What is the Driving Age in Rhode Island?
You must be 16 years old to start the Graduated Drivers License program in Rhode Island to receive a full driver’s license when you are 17 ½ years old.
Written by Mariza Morin
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
Table of Contents
- What is the driving age in Rhode Island?
- What is the Graduated Drivers License program in Rhode Island?
- How to get your limited instruction permit in Rhode Island
- How to get your limited provisional driver’s license in Rhode Island
- How to save on car insurance in Rhode Island
- FAQs
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As with many states, Rhode Island adopted the Graduated Driving Licensing (GDL) program to help teen drivers — at least 16 years old — safely learn the rules of the road before receiving a full driver's license by age 17 ½.
Excited to get behind the wheel? Of course, you are! But before you do so, it’s important to be aware that the legal driving age varies from state to state. For this reason,
Jerry
, the top-rated car insurance
super app, is here to break down everything you need to know about getting your limited instruction permit and limited provisional driver’s license in the Ocean State.What is the driving age in Rhode Island?
In Rhode Island, the minimum driving age is 16 for a limited instruction permit. Even if you’re 18 years or older, drivers are still required to hold a learner’s permit for 30 days before being granted a standard unrestricted driver’s license.
What is the Graduated Drivers License program in Rhode Island?
Most states have a Graduated Drivers License (GDL) program and Rhode Island is no different. According to the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC), car accidents are the second leading cause of death among teen drivers. Therefore, GDL laws were put in place to slowly educate young drivers in stages on how to drive properly in order to reduce the number of tragedies on the road. GDL laws provide new drivers with driving experience before obtaining a full driver’s license. Typically, most GDL laws include three stages:
- Limited instruction permit: Supervised driving
- Limited provisional license: Limited unsupervised driving
- Full operator’s license: Unrestricted standard driver’s license
How to get your limited instruction permit in Rhode Island
If you’re a novice driver between the ages of 16 and 18, you must participate in the Rhode Island GDL program through the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) before earning a full operator’s license. Before you venture down to your
local DMV location
, come prepared with all the required documents to apply for your learner’s permit.Here are the requirements to acquire a limited instructional permit in Rhode Island:
- You must be at least 16 years old
- Provide allacceptable identification documents
- Complete a 33-hour driver’s education course through theCommunity College of Rhode Island (CCRI)and bring your green CCRI certificate
- Pass the vision test (20/40 vision or better)
- Pay the required $12.50 fee
Once you take all these necessary steps, you’ll then receive your limited instruction permit.
Limited instruction permit restrictions
Congrats! You are now able to get behind the wheel under supervision, but there are restrictions you must abide by before you graduate to the next step.
After you receive your limited instruction permit, remember to keep it with you at all times when you’re driving. Additionally, you must practice driving with an adult supervising in the front seat but no other passenger can be in the car. Limited instruction permits are valid for one year or until you turn 18 years old — whichever comes first.
How to get your limited provisional driver’s license in Rhode Island
So you’ve received your limited instruction permit, practiced driving with an adult supervising driver, and now you’re ready to graduate to the next phase in the GDL program.
Here are the requirements to acquire a limited provisional driver’s license in Rhode Island:
- You must be at least 16 ½ years old
- Hold a limited instruction permit for at least six months
- Present a signed affidavit by a parent that you’ve completed 50 hours of supervised driving practice, including 10 hours at night
- Pass theroad test
- Pay the required $24.50 fee
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Limited provisional driver’s license restrictions
Another congratulations are in order now that you’ve obtained your limited provisional license! But again, there are restrictions you must follow before you jump to the final stage of receiving your full operator’s license. With a limited provisional license, you may drive alone under specific restrictions.
You’re allowed to drive unsupervised in the following situations:
- Between 5 am and 1 am
- When driving to and from work or if you’re a volunteer for the fire department, rescue squad, or emergency medical service
- Between 4 am and 5 am for school-sponsored athletic activities if the school doesn’t provide transportation
And of course, you must have your license with you at all times when you’re driving! During the first 12 months of holding a limited provisional, you cannot have more than one passenger in your vehicle that’s younger than 21 years old. Though, immediate family or household members are the exceptions to this rule.
Young drivers may receive a full operator’s license if they are at least 17 years old and have held their limited provisional license for at least 12 months with no motor vehicle violations during the last six months. Or, once you turn 18, you can renew your provisional license and receive a full driver’s license to drive unrestricted in the Ocean State.
How to save on car insurance in Rhode Island
After you receive your Rhode Island driver’s license, remember to also get the
right insurance coverage for a teen driver
. And car insurance comparison super app Jerry
can help you find the best coverage at the best price in less than one minute. You read that correctly — all you have to do is download the Jerry app, enter your information, and you’ll quickly unlock multiple customized rates from dozens of top providers in the nation. Once you find a policy that works for you, Jerry’s team will take it from there, from finalizing all the paperwork to helping you cancel your old policy.
Jerry is a one-stop-shop that all drivers need in their pockets. On average, Jerry users save over $800 on
car insurance
every year!“Because I have a luxury car, I was more interested in finding better coverage than the exact price.Jerryhelped me upgrade my policy, and when my record is cleared next year, I will be using Jerry again to choose an even cheaper plan!” —Paige W.
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Can you get a Rhode Island driver’s license at 16?
In Rhode Island, you may obtain a limited instruction permit at the age of 16 once you complete a 33-hour driver’s education course through the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) and receive your green CCRI certificate. Additionally, you’ll need to complete your LI-1 application, provide all acceptable identification documents, and pass your vision test.
Can you drive by yourself at 17 in Rhode Island?
Once you get your limited provisional driver’s license, you may drive by yourself between 5 am and 1 am. You may also drive alone to and from work or if you’re a volunteer with the fire department, rescue squad, or emergency medical service. You’re allowed to drive between 4 am and 5 am for school-sponsored athletic activities if the school doesn’t provide transportation.
