Pro tip: To enjoy Rhode Island's coastal drives and cityscapes, comprehensive driving proficiency is essential. Our guides on stick shift navigation and parallel parking will bolster your driving techniques. Practice the steps for reversing into a parking space and executing three-point turns. Ensure your mirrors are well-adjusted for safe driving. Engage with our Online Driving Simulator for virtual driving experience, and if you're from outside the US, review Rhode Island's international driver's license requirements.
I’m between 16.5 and 18 ((Limited Instruction Permit Holder)
I’m 18+ (First Timers, Instruction Permit Holders, and Provisional Driver License Holders)The complete list of suitable documents can be found on page 4 of the application form.
Make sure you wear contact lenses or corrective lenses if needed. Your vision must be at least 20/40 with corrected lenses.
You need to make sure you are not convicted of a moving violation or a safety belt infraction during this time.
You must complete at least 50 hours of driving experience, 10 of which must be done at night. You must be supervised by a licensed adult of at least 21 years of age with 5 or more years of driving experience. Your parent /guardian is required to sign the statement certifying it.
You should schedule the test before your limited instructional permit expires. To schedule, call 401-462-5808 or visit one of the DMV offices. You can find an office close to you on this map.
You should bring the following to your test:
$23.50 paid by cash, check, credit card or money order.
It will measure your ability to drive in normal traffic conditions. You must bring your own vehicle. If you fail the drive test, you must wait at least 30 days before your next attempt. Learn more about the driving test procedure here.
You must be accompanied by your parent/guardian, foster parent or responsible adult.
If you have never been licensed, you may apply for a regular driver license at the age of 18. It will allow you to drive on your own without any restrictions.
If you have a Limited Provisional License, you can apply for your full license at the age of 17 ½. Visit any DMV office accompanied by your parent or guardian and pay $10.00 (under 18 years of age) or $25.00 ( over 18).
If you have a Limited Instructional Permit, start with step 7.
If you have never been licensed or your license expired more than 5 year ago, start with step 1.
The complete list of suitable documents can be found on page 4 of the application form.
$6.50 paid by cash, money orders, checks, and credit card (MasterCard, Discover, Visa and American Express). If you pay by card, you will have to add the $1.50 transaction fee.
Make sure you have the following on your test day:
Please note that
All the instructions will be given in English only. Please check the list of the most common road test vocabulary.
Safety Inspection before the Test
The examiner will check the following features:
Your job is to driver safely, control the vehicle and follow the examiner's instructions. You won't be tricked or asked to do anything illegal.
The examiner will pay attention to the following:
Critical Driving Errors
You will fail the test on the spot if you demonstrate one of the following:
At the end of the test, you will be informed if you passed or failed. The examiner will also explain the mistakes you made. If you pass, you will be able to get your license at a driver licensing office. If you fail for the first time, you will be able to retake it in no less than 30 days. If it is your second/third failure, you will have to wait no less than 90/180 days.
Each consequent attempt will require a 180-day waiting period until you use 2 one-year extensions. If you don't pass by then, you will be asked to reapply for the permit and retake the knowledge test.
Good news! You don't have to convert your valid out-of-state license if any of the following is true:
If you are moving from another state and have an out-of-state driver’s license, you must visit a driver license location and convert your license within 30 days. You do not have to take a knowledge or road test if your out-of-state license is valid or expired less than a year ago.
You can download it here and complete in advance.
You can find an office close to you on this map. No appointment is necessary. Note that you must apply at the Cranston DMV headquarters if you transfer a driver's license of one of US territories ( (American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, Midway Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Republic of Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and US Virgin Islands).
The complete list of suitable documents can be found on page 4 of the application form.
$43.50 by cash, credit card, check or money order. There is a minimum service fee of $1.50 if paying by card.
Your new RI Operator's Driver License will be valid for up to 5 years. Please note that if your out-of-state license expired more than a year ago, you will have to apply at the Cranston DMV headquarters and take both the knowledge and road test.
Once you have met these requirements, the DMV will issue you a temporary driver license that will be valid for the next 30 days. You should receive your permanent driver license in the mail before the temporary license expires. If you have not received it after 30 days, contact the DMV office where you applied for it or call 303-205-5948.
If you are moving to Rhode Island from another country, you will have to convert to the Rhode Island driver license. The procedure is similar to applying for the first driver license. All applicants must pass the computerized knowledge, get an instruction permit and pass road test. You must apply for your RI driver's license at the Cranston DMV headquarters .
For the full step-by-step procedure, go to How to Apply for Full Operator's Driver License in Rhode Island.
