Rhode Island Driver's Permit Requirements
Everything you need to get your Rhode Island learner's permit — age, fees, required documents, supervised-hours rules, and what happens after — summarized from the official DMV pages and linked to the source.
Last verified 2026-07-13 · Source: RI Division of Motor Vehicles — New License Permits ↗
Fees and rules change — always confirm current requirements on the official page above before you go.
How to get your permit in Rhode Island
- At 16+, complete Rhode Island's certified 33-hour driver education course and gather the LI-1 application plus required identity, residency, and Social Security documents
- Schedule a Cranston DMV appointment for the permit test and bring the application, checklist documents, and any required driver education completion certificate
- Pass the computerized knowledge exam and pay the $13.50 limited permit fee to receive the Limited Instruction Permit
- Hold the permit at least 6 months while completing 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 at night
- Pass the road test, submit the supervised-driving affidavit, and pay the $29.50 limited provisional license fee while following Rhode Island's first-year passenger restriction
Rhode Island GDL restrictions for new drivers
- Permit supervision: Applicants under 18 drive on a Limited Instruction Permit and must follow Rhode Island's graduated licensing process until eligible for the limited provisional license
- Permit renewal: The learner's permit may be renewed two times; if it has been renewed twice or has been expired for two years or more, the learner's permit test must be retaken
- Provisional passenger rule: During the first 12 months of a limited provisional license, no more than one passenger younger than 21 is allowed unless the passenger is an immediate family or household member
- Provisional seat belts: Every person in the vehicle must wear a properly fastened safety belt and each passenger younger than 13 must ride in the rear seat while the vehicle is moving
Documents you'll need
- Completed License/ID/Permit Application (LI-1)
- All required identity and residency documents from the Rhode Island permit checklist
- Social Security card or Social Security number documentation
- Driver education completion certificate if the under-18 applicant completed an approved course outside CCRI
- Parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent, or adult spouse present to sign the application if the applicant is under 18
- Guardianship or foster-parent authorization documents when applicable
The details
- Permit eligibility: Rhode Island issues a Limited Instruction Permit to residents age 16 but less than 18 who completed the certified 33-hour driver education course
- Permit fee details: Rhode Island's permit fee table lists the Limited Permit (under age 18) fee at $13.50
- License fee: $29.5 — Rhode Island's license fee table lists the Limited Provisional License (under age 18) fee at $29.50
- Permit validity: 12 months — The permit is valid for one year or until the applicant turns 18, whichever is greater
- Practice hour details: Rhode Island requires an affidavit showing 50 supervised driving hours, including 10 at night, before the limited provisional license is issued
- Knowledge test: 40 questions; 80% to pass; Web search: sources vary (70-80% passing, 40 or 50 questions); 40 questions at 80% (32 correct) most consistently cited
- Retake wait after failing: 8 days — Applicants who fail the knowledge exam must wait at least 8 days before retaking it
Frequently asked questions
How old do you have to be to get a permit in Rhode Island?
You can get a learner's permit in Rhode Island at 16. Rhode Island issues a Limited Instruction Permit to residents age 16 but less than 18 who completed the certified 33-hour driver education course.
How much does a Rhode Island permit cost?
The Rhode Island permit fee is $13.5. Rhode Island's permit fee table lists the Limited Permit (under age 18) fee at $13.50.
How long do you have to hold your permit in Rhode Island?
You must hold your Rhode Island permit for at least 6 months before the driving test.
How many practice driving hours does Rhode Island require?
Rhode Island requires 50 hours of supervised practice driving, including 10 at night.
Where can I practice for the Rhode Island permit test?
Right here — take a free Rhode Island practice test in your browser, or get the free DMV Prep app for the full DMV-format experience with a readiness score.
