What to bring to the Rhode Island DMV permit test

For the learner's permit and knowledge test

• Certified birth certificate, active passport, RI/government ID card or resident alien card (no photocopies)
• Under 18: 33-hour driver education certificate of completion
• Two proofs of Rhode Island residency
• Application for Limited Learner Permit (LI-1)
• Permit fee (cash, check, credit card or money order)
• Under 18: parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or adult spouse who is an RI resident and qualified supervising driver

Fees

• Limited permit (under 18): $13.50
• Instructional permit (18 and older): $8.50
• Duplicate permit: $13.50
• Road test: $28.50
• CCRI driver education course: $145 tuition + $10 registration fee

The vision test

At least 20/40 with corrective lenses; vision test at DMV or a Vision Examination Card signed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist.

Bring your glasses or contact lenses if you wear them to see clearly.

For the road test

• Original permit (no photocopies)
• Under 18: signed, notarized affidavit of 50 hours of driving experience
• Supervising driver's license (out-of-state accepted) and the supervising driver present
• Notarized letter from the registered owner if not present (or corporate letter)
• RI registration (military and driving-school exceptions), two plates, insurance card (electronic OK), valid inspection sticker (unless under 2 years old and 24,000 miles or less)
• No rental vehicles, no pets (registered service dogs with documentation), legal tint only

What happens on the road test

After you pass: your permit

• Hold it for at least Under 18: 6 months before the road test, with no moving violation or seat belt conviction in the previous 6 months. 18 and older: hold the learner's permit at least 30 days before the first road test. before the road test.
• Log 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night.
• Under 18: you must first pass the 33-hour accredited classroom driver education course (CCRI, $145 tuition plus a $10 registration fee) and the computerized knowledge exam
• The supervising driver must be at least 21 and licensed at least 5 years, seated beside you
• No one other than the supervising driver in the front seat
• Everyone in the vehicle belted or in a child restraint
• The supervising driver is legally responsible for violations
• Under 18: no cell phone use at all, including hands-free, except in emergencies
• The limited permit is valid one year or until 18, whichever is greater, and may be renewed one time. Check with the DMV before you go. The 18-and-older instructional permit is valid one year and can be renewed once; after that you must retake the knowledge exam.
• 18 and older: you may take the road test after holding the permit 30 days, and you may drive alone without supervision while waiting for the road test.

Before you go

Take a practice test or two the day before, and the exam simulator to check you can pass in the real format. Bring originals, not photocopies, unless the DMV says copies are accepted.