Rhode Island DMV Handbook 2025

In Rhode Island, all drivers, regardless of age, must obtain an instructional permit before applying for a driver’s license. The requirements to obtain an instructional permit include being at least 16 years old and passing a vision test and a computerized knowledge (permit) test on driving theory. If you’re under 18, you have a few other requirements to meet first: You must begin a 33-hour classroom driver’s education course (no driving) at age 15 years and 10 months or older. You must complete the course before applying for the instructional permit. Your parent, guardian, or adult spouse must come with you to the DMV to co-sign your application for a permit there. (If you’re at least 18 years old, driver’s education is not required, nor does any adult have to co-sign your application.)

The driver’s education course is offered by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and some commercial driving schools. The knowledge (permit) test is included in the CCRI course; otherwise, you must take the test at the DMV Cranston headquarters.

All questions on the knowledge test are based on the official Rhode Island DMV driver’s 2025 handbook (Rhode Island DMV Handbook (RI Driver's Manual) 2025). We have made this manual available (in PDF format) for easy download from this webpage.

You should study the manual, but this may not ensure you pass the permit test. (Too many applicants learned this lesson the hard way.) In contrast, our permit test preparation program is guaranteed to help you pass on your first try – or your money back!

We have also created an audiobook of the English version of the official driver’s manual. It’s formatted as a downloadable series of seventeen MP3 files, one for each chapter of the handbook: applying for a license, the effects of distractions, basic driving skills, and so on. The total running time of this audiobook is approximately 3 hours, 14 minutes, and 37 seconds, so you should be able to listen to the entire audiobook in a few days. Try listening to an audiobook file while you follow along with the text of the PDF version. This technique can help you concentrate on the material.

In addition to the official handbook, we also offer our own permit test study guide (available elsewhere on this website), which you can read to prepare for the big knowledge test day. It covers how to prepare mentally and physically to pass the test, what documents to have with you, fees you may have to pay, and test questions that applicants frequently miss.