Behind-the-Wheel Training in Rhode Island

Rhode Island Behind-the-Wheel Training

If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license in Rhode Island, you must complete a period of supervised behind-the wheel driving practice to satisfy requirements of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Your behind-the-wheel training will allow you to gain driving experience, practice the techniques you've learned in Driver's Ed, and prepare you for your DMV road test. The more driving practice you complete, the better prepared you'll be to get on the road with your unrestricted driver's license.

Spending time in the car with an experienced driver will allow you to benefit from your supervisor's driving knowledge and experience. You'll be able to practice defensive driving techniques, maneuver a vehicle in real-time road conditions, and identify bad driving habits.

On this page you'll find information about your behind-the-wheel driving practice requirements and the next steps towards your first driver's license.

Rhode Island Driver's Training Requirements

As part of the Rhode Island DMV young driver requirements for new drivers younger than 18 years old, you'll need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving practice.

You can begin your licensing steps and behind-the-wheel training requirements by:

  • Enrolling in Driver's Ed/driver's training when you are at least 15 years and 10 months old.
  • Applying for your limited instruction permit when you are at least 16 years old.

For more information about learner's permits and driver's education, please visit our pages on those topics:

Rhode Island Behind-the-Wheel Supervision

After you complete Driver’s Ed and obtain your limited instruction permit, you'll be able to drive with a licensed adult who:

  • Is at least 21 years old.
    AND
  • Has held his or her driver's license for at least 5 years.

Before advancing from your learner's permit to a provisional driver's license, you'll need to complete at least 50 hours of supervised driving with at least 10 hours completed at night.

When you have completed your supervised behind-the-wheel driving practice, your parent/legal guardian will need to sign a verification statement when you visit the Rhode Island DMV for your road test.

The time you spend behind the wheel, training with licensed adult, will allow you to gain important driving experience. You'll need as much driving experience and confidence as you can get to ace your Rhode Island DMV driving test and start driving by yourself.

Next Steps - Getting Your Provisional License

You will be eligible to take your driving test and obtain your provisional driver's license after you:

  • Have completed your supervised driver's training.
  • Gain enough driving skill and experience to be comfortable taking your road test and driving alone.
  • Have held your limited instruction permit for at least 6 months.
    • You must not have had any traffic violations during this time.

NOTE: You should schedule your DMV driving test by contacting your local Rhode Island DMV office.

For more information about the next steps towards your full driver's license, please visit our Applying for a New License (Teen Drivers) in Rhode Island page.

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