Rhode Island driver's license
Get your first license in Rhode Island after moving to the US.
The short answer
Rhode Island requires a road test from anyone who has never been licensed in any state.1 If you fail the knowledge exam, you must wait at least eight days before you retake it.2 Every license fee includes a $3.50 technology surcharge.3 You take the road test in a vehicle you supply or in a dual-controlled vehicle supplied by the state, and rental cars are not allowed.4, 5
How it goes
- 1You arriveYou have moved to Rhode Island and you want to drive here.
- 2Your permitYou practice on the road with a learner permit.
- 3The written testYou take the written test.
- 4Behind the wheelYou take the drive test behind the wheel.
- 5Your licenseYou pass the tests, and the license is yours.
What it costs
If you just arrived in the US
If your license from another state has expired
If your out-of-state license expired less than 5 years ago, you can transfer it directly. If you no longer have the card, a certified driving record from that state showing the issue date, license number, your personal information, and the expiration date works instead. If the license expired 5 years or more ago, you must take the learner's permit test, given only at the Cranston location and by reservation, and then schedule a road test.6
If you have no license to transfer
If your out-of-state driver's license is expired five years or more, you cannot do a direct transfer and must take the learner's permit test at Cranston headquarters by reservation and then schedule a road test.7
Documents you need
- Documents that are still validA document that proves your identity, such as a birth certificate or a passport, must not be expired or renewed within the past six months.8
- Federal immigration documents must be unexpired. Out-of-state and Canadian driver licenses are accepted for transfer if expired for less than 5 years.9
Your Social Security Number
Giving your number, and who may see it
The DMV collects Social Security numbers and tax identification numbers only to the extent required by federal law. Neither number appears, digitally or visually, on the driver's license.10
Tests you take
Eye test
Your eyesight is screened as part of the examination.11
Drive test
You must take a driving test if you have never been licensed in any state, if your only license is from another country, or if your Rhode Island or out-of-state license has been expired for more than 5 years.1
You must take a road driving test if you hold a driver license from a foreign country, have never held a US license, or hold a license expired for more than 5 years.12
An applicant transferring an out-of-state license that has been expired for five years or more must take the learner permit test and schedule a road test.13
Tries you get on the written test
Applicants who fail the knowledge exam must wait at least 8 days before retaking it.2
What to bring to the drive test
The car and its insurance
Rental vehicles, antique vehicles, low-speed vehicles, cameras or recording devices, and pets are prohibited during the road test.5
The road test may be taken in a vehicle supplied by the applicant or a dual-controlled vehicle supplied by the state. Applicants for chauffeur credentials, automatic-shift only, or specially equipped disabled vehicles must furnish their own vehicle.4
The test vehicle must have a valid Rhode Island registration, valid plates, and a valid Rhode Island inspection sticker; vehicles less than 2 years old and under 24,000 miles are exempt from the sticker.18
Where to go
Who gives the tests
Rhode Island DMV motor vehicle operator examiners give the non-commercial road skills test on a closed course, from outside the vehicle.19
Booking an appointment
You can book an appointment at ridmvreservations.ri.gov.20
Office locations
The Rhode Island DMV lists its branches and their hours at https://dmv.ri.gov/locations-hours.21
Other states
U
Sources
Every numbered fact above is quoted from the page that publishes it, in the words it uses.
- 1
“You will be required to take a driving test if you have: Never been licensed in any state or you hold a foreign country license. Your License has been expired for more than 5 years. Your Out of State License has been expired for more than 5 years.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked August 1, 2026
- 2
“Failed Exams Applicants that fail to pass the knowledge exam must wait at least 8 days before retaking the exam.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/knowledge-examsChecked July 26, 2026
- 3
“All fees listed below include $3.50 technology surcharge.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/license-feesChecked August 4, 2026
- 4
“All applicants for a motor vehicle license shall pass a motor vehicle road test as prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles in a motor vehicle supplied by the applicant or in a dual-controlled motor vehicle supplied by the state. In the case of the examination for a chauffeur to operate a truck, tractor, trailer, tractor semi-trailer, bus, or other vehicle for hire, or a person who will operate only a vehicle equipped with automatic shift, or a person who is disabled and requires the use of a specially equipped motor vehicle, the person shall be examined in a vehicle furnished by the person. At the option of any person who is disabled, the road test shall be administered by the local office of the division of motor vehicles nearest that person’s home.”
webserver.rilegislature.gov/…/31-10-22.htmChecked August 2, 2026
- 5
“Vehicle Prohibitions· No cameras or recording devices will be allowed during the test· Due to the lack of modern safety features, NO tests will be permitted in antique vehicles· NO tests will be permitted in low-speed vehicles· No rental vehicles are allowed for the road tests· No pets allowed in the vehicle”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked July 26, 2026
- 6
“Your current Out of State License that is valid or has been expired for less than 5 years OR if that is unavailable, a certified driving record from your state showing the issue date, license number, your personal information and expiration date of your out of state license. If your current license is expired five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test. The learner's permit test is given at the Cranston location only. Reservations are required.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/out-statecountry-transfersChecked August 14, 2026
- 7
“If your current license is expired five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test. The learner's permit test is given at the Cranston location only. Reservations are required.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/out-statecountry-transfersChecked August 14, 2026
- 8
“a document to prove your identity (such as a birth certificate or passport that has not been expired or renewed within the past six months)”
dmv.ri.gov/licenses-permits-ids/real-idChecked July 26, 2026
- 9
“A valid, unexpired Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)”
web.archive.org/…/downloadChecked August 1, 2026
- 10
“The division of motor vehicles shall collect from applicants and licensees their social security numbers and tax identification numbers only to the extent required by federal law. The numbers shall not be included, either digitally or visually, on the operator’s or chauffeur’s license.”
web.archive.org/…/31-10-26.htmChecked August 1, 2026
- 11
“The examination shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight.”
r.jina.ai/…/31-10-21.htmChecked August 4, 2026
- 12
“Who is Required to Take a Road Test You will be required to take a driving test if you have: Never been licensed in any state or you hold a foreign country license. Your License has been expired for more than 5 years. Your Out of State License has been expired for more than 5 years.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked July 26, 2026
- 13
“If your current license is expired five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/out-statecountry-transfersChecked August 1, 2026
- 14
“If your permit is expired two years or more, you need to retake the learner's permit test.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/new-license-permitsChecked July 26, 2026
- 15
“Applicants that fail to pass the knowledge exam must wait at least 8 days before retaking the exam.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/knowledge-examsChecked August 4, 2026
- 16
“Drivers will be tested on skills and knowledge as listed in the Rhode Island Driving Manual”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked July 26, 2026
- 17
“Review the Rhode Island Driver's Manual”
dmv.ri.gov/…/new-license-permitsChecked July 26, 2026
- 18
“The vehicle to be used must have a valid RHODE ISLAND registration. The only exceptions are as follows: • If the vehicle is registered to a military person or a family member of a military person stationed in RI. (Valid military ID is required) • A driving school with a valid out-of-state registration, must have current special RI Financial Responsibility Insurance Certificate (GU-1338) on file with RI DMV. The Road Test Examiner will conduct an inspection of the following items prior to allowing the vehicle to be used for testing:· Valid RI registration/plates· Valid RI Inspection Sticker*· Directional Lights· Headlights· Brake Lights · Hazard Lights· Tires· Windows (must roll down)· Sunscreen Tinting· Aftermarket Window Tinting*Vehicles less than 2 years old and under 24,000 miles are exempt”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked August 3, 2026
- 19
“Beginning in June of 2020 DMV examiners will be proctoring non-commercial skills tests on a closed course and from outside the vehicle.”
dmv.ri.gov/…/road-testsChecked July 26, 2026
- 20
“https://ridmvreservations.ri.gov/”
dmv.ri.gov/…/make-reservationChecked August 1, 2026
- 21
“https://dmv.ri.gov/locations-hours CAPTURED: 2026-07-26 via connected Chrome (dmv.ri.gov refuses curl with a”
dmv.ri.gov/locations-hoursChecked August 1, 2026
Applying for a driver's license in Rhode Island?
Answer a few questions and see the steps that apply to you.