The Rhode Island road test

By the end of this topic you can

• You can book the test and bring every required document.
• You can check that your car will pass the examiner's inspection.
• You can list the maneuvers on the test.
• You can name the errors that end the test immediately.

What you need to know and understand

• You need at least 6 months on your permit before the test.
• Book online with a reservation, well before your permit expires.
• A parent, legal guardian or instructor who qualifies as a supervisor must be present.
• Under 18 you must bring the signed and notarized 50-hour affidavit.
• The car must be registered in Rhode Island, insured, inspected and have two plates; rentals are not allowed.
• The test includes pre-driving checks, maneuverability, parallel parking, a three-point turnabout and backing.
• If you fail, you must wait at least 30 days to retest, 90 days after a second fail and 180 days after a third.

Documents to bring

• Your original permit, which is your ID for the test. No photocopies.
• The signed, notarized affidavit of 50 hours of driving (all drivers under 18).
• Your supervising driver's license (an out-of-state license is fine).
• A notarized letter from the owner if the owner or their spouse is not in the car, or from the company for a corporate vehicle.
• The vehicle registration and proof of Rhode Island insurance (electronic is accepted).
• The test fee. Check the DMV fee table for the current amount.

Getting the car ready

The car needs Rhode Island registration (with narrow exceptions for military families and some driving schools), two plates, insurance and a valid inspection sticker, unless it is under 2 years old with 24,000 miles or less. No rentals and no pets. The examiner checks the engine, brake lights, turn signals, both headlight beams, hazard lights, tires, horn, windows that roll down and legal tint. Missing documents or an unsafe car mean rescheduling; you cannot leave to fetch them.

On the test

Expect pre-driving procedures, a maneuverability test, parallel parking, a three-point turnabout, backing and other everyday driving tasks. Instructions are in English, and a vocabulary list in Spanish and Portuguese is available from the DMV. Use a car you know well, so you can find the wipers, lights and hazard switch without looking.

• Instant fails include a seat belt violation by you or a passenger, a stop sign violation, hitting a curb or cone, any intervention by the examiner, hitting a barrier and any dangerous action.
• The test can also be stopped for a collision, any traffic violation, leaving the roadway, lack of cooperation or equipment failure.

After the result

Pass, and you go to the DMV to get your provisional license before your permit expires. Fail, and you book again online and wait at least 30 days; the DMV extends this to 90 days after a second fail and 180 days after a third. Cancel or reschedule at least 48 hours ahead to avoid paying another test fee. Our road test checklist guide covers each maneuver in more depth.

Common mistakes

• Bringing an un-notarized practice affidavit.
• Using a rental car or a car with a burned-out brake light.
• Rolling through a stop sign during the test.
• Touching a cone while parallel parking.

Test yourself: The Rhode Island road test

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

Go deeper

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