Supervised practice and driver education in Rhode Island

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain the 50-hour and 10-night-hour practice rule.
• You can describe who may supervise you.
• You can outline the 33-hour driver education course and when you can start it.
• You can say what paperwork proves your practice hours.

What you need to know and understand

• Teens need a 33-hour classroom driver education course before the permit.
• You can start the course if you are at least 15 years 10 months old on the first day.
• CCRI says online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island, and its course has no behind-the-wheel lessons.
• You must log at least 50 hours of supervised driving, with 10 of them at night.
• A signed and notarized affidavit of the 50 hours is required at the road test for drivers under 18.
• Supervisors must be at least 21 and licensed for at least 5 years.
• The supervisor sits beside you and is legally responsible for violations.

The classroom part

The 33-hour course is run by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and several approved private driving schools. It is classroom only. CCRI currently lists tuition of $145 plus a $10 non-refundable registration fee, and you buy the AAA How to Drive textbook separately. Fees can change, so check before you enroll.

Attendance is strict at CCRI: you must attend the first class, and missing more than six hours means you cannot complete the course. New residents under 18 who took driver education in another state may be able to take a short Rhode Island class instead, if their course meets the state standard.

Building your 50 hours

• Start in quiet places such as empty lots and residential streets.
• Move on to busier roads, highways and roundabouts as your control improves.
• Plan at least 10 hours after dark, and practice in rain if you can do so safely.
• Keep a log with the date, time, length and conditions of each drive.
• Everyone in the car must be belted, and no one but your supervisor sits in front.

Proving your hours

When you apply for the provisional license, a parent or guardian signs a statement that you completed at least 50 hours, including 10 at night. At the road test, drivers under 18 must bring a signed and notarized affidavit of those hours, so find a notary before test day.

Our guides to the 33-hour course and the 50-hour affidavit give more detail.

Common mistakes

• Leaving the night hours until the last week before the test.
• Forgetting to get the affidavit notarized.
• Practicing only the same short route, which leaves gaps in highway and bad-weather experience.
• Signing up for an online course that Rhode Island does not accept.

Test yourself: Supervised practice and driver education in Rhode Island

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Rhode Island Driver’s Ed
• Rhode Island Permit Practice Test
• Learning to Drive in Rhode Island