Minimum Driving Age
- Limited Instruction Permit: Available at 16 years old after completing a 33-hour driver education course certified by the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI).
- Provisional License: Eligible at 16½ years old, after holding the permit for at least 6 months and completing required supervised driving hours.
- Full (Unrestricted) License: Available at 18 years old, or earlier if the driver has held a provisional license for 12 months without violations.
Learner’s Permit Rules
- Supervision: Must be accompanied by a licensed driver aged 21 or older with at least 5 years of driving experience, seated in the front passenger seat.
- Holding Period: Must hold the permit for 6 months before applying for a provisional license.
- Practice Hours:
- 50 hours of supervised driving, including:
- 10 hours at night
- 10 hours at night
- 50 hours of supervised driving, including:
- Passenger Restrictions: For the first 6 months, provisional license holders may carry only one non-family passenger under 21 unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.
License Types
- Limited Instruction Permit: For practicing with a licensed adult.
- Provisional License: Intermediate license with restrictions for drivers under 18.
- Full (Unrestricted) License: Available at 18 years old, or earlier if criteria are met.
- Commercial Driver’s License (CDL): Required for operating commercial vehicles.
- Motorcycle License (Class M): Required for operating motorcycles; completion of a motorcycle safety course provided by CCRI is mandatory.
Required Documents for Driving
To apply for a permit or license in Rhode Island, applicants must provide:
- Proof of Identity: Certified government birth certificate (not a copy) or other approved documents.
- Proof of Social Security Number: Social Security card or approved document.
- Proof of Rhode Island Residency: Two documents, such as utility bills, lease agreements, or school transcripts.
- Driver Education Certificate: Required if under 18, showing completion of the 33-hour course.
- Parental Consent: Required if under 18; parent or guardian must accompany the applicant or provide a notarized signature on the application.
Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws
- Children under 2 years and under 30 pounds: Must be secured in a rear-facing car seat.
- Children under 8 years, under 57 inches in height, and under 80 pounds: Must use an appropriate child restraint system (car seat or booster seat) and ride in the rear seat.
- Children aged 8 to 12: Must be properly restrained with a seatbelt in any seat position in the vehicle .
- Seatbelt Use: All passengers aged 13 and older must wear seatbelts.
- Penalties: Violations may result in fines up to $85.
Cell Phone and Distracted Driving Rules
- Handheld Device Use: Prohibited while driving. Drivers may not hold a phone to talk, text, email, or use apps.
- Hands-Free Use: Permitted through in-car systems or accessories like Bluetooth.
- Penalties:
- First offense: Fine up to $100; may be waived upon showing proof of purchase of a hands-free device.
DUI Laws
- Legal BAC Limits:
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- Under 21: 0.02% to 0.08% results in a charge of Driving While Impaired (DWI).
- 21 and over: 0.08%
- First Offense Penalties:
- BAC 0.08% to 0.10%:
- Fine: $100–$300
- Community Service: 10–60 hours
- License Suspension: 30–180 days
- Possible imprisonment up to 1 year
- Fine: $100–$300
- BAC 0.08% to 0.10%:
Speed Limits
- School Zones: 20 mph within 300 feet of school grounds during school hours
- Residential Areas: 25 mph
- Undivided Rural Roads: 50 mph
- Divided Roads: 55 mph
- Interstate Highways: 65 mph on certain segments, such as I-95 from exits 1–24B and I-295
Reckless Driving Laws
- Definition: Operating a vehicle in a manner that endangers the safety of persons or property.
- Penalties:
- Classification: Misdemeanor offense
- Fine: Up to $500
- Imprisonment: Up to 1 year
- License Suspension: Up to 6 months
- Classification: Misdemeanor offense
Points System
- Point Accumulation:
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Accumulating too many points can lead to license suspension.
- Various traffic violations result in points added to the driver’s record.
- Point Reduction:
- Points may be reduced over time with safe driving or by completing approved driver improvement courses.
Insurance Requirements
- Liability Insurance: Rhode Island requires minimum coverage of:
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
- Property Damage: $25,000 per accident
- Bodily Injury: $25,000 per person / $50,000 per accident
Renewal Frequency and Testing
- License Renewal:
- Under 75: Every 5 years
- 75 and over: Every 2 years
- Under 75: Every 5 years
- Vision Test: Required at each renewal.
- Written/Driving Test: May be required if there are medical concerns or after certain violations.
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