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
- Check the age rule: 15 years and 10 months by the first day of class.
- 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.
- Register and pay online.
- Read and acknowledge the Student/Parent Agreement.
- Buy the textbook before the first class.
- 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)