Apply for a License (Under 18) in Rhode Island

Applying for a Teen Driver's License in Rhode Island

If you're a teenager applying for your first driver's license, you'll need to complete the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) young driver requirements.

These steps to obtain your new driver's license, which include education and driving practice, will prepare you to become a safe, knowledgeable driver, and help you ace your DMV driving test.

On this page you'll find information about the Rhode Island DMV young driver requirements and what you need to do to get your driver's license.

New to Rhode Island?

If you have recently moved to Rhode Island and have an out-of-state driver's license, you must transfer it within 30 days of moving.

You will need to visit your local Rhode Island DMV office and:

  • Submit a completed Application for License, Identification Card and Permits (Form LI-1).
  • Submit your out-of-state driver's license OR your out-of-state driving record.
  • Prove your identity and RI residency. See the application form for more accepted documents.
  • Pay the $39.50 fee.

If you are transferring your out-of-state provisional driver's license, you may need to pass the RI DMV written knowledge exam and road test.

For more information about transferring your out-of-state learner's permit or provisional license, contact the Rhode Island DMV.

RI Teen Licensing Program & Restrictions

The Rhode Island young driver requirements apply to you if you're a new driver younger than 18 years old.

You'll need to complete the following stages:

  • Complete a driver's education course.
  • Limited instruction permit, which allows you to drive with an adult who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least 5 years.
  • Limited provisional license, which allows you to drive:
    • Supervised at any time.
    • Unsupervised between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.
    • With no more than 1 passenger who is younger than 21 years old, unless he or she is an immediate family member (this restriction is for the 1st year).
  • Full, unrestricted driver's license.

Rhode Island Learner's Permit

After you turn 16 years old and have completed a Rhode Island driver's education program, you can apply for your learner's permit.

For more information about the RI DMV driver's education requirements, please see our Driver's Ed in Rhode Island page.

To apply for your Rhode Island learner's permit, you'll need to visit a Division of Motor Vehicles office with your parent/legal guardian and:

  • Submit a completed Application for License, Identification Card and Permits (Form LI-1).
  • Provide your birth certificate, Social Security card, and proof of your RI residency. Refer to the application form for details.
  • Provide your driver's education completion certificate.
  • Pass the DMV written test.
  • Pass a vision exam.
  • Pay the $12.50 learner's permit fee.
Prepare for the Written Test

The DMV suggests studying the Rhode Island Driver Manual in order to pass the written test. We also suggest using an online practice test form our certified partner. These tests have been developed to help you pass on your first attempt.

Driving Restrictions and Behind-the-Wheel Practice

With your learner's permit you may only drive while accompanied by an adult who is at least 21 years old and has been licensed for at least 5 years.

Before moving on to the next steps of the Rhode Island DMV teen licensing program, you'll need to:

  • Hold your instruction permit for at least 6 months.
  • Complete 50 hours of supervised driving, with 10 hours completed at night.
  • Schedule your RI DMV road test by contacting the Rhode Island DMV.

Provisional Driver License

You'll be able to obtain your provisional driver license after you have:

  • Held your learner's permit for at least 6 months.
  • Completed 50 hours of driving practice, including 10 hours at night.

To apply, visit your local Rhode Island DMV office with your parent/legal guardian or other licensed adult and:

  • Pass your DMV driving test.
  • Surrender your learner's permit.
  • Pay the $27.50 road test fee. (This is usually paid when you schedule your road test.)
  • Pay the $24.50 provisional license fee.

You'll be eligible for your unrestricted Rhode Island driver's license once you are at least 17 years old and have had your provisional driver's license for at least 1 year.

Provisional License Driving Restrictions

With your provisional driver's license, you can:

  • Drive supervised at any time. Your licensed supervisor must be at least 21 years old and have held their driver's license for at least 5 years.
  • Drive unsupervised:
    • Between 5 a.m. and 1 a.m.
    • If traveling to and from work.
  • NOT drive with more than 1 passenger who is younger than 21 years old, unless he or she is an immediate family member.

Full Unrestricted RI Driver License

You can upgrade to an unrestricted Rhode Island driver's license if you:

  • Are at least 17 years old.
  • Have held your provisional driver's license for at least 1 year.
  • Have had no traffic violations in the past 6 months.

Visit the Division of Motor Vehicles office near you and be prepared to:

  • Surrender your provisional driver's license.
  • Pay the new driver's license fee of $39.50

You can keep track of and share your progress when you follow our new license checklist.

Forms

LI-1
Application for License, Identification Card and Permit
Apply for an original, renewal, OR duplicate learner's permit, driver's license, motorcycle license, OR identification card with the Rhode Island DMV.
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