-wheel driving.
• Night: at least 10 of the 50 hours, sunset to sunrise.
• Supervisor: a parent or guardian, a driver 21 or older licensed for at least 5 years, or a Rhode Island licensed driving school.
• Timing: the road test comes after 6 months on the permit.

Who can supervise a Rhode Island permit driver?

Supervisor	Requirement
Parent or guardian	Yes
Other adult (relative, family friend)	At least 21 and licensed for at least 5 years
Driving school	Must be a Rhode Island licensed driving school

An older sibling who is 21 but has only held a license for 3 years does not qualify. A 19-year-old friend does not qualify.

The Rhode Island 50 hour affidavit: what to check

Every driver under 18 must bring a signed and notarized affidavit of the 50 hours to the driving skills test. A parent or guardian signs it to state that you completed at least 50 hours with a supervising driver, 10 of them at night. Bring it with your original permit and the supervising driver’s license.

Book the notary a few weeks early so it does not hold up your test date.

How to log the hours

• CCRI encourages families to use the Parent’s Supervised Driving Program and the RoadReady app to log hours.
• Record each drive the same day: date, start and end time, day or night, conditions and who supervised.
• Mark night drives clearly so you can show the 10-hour minimum at a glance.

A 6-month plan for 50 hours

Months	Target hours	Focus
1 to 2	About 15	Quiet streets and lots: starting, stopping, steering, turns
3 to 4	About 20, including night drives	Busier roads, four-way stops, lane changes, highways
5 to 6	About 15	Rain and darkness, parking, test-style drives

That works out at about 2 hours a week. Spreading the night hours through fall and winter is easier, as it gets dark earlier.

What to cover with your supervisor

• Merging onto highways
• Rain, fog and snow
• Parking, including hills
• Sharing the road with bikes, motorcycles and trucks

Common questions

How many hours do you need to drive with a permit in Rhode Island?

50 hours, with at least 10 at night.

Can my grandparent supervise me?

Yes, if they are at least 21 and have been licensed for at least 5 years.

Do driving school lessons count?

A Rhode Island licensed driving school is one of the allowed supervisors. Check the affidavit form for how school hours are recorded.

Does the 50 hour log need notarizing in Rhode Island?

Yes. The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual says the 50-hour affidavit must be signed and notarized for every driver under 18.

What counts as night driving?

Driving between sunset and sunrise.

Does driver’s ed count toward the 50 hours?

No. The 33-hour course is classroom only. See Rhode Island 33 hour driver education.

Back to the Rhode Island learner driver guide. Next: the Rhode Island road test checklist. Compare states: supervised driving hours by state.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)

Photo: Kenneth C. Zirkel, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rhode Island requires teens to complete a 33-hour classroom driver education course before getting a learner’s permit. The course is run by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), is open from age 15 years and 10 months, and includes the DMV knowledge (permit) test as its final exam. This guide covers eligibility, cost, what to bring and the attendance rules.

Key facts (CCRI, as of November 2026)

• Length: 33 hours of classroom instruction.
• Age: at least 15 years and 10 months on the first day of class, through age 21. You can register before you reach the minimum age.
• Includes: the Rhode Island DMV Knowledge Test, with a 70% pass mark.
• Does not include: behind-the-wheel driving lessons.
• Online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island.

How much does driver’s ed cost in Rhode Island?

Item	Cost (as of November 2026)
Course tuition	$145
Registration fee (non-refundable)	$10
Textbook: AAA How to Drive, 15th edition	About $39.95

You pay online by credit card through the CCRI Workforce registration system. The textbook is sold by the CCRI Bookstore, local AAA offices and online retailers.

How to enroll in Rhode Island driver education

1. Check the age rule: 15 years and 10 months by the first day of class.
2. Pick a class. Courses run all year at CCRI campuses (Warwick, Lincoln, Providence, Newport County), the Westerly and Woonsocket education centers, partner high schools and community locations. Accelerated one-week courses run in the summer and school vacations.
3. Register and pay online.
4. Read and acknowledge the Student/Parent Agreement.
5. Buy the textbook before the first class.
6. On day one, bring proof of age (birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card) and the textbook.

Attendance and conduct rules

• You must attend the first class to stay enrolled.
• Miss 6 hours or less: complete an approved make-up class.
• Miss more than 6 hours: you cannot complete the course and lose the course fee.
• Late arrivals make up the missed time after the course ends.
• No phones, earbuds or smart watches in class. Sleeping, copying, vaping or smoking can get you removed, and you would have to re-register and pay again.

Refunds

Give at least 48 hours’ notice before the course starts to get a refund, minus the registration fee. Less notice, or not attending, means no refund. There are no partial refunds once a course has begun.

Accommodations for students with an IEP or 504 Plan

Students with a current Individualized Education Program or Section 504 Plan can request accommodations. Submit the CCRI Workforce Accommodations Form and send all pages of the plan at least 14 days before the course begins.

What happens after the course?

Pass the course and the knowledge test, and you get a Certificate of Completion. At 16 you take it to the DMV for your Limited Instruction Permit. Then you start the 50 hours of supervised driving. See the Rhode Island 50 hour driving log.

Common questions

Is driver’s ed required in Rhode Island?

Yes, for a learner’s permit. The 33-hour course meets Rhode Island’s classroom driver education requirement, which CCRI links to Rhode Island General Laws section 31-10-19.

Does the course include driving lessons?

No. Practice happens separately with a qualified supervising driver or a Rhode Island licensed driving school.

Can I do Rhode Island driver’s ed online?

No. Online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island.

I took driver’s ed in another state. Does it count?

Possibly. The manual says a new resident under 18 needs proof of 33 classroom hours (not combined with in-car lessons), at least 8 classroom hours on alcohol, drugs and driving, and organ donor material. With the original documents, you may only need a 3-hour class on Rhode Island law ($20). You then take the knowledge exam and the driving skills test.

What if I pass the course but fail the knowledge test?

Retake the test at the Cranston DMV by appointment. If you fail the course itself, you take the course again. See the Rhode Island permit test explained.

I lost my certificate. Can I get another?

Yes. Complete CCRI’s online Duplicate Certificate Request and pay the replacement fee.

Back to the Rhode Island learner driver guide. Compare states: GDL laws compared.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Driver Education Student/Parent Agreement” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Transportation Education” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)

Photo: Roger Williams, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

When you pass the road test in Rhode Island as a teen, you get a limited provisional license. You can drive without a supervisor, but you may carry no more than one passenger under 21 who is not from your household, and you cannot drive by yourself between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. This guide explains those Rhode Island rules for new drivers and parents.

Rhode Island provisional license rules at a glance

Rule	What it means
Passengers	No more than one passenger under 21 who is not a member of your household
Night driving	No driving by yourself between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Seat belt	You must be properly belted
License	Carry it whenever you drive
Insurance	You must hold at least liability insurance

The CCRI licensing road map points to Rhode Island General Laws section 31-10-6 for these rules.

Who counts as a passenger under the Rhode Island limit?

• Counts: friends, classmates, teammates or cousins under 21 who do not live with you. Only one at a time.
• Does not count: people from your own household, such as siblings who live with you.
• 21 or older: passengers aged 21 and over are outside the under-21 limit.

Scenario

You want to drive two friends, both 17, home from practice. That is two non-household passengers under 21, so only one can ride with you. Your 14-year-old brother who lives with you can come along as well.

What does “by yourself” mean for the 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. rule?

Between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. you may drive only with a supervising driver (licensed at least 5 years and 21 or older) beside you, unless one of these applies:

• you are driving to or from work
• you are driving to or from an activity of a volunteer fire department, rescue squad or emergency medical service you belong to
• between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., you are driving between home and a school-sponsored athletic activity for which the school gives no transport

Everyone in the car must be belted or in a child restraint at all times.

How long the limits last and when you get a full license

The one-passenger limit applies for the first 12 months of the provisional license. The license itself expires on your 18th birthday. You can get a full operator’s license once you are at least 17 years and 6 months old, have held the provisional license for 12 months and have had no moving violation or seat belt conviction in the previous 6 months. A parent, guardian, adult spouse or licensed foster parent comes with you to apply.

Phone use

Under 18 you may not use a cell phone at all while driving, including hands-free or speakerphone, except to call for help in an emergency, after pulling over safely. Fines are $100, then $150, then $250, and a third offense also takes your license until 18. Texting is banned at every age. See hands-free and texting laws by state.

Common questions

Can I drive my friends on a Rhode Island provisional license?

One friend under 21 at a time, unless they are from your household.

Can my brother or sister ride with me?

Yes, if they are members of your household. They do not count toward the one-passenger limit.

What time can provisional drivers drive in Rhode Island?

Any time except 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., when you cannot drive by yourself.

Do I need my own insurance?

You must be covered by at least liability insurance. See car insurance for new drivers.

What happens if I break the provisional rules?

A moving violation or seat belt conviction delays your full license, because you need 6 clean months before you apply. Phone and alcohol offenses carry their own fines and suspensions. Ask the Rhode Island DMV about penalties for breaking the passenger or night rules. See how points and suspensions work.

Back to the Rhode Island learner driver guide. Related: the Rhode Island road test, zero tolerance under 21 and GDL laws compared.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)

Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Rhode Island you can take the road test (driving skills test) once you have held your Limited Instruction Permit for 6 months, and teens take it at the Cranston DMV. You book it when you collect your permit. This guide covers when you are eligible, what to have ready and how to prepare, for Rhode Island teens and their parents.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Eligible: after 6 months on the Limited Instruction Permit.
• Where: the Cranston DMV.
• Booking: schedule the skills test before you leave the DMV on the day you get your permit.
• Before the test: 50 hours of supervised driving, including 10 at night.
• After passing: a limited provisional license.

When can you take the road test in Rhode Island?

Six months after your permit is issued. Booking at the permit appointment means the date is set early, so plan your 50 practice hours to finish before it. If the date arrives and your hours are not done, move the test rather than turn up unready.

Rhode Island road test checklist

The Rhode Island DMV publishes a road test checklist and skills test information. Get the current versions from the DMV and check them a week before your test. Use this list to make sure nothing is missed:

Paperwork

• Your Limited Instruction Permit
• Your completed 50-hour supervised driving record or affidavit (see the Rhode Island 50 hour affidavit)
• The license of your supervising driver, who must be at the test (an out-of-state license is fine)
• A notarized letter from the registered owner if the owner (or their spouse) is not there
• Proof of Rhode Island registration and insurance (a card, an electronic card or a photocopy)

The car

• Registered in Rhode Island, with two plates, insured and with a current inspection sticker (not needed if the car is under 2 years old or has 24,000 miles or less)
• Not a rental, no pets inside, legal window tint only, and windows that roll down
• The examiner checks the engine, brake lights, turn signals, low and high beams, hazard lights, tires and horn before you start
• Seat belts that work for every seat used
• Working lights, brake lights and turn signals
• Clear windshield and mirrors you can adjust

You

• Glasses or contacts if you need them to drive
• Phone off and out of reach
• Arrive early so you are not rushed

Which maneuvers to practice for the Rhode Island road test

The manual says the test covers pre-driving procedures, a maneuverability test, parallel parking, a three-point turnabout, a backing maneuver and other everyday driving. Instructions are given in English; the DMV has a translated vocabulary list in Spanish and Portuguese. You fail immediately for a seat belt violation, a stop sign violation, running over a curb or cone, any intervention by a passenger, hitting a barrier or any dangerous action. Practice these until they are routine:

• Parallel parking and backing in a straight line
• A three-point turn (turnabout) on a narrow street
• Full stops at stop signs, behind the line
• Mirror and blind-spot checks before every lane change and pull-away
• Correct right of way at four-way stops and roundabouts
• Steady speed within the limit, adjusting for conditions

The national guide to common reasons people fail the road test lists the faults examiners see most.

Practice plan for the last month

1. Drive the roads around the Cranston DMV at the same time of day as your test.
2. Have your supervisor call out turns with no warning, the way an examiner gives directions.
3. Practice parking and turnabouts in a quiet lot until you get them right three times in a row.
4. Finish your night hours early so the last weeks can focus on test skills.

Common questions

Where do teens take the road test in Rhode Island?

At the Cranston DMV.

How long do I need my permit before the Rhode Island road test?

Six months.

When do I book the Rhode Island road test?

Before you leave the DMV on the day you get your Limited Instruction Permit.

Can I use my own car?

Yes, if it is registered in Rhode Island, inspected and insured, and the owner or their spouse comes along or gives you a notarized letter. Rental cars are not allowed.

What happens after I pass?

You get a limited provisional license with passenger and night limits. See Rhode Island limited provisional license rules.

What if I fail?

You must wait at least 30 days before your next test, and you rebook online. Each test has a non-refundable fee and a technology surcharge. If no slot comes before your permit expires for the second time, you may need to retake the knowledge exam and get a new permit.

Back to the Rhode Island learner driver guide. Compare states: road tests by state.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)

Photo: formulanone, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Rhode Island the DMV knowledge (permit) test is built into the 33-hour driver education course: it is the course’s final exam, and you need a score of 70% to pass. Pass it and you can apply for a Limited Instruction Permit at 16. This guide covers how the test works for Rhode Island teens, what happens if you fail and how to prepare.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Where: at the end of the classroom driver education course run by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
• Pass mark: 70%.
• Fail the course: you take the whole course again.
• Pass the course but fail the test: retake the test at the Cranston DMV by appointment.
• After passing: Limited Instruction Permit from age 16.
• At the DMV: the computerized exam has 40 multiple-choice questions and a 90-minute limit, needs an online reservation and is available in other languages on request.

How the Rhode Island permit test works

1. Enroll in the 33-hour course (minimum age 15 years and 10 months on the first day).
2. Meet the course requirements set by your instructor. These can include attendance, participation, homework, quizzes and tests. Only students who meet them can sit the DMV knowledge test.
3. Sit the final exam, which counts as the Rhode Island DMV Knowledge Test. You need 70%.
4. Receive your Certificate of Completion and take it to the DMV for your permit.

What happens if you fail the Rhode Island knowledge test?

Situation	What you do
You fail the course (for example, too many hours missed)	Take the course again
You pass the course but fail the knowledge test	Book a retest at the Cranston DMV
You miss more than 6 hours of class	You cannot complete the course and lose the course fee

For the waiting period between attempts and any retest fee, check with the Rhode Island DMV before booking.

What the Rhode Island permit test covers

The course teaches the rules of the road, defensive driving and safe driving practice, and prepares you for the knowledge test. The course textbook is AAA How to Drive (15th edition). Read the current Rhode Island Driver’s Manual alongside it for state-specific rules. Topics that trip learners up:

• Sign shapes and colors: US road signs by shape and color
• Who goes first: four-way stops and roundabouts
• Lines and signals: pavement markings and traffic signals
• Alcohol rules for young drivers: zero tolerance under 21

Study plan for the last two weeks of the course

• Do every homework assignment: they cover the same ground as the exam.
• Make a one-page sheet of the numbers in the Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (distances, limits, times) and test yourself daily.
• Drill signs until you can name each one from its shape and color alone.

Common questions

What score do you need to pass the Rhode Island permit test?

70%, according to CCRI, where the course final exam serves as the DMV Knowledge Test.

How many questions are on the RI permit test?

The DMV’s computerized knowledge exam has 40 multiple-choice questions, with a 90-minute maximum.

Can I take the Rhode Island permit test without driver’s ed?

For teens, the test is part of the driver education course, and completing the course is required for a learner’s permit. At 18 or older you do not need the course: you take the computerized exam at the Cranston DMV by reservation.

Can I take the Rhode Island permit test online?

No. The test is the in-class final exam, and online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island.

Where do I retake the test if I fail?

If you passed the course, retake the knowledge test at the Cranston DMV by appointment.

When can I get my permit after passing?

At 16. Book a DMV appointment and bring your Certificate of Completion. See learning to drive in Rhode Island for the documents list.

Related: Rhode Island 33 hour driver education course, the 50 hour driving log and permit tests by state.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Driver Education Student/Parent Agreement” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)

Photo: Raime, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

In Rhode Island a teen starts with a 33-hour classroom driver education course, which includes the DMV knowledge (permit) test. At 16 you can get a Limited Instruction Permit. After 6 months on the permit and 50 hours of supervised practice (10 at night), you take the road test and get a limited provisional license with passenger and late-night limits. This guide sets out each step for Rhode Island teens and parents, with links to the detailed Rhode Island guides.

Key facts (checked November 2026)

• Driver education: 33 hours of classroom instruction, open from age 15 years and 10 months. The course includes the Rhode Island DMV knowledge test.
• Knowledge test pass mark: 70%, taken as the final exam of the course.
• Limited Instruction Permit: from age 16, at a DMV appointment.
• Supervised practice: 50 hours, including 10 at night.
• Road test: after holding the permit for 6 months, at the Cranston DMV.
• Limited provisional license: no more than one passenger under 21 who is not from your household, and no driving alone between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

How to get a driver’s license in Rhode Island, step by step

1. Take the 33-hour driver education course. You must be at least 15 years and 10 months old on the first day of class. Online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island. See Rhode Island’s 33 hour driver education course.
2. Pass the knowledge test. It is the course’s final exam, and you need 70%. If you pass the course but fail the test, you retake it at the Cranston DMV by appointment. See the Rhode Island permit test explained.
3. Get your Limited Instruction Permit at 16. Book a DMV appointment online. Bring a certified birth certificate, active passport or other accepted ID (no photocopies), proof of your Social Security card, two proofs of Rhode Island residency, the course Certificate of Completion, the permit application (form LI-1) and the fee. A parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or adult spouse who lives in Rhode Island and qualifies as a supervising driver must come with you. You also pass a vision test: at least 20/40, with glasses or contacts if you wear them. Book your road test before you leave the DMV.
4. Log 50 hours of supervised driving. At least 10 hours must be at night (sunset to sunrise). See the Rhode Island 50 hour driving log and affidavit.
5. Pass the road test. After 6 months on the permit with no moving violation or seat belt conviction in the last 6 months, take the driving skills test at the Cranston DMV. Your permit is valid until 18 and can be renewed up to two times. See the Rhode Island road test checklist.
6. Drive on a limited provisional license. Passenger and night limits apply. See Rhode Island limited provisional license rules.

Rhode Island learner timeline at a glance

Stage	Earliest point	What you need
Driver education course	15 years 10 months (first day of class)	Proof of age, course textbook
Knowledge test	End of the course	70% on the final exam
Limited Instruction Permit	16	Birth certificate, Social Security proof, Certificate of Completion, DMV forms
Road test	6 months after the permit	50 hours of practice, 10 at night
Limited provisional license	After passing the road test	Follow the passenger and 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. limits

Who can supervise a Rhode Island permit driver?

• A parent or guardian
• A driver at least 21 years old who has been licensed for at least 5 years
• A Rhode Island licensed driving school

The driver education course is classroom only. All behind-the-wheel practice happens separately with one of these supervisors.

What to study for the Rhode Island knowledge test

Get the current Rhode Island Driver’s Manual from the Rhode Island DMV. The CCRI course uses the AAA textbook How to Drive (15th edition). The rules most learners need are the same across the US, and these guides cover them:

• Signs, signals and markings: road signs by shape and color, traffic signals, pavement markings
• Right of way: four-way stops, roundabouts, pedestrians and crosswalks, right on red
• Special situations: school buses, railroad crossings, emergency vehicles, move over laws
• Speed and parking: the basic speed law, parking rules
• Sharing the road: motorcycles, bicycles and trucks, freeway driving, snow, fog and rain
• Alcohol, drugs and phones: zero tolerance under 21, implied consent and DUI, drugged driving, hands-free laws
• Safety and after a crash: seat belts and car seats, what to do after a crash, points and suspensions

Rhode Island road rules from the manual

• Speed: 25 mph in residential areas and 50 to 65 mph on most highways, unless posted. Speeding fines are doubled in work zones 24 hours a day.
• Signals: signal at least 100 feet before turning or changing lanes.
• Headlights: on from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see 500 feet ahead, in rain or snow, and whenever your wipers are on. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following within 200 feet.
• Following distance: at least 3 seconds, plus 1 second for each poor condition such as rain or darkness.
• Right on red: allowed after a full stop unless a sign forbids it. Yield to traffic and pedestrians first.
• Seat belts: required for everyone, and police can stop you for it alone. The driver is responsible, and the fine is $40 per unbelted occupant. A child under 8 who is under 57 inches and under 80 pounds rides in an approved child restraint in a rear seat; that violation is $85 and needs a court appearance.
• School buses: stop from either direction when the red lights flash, including on private roads and in parking lots, and stay stopped until they go off. A first offense is $250 to $500 and up to 30 days without a license. You do not stop if a barrier divides the highway and the bus is on the other side.
• Blind pedestrians: stop completely before the intersection and yield to anyone with a white cane or guide dog. The fine can be up to $1,000.
• Bicycles: leave as much room as you can (the manual suggests 3 to 5 feet) when passing, do not drive in bike lanes, and do not open a car door into traffic or a bike lane until it is safe.
• Horses: slow down and do not sound your horn or make loud noises near a horse.
• Emergency vehicles: pull to the right and stop for lights or sirens, and stay at least 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.
• Turnabouts: only where no sign forbids it, you can see 500 feet each way and you are at least 200 feet from an intersection.
• Parking: not within 8 feet of a hydrant, 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection, 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic light or flashing signal, 50 feet of a railroad crossing, or 20 feet of a fire station driveway (75 feet across the street). Park with your wheels no more than 12 inches from the curb.
• Headphones: you may not drive wearing earphones or a headset.
• Snow and ice: clear snow and ice that block your view, and clear the roof so snow does not blow onto other cars.
• Insurance: every driver must be insured and carry proof in the car with the registration. Not doing so is a $500 fine.
• Police stops: show your license, registration and insurance when asked. At night, turn on your interior lights and leave them on until the officer lets you go.
• Crashes: stop, give your details and report collisions to the police. A police report is required if someone is hurt, damage is over $1,000, you hit an unattended vehicle or you hit a domestic animal. If you hit a parked car, leave your name and address on it.
• Alcohol: 0.08 is drunk driving (DUI) at any age. Under 21, 0.02 to 0.08 is Driving While Impaired (DWI). Refusing a chemical test means at least a 6-month suspension. Under 21, driving with alcohol in the car without a parent or guardian can cost up to 30 days of driving, and possessing alcohol brings a $150 to $750 fine and at least a 60-day suspension.
• Phones: texting is banned for all drivers ($100, then $150, then $250). Under 18, any cell phone use, even hands-free, is banned except in an emergency; a third offense also costs your license until 18.
• Window tint and litter: windows must let through at least 70% of light ($250 fine), and littering from a vehicle is an $85 to $1,000 fine.

Common questions

How old do you have to be to drive in Rhode Island?

You can start driver education at 15 years and 10 months and get a Limited Instruction Permit at 16. The road test comes at least 6 months after the permit.

Do I need driver’s ed before a permit in Rhode Island?

Yes. Completing the 33-hour classroom course meets Rhode Island’s driver education requirement for a learner’s permit, and the knowledge test is part of the course.

Can I take driver’s ed online in Rhode Island?

No. CCRI states that online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island.

How long do I have to hold my Rhode Island permit?

At least 6 months before the road test.

I am 18 or older. Do the same steps apply?

At 18 or older you do not need the 33-hour course, but you must pass the computerized knowledge exam at the Cranston DMV (40 multiple-choice questions, 90 minutes, by online reservation) and then the driving skills test.

I have a license from another state. What do I do?

If your out-of-state license is valid, or expired less than 5 years ago, you do not take the knowledge exam or the driving skills test. You surrender it, show Rhode Island residency and complete an Application for First License. Under 18, you must meet the Rhode Island driver education rules and still take the knowledge exam and the driving skills test. See transferring your license when you move. Visitors should read driving in the US on a foreign license.

Compare Rhode Island with other states: learning to drive in the USA, GDL laws compared, permit tests by state, road tests by state, practice hours by state, REAL ID, insurance for new drivers, driving on a permit in another state, HOV lanes and common road test fails.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Driver Education Student/Parent Agreement” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Transportation Education” (ccri.edu)

Photo: Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Rhode Island DMV computerized knowledge exam has 40 multiple-choice questions on motor vehicle laws and the rules of the road, with a 90-minute maximum. For most teens it is the final exam of the 33-hour driver education course, where CCRI says you need 70%. This page gives you 30 original practice questions: first the Rhode Island licensing rules, then the road rules every state tests. They are unofficial practice, not DMV questions.

Rhode Island knowledge exam: key facts

Item	Detail (as of November 2026)
Questions	40 multiple choice (RI DMV)
Time	90 minutes maximum
Pass mark	70% on the driver education course exam (CCRI). Confirm the figure for a DMV retest with the DMV.
Languages	English, Spanish and Portuguese
Fail	Wait at least 8 days before retaking
Where	Teens: the CCRI course final. Retests and adults: Cranston DMV, by reservation

How the exam fits into the course: the Rhode Island DMV permit test guide.

Rhode Island licensing rules (questions 1 to 8)

1. How does a Rhode Island teen normally take the DMV knowledge test?

• A. Online at home
• B. At any police station
• C. As the final exam of the 33-hour driver education course
• D. During the road test

Answer: C. Pass it and you can apply for a Limited Instruction Permit at 16. See the 33 hour driver education course. Topic: licensing.

2. You pass the driver education course but fail the knowledge test. What do you do?

• A. Retake the whole course
• B. Book a retest at the Cranston DMV
• C. Wait until you are 18
• D. Take the road test instead

Answer: B. If you fail the course itself, you retake the course. Topic: licensing.

3. How much supervised driving must a Rhode Island permit holder log before the road test?

• A. 20 hours
• B. 40 hours, 5 at night
• C. 100 hours
• D. 50 hours, including 10 at night

Answer: D. Night means sunset to sunrise. See the 50 hour affidavit. Topic: permit.

4. Who may supervise a Rhode Island permit holder’s practice?

• A. A parent or guardian, a licensed driver 21 or older licensed at least 5 years, or a licensed driving school
• B. Any licensed 18-year-old
• C. Any adult passenger
• D. A friend who has a provisional license

Answer: A. Topic: permit.

5. How long must you hold your permit before the Rhode Island road test?

• A. 30 days
• B. 6 months
• C. 12 months
• D. No minimum

Answer: B. The road test is at the Cranston DMV. Topic: permit.

6. On a limited provisional license, how many passengers under 21 who are not members of your household may you carry?

• A. None
• B. Three
• C. One
• D. Any number in daylight

Answer: C. Household members such as siblings do not count. See Rhode Island provisional license rules. Topic: provisional license.

7. A Rhode Island provisional license holder may not drive by themselves between:

• A. 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• B. Midnight and 6 a.m.
• C. 10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
• D. 11 p.m. and 4 a.m.

Answer: A. The exceptions are driving to or from work, a volunteer fire, rescue or EMS activity you belong to, and 4 a.m. to 5 a.m. trips to school athletics with no school transport. Topic: provisional license.

8. Which is also a condition of the limited provisional license?

• A. Driving only on local roads
• B. Displaying a decal
• C. No highway driving
• D. Being properly belted, carrying your license and holding at least liability insurance

Answer: D. Topic: provisional license.

Signs, signals and markings (questions 9 to 16)

9. A sign shaped like an upside-down triangle means:

• A. Stop in every case
• B. Yield: slow down and stop if needed to let others go first
• C. Merge without looking
• D. Railroad ahead

Answer: B. Topic: signs.

10. The X-shaped white sign at a railroad crossing is called a:

• A. Pennant
• B. Shield
• C. Crossbuck
• D. Pentagon

Answer: C. Treat it like a yield sign for trains. Topic: signs, railroad crossings.

11. A five-sided sign warns of:

• A. A school zone or crossing
• B. A hospital
• C. A narrow bridge
• D. A no-passing zone

Answer: A. Topic: signs.

12. A steady red light means:

• A. Slow down
• B. Go if the road is clear
• C. Yield
• D. Stop behind the line or crosswalk and stay stopped until it is green, or until a permitted turn on red is safe

Answer: D. Rhode Island allows right on red after a full stop unless a sign forbids it, once you have yielded to traffic and pedestrians. Topic: signals.

13. A flashing yellow light means:

• A. Stop
• B. Slow down and proceed with caution
• C. The signal is about to turn green
• D. Only buses may go

Answer: B. Topic: signals.

14. A double solid yellow center line means:

• A. You may pass if clear
• B. A one-way street
• C. A bike lane
• D. No passing in either direction

Answer: D. Topic: pavement markings.

15. White lane lines separate:

• A. Traffic moving in the same direction
• B. Traffic moving in opposite directions
• C. Parking from sidewalks
• D. Toll booths

Answer: A. Yellow lines separate opposite directions. Topic: pavement markings.

16. Orange signs and cones mean:

• A. A detour to a park
• B. Services ahead
• C. A work zone: slow down and watch for workers
• D. A school crossing

Answer: C. Topic: signs, work zones.

Right of way and rules of the road (questions 17 to 23)

17. Two cars reach a four-way stop at the same time. Who goes first?

• A. The car on the right
• B. The car on the left
• C. The faster car
• D. The car turning left

Answer: A. The driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. Topic: right of way.

18. You are entering a roundabout. You must:

• A. Stop in the circle
• B. Yield to traffic already circulating and travel counterclockwise
• C. Enter to the left
• D. Honk before entering

Answer: B. Topic: roundabouts.

19. You hear a siren and see an ambulance behind you. You should:

• A. Speed up
• B. Stop in the middle of the intersection
• C. Move left
• D. Pull to the right edge and stop until it passes, keeping clear of intersections

Answer: D. Topic: emergency vehicles.

20. A school bus stops ahead of you with red lights flashing. Traffic behind it must:

• A. Pass slowly on the left
• B. Stop and wait until the lights stop flashing and the bus moves
• C. Stop only if children are visible
• D. Flash headlights

Answer: B. In Rhode Island traffic from both directions stops, unless a barrier divides the highway and the bus is on the other side. Topic: school buses.

21. You see a stopped police car or tow truck with flashing lights on the shoulder of a highway. Generally you should:

• A. Keep your speed
• B. Stop behind it
• C. Move over a lane if you safely can, or slow down
• D. Use the shoulder

Answer: C. See move over laws for how the rule works. Topic: sharing the road.

22. When you are turning left at a green light with no arrow, you must:

• A. Go first
• B. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
• C. Wait for the light to turn red
• D. Honk

Answer: B. Topic: right of way, turns.

23. The posted limit is 50 mph, but heavy rain makes it hard to see. You should drive:

• A. At 50 mph
• B. A little over 50 mph to keep up
• C. At a speed that is safe for the conditions, which can be well below 50 mph
• D. With hazard lights flashing at full speed

Answer: C. Topic: speed.

Alcohol, distraction and emergencies (questions 24 to 30)

24. Which statement is true for drivers under 21?

• A. A much lower alcohol limit applies than the 0.08 adult limit
• B. The adult limit applies
• C. Wine does not count
• D. Penalties apply only after a crash

Answer: A. In Rhode Island, 0.02 to 0.08 under 21 is Driving While Impaired. Topic: alcohol.

25. Your friend has been drinking and wants to drive home. The safest choice is:

• A. Let them drive slowly
• B. Give them coffee first
• C. Drive with the windows down
• D. Find a sober driver or another way home

Answer: D. Only time removes alcohol from the body. Topic: alcohol.

26. The best way to handle your phone while driving is to:

• A. Hold it low, out of sight
• B. Put it away and set navigation before you start
• C. Text only at red lights
• D. Use it on straight roads

Answer: B. In Rhode Island drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone at all, even hands-free, except in an emergency. Topic: distracted driving.

27. Your car begins to skid on a slippery road. You should:

• A. Ease off the gas and steer gently in the direction you want to go
• B. Brake hard
• C. Turn the wheel sharply
• D. Accelerate

Answer: A. Topic: emergencies.

28. A tire blows out at speed. What should you do?

• A. Brake hard immediately
• B. Turn sharply onto the shoulder
• C. Grip the wheel firmly, ease off the gas and slow down gradually
• D. Shift into park

Answer: C. Topic: emergencies.

29. When should you dim your high beams at night?

• A. When oncoming vehicles approach or you are following another vehicle
• B. Only in towns
• C. Never on highways
• D. Only in fog

Answer: A. Topic: night driving.

30. What is a simple way to keep a safe following distance?

• A. Stay one car length back at all speeds
• B. Count seconds from when the car ahead passes a fixed point until you reach it, and add time in bad conditions
• C. Follow close enough to see the other driver’s eyes
• D. Match the car ahead exactly

Answer: B. Topic: space management.

Score your practice

Correct out of 30	What it means
27 to 30	Strong. Keep doing your course homework.
21 to 26	At or above 70%. Reread the manual sections you missed.
Under 21	Below 70%. Go back to the Driver’s Manual and your course textbook.

The real exam has 40 questions. The CCRI course uses AAA How to Drive as its textbook; read the current Rhode Island Driver’s Manual alongside it for state rules.

Common questions

Are these the real Rhode Island DMV questions?

No. They are original, unofficial practice questions.

How many questions are on the Rhode Island permit test?

40 multiple-choice questions, with a 90-minute maximum, according to the RI DMV.

What score do I need to pass?

CCRI says 70% on the course final, which serves as the DMV knowledge test. Confirm the pass mark for a retest at the DMV.

How long do I wait after failing?

At least 8 days before you can retake the exam.

Can I take the Rhode Island test online?

No. Teens take it in class at the end of the course, and online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island. Retests are at the Cranston DMV.

Where are practice tests for other states?

See US permit practice tests. The full Rhode Island route is in learning to drive in Rhode Island.

Sources

• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Knowledge Exams” (dmv.ri.gov)
• Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, “Rhode Island Driver’s Manual” (April 2024) (dmv.ri.gov)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Rhode Island Driver Education & Traffic Safety” (ccri.edu)
• Community College of Rhode Island, “Graduated Driver License: Road Map To Get Your License” (ccri.edu)