New Driver Checklist

Applying for a RI Drivers License (Younger than 18)

Rhode Island allows teen residents to apply to receive a drivers license after they turn 16 years old. All drivers in the state, regardless of age, must receive a drivers permit before they are licensed to operate a motor vehicle on RI roadways.

Teens younger than 18 years old are required to complete a 33-hour drivers education course. The driver training is offered through the Community College of Rhode Island.

On your 16th birthday you can visit a Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) branch office and apply for a learners permit. Bring your parents or legal guardians with you to the RI DMV office.

Teen Driver License Documentation

Submit one form of identification that proves your identity and another document that proves that you are a Rhode Island (RI) resident. Photocopied documents are not accepted by the DMV. Also provide the DMV with a certificate that shows that you completed the 33-hour drivers ed course.

Acceptable documents you can use to prove your identity (one of the documents should have your signature on it) are your:

• Birth certificate
• Baptismal certificate
• United States military identification card
• Official naturalization or citizenship certificate
• Social Security card

To prove that you are a RI resident you can use a:

• Current bank statement
• Paycheck stub
• High school diploma or transcript

Pass the vision screening and complete the learners permit application. Ask your parents or legal guardians to sign the application. This certifies that they approve you driving on RI roadways.

Driver License Tests for Teens

Study the RI driver’s manual. You can download a copy of the manual off the DMV website; the manual is listed at the bottom of the page under “New License / Permits.”

Partner with a friend or a relative to take a permit practice test. Questions and topics covered on the written and driving test are included in the driver’s manual.

Practice driving with a licensed driver who is at least 21 years old. The licensed driver must have had their license for at least five years. Drivers who are younger than 18 are required to practice driving for six months and at least 50 hours before they return to the DMV to receive their driver license.

After you are confident that you can pass the written portion of the license test, return to a DMV branch office. Relax and focus on the questions to pass the written test. You have up to 90 minutes to complete the test.

Then, call the DMV at (401) 462-5808 to schedule your driving test.  Arrive to the testing center early. Provide proof of liability auto insurance to the DMV clerk who accompanies you in the motor vehicle for your driving test. Should you fail the driving test, you have to wait at least 30 days to retake the test.

A licensed driver must accompany you each time that you drive until you turn 17 1/2 years old. At that age, you will receive an unrestricted RI driver license.