Driving Tests

Rhode Island Permit Test: How the Exam Works and the Score You Need

informational·how to guide·Published June 13, 2026

How does the Rhode Island permit knowledge test work, and what score do you need?

For new drivers under 18, the Rhode Island permit knowledge test is the final exam of the driver education course. CCRI says its final exam serves as the Rhode Island DMV Knowledge Test, and students must earn 70% to pass. Certified instructors give the exam at the end of each course. If you pass the class but fail the exam, you can retake it at the Cranston DMV by appointment.

Where the Rhode Island permit test rules come from

The exam rules come from R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-21, and the course rules come from § 31-10-20, § 31-10-19, § 31-10-6 and § 31-10-7. The 70% pass mark, the retake rule, the class rules and the course cost come from the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) driver education page, the CCRI Student/Parent Agreement and the CCRI curriculum. This guide is current as of 2026. Confirm the rules with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.ri.gov) before you drive.

Who gives the Rhode Island permit test?

For new drivers under 18, the permit test is part of driver education, not a separate first visit to a testing counter. Rhode Island law makes the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) responsible for 33 hours of classroom instruction for applicants up to age 21. The state's standardized written exam is given by certified driver education instructors at the end of each course. If you finish the course and pass that exam, you do not take the written examination again at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (RI DMV).

Rhode Island permit knowledge test at a glance

Rhode Island permit knowledge test at a glance
Question	Answer	Source
What is the test?	The final exam of the 33-hour CCRI driver education course	CCRI driver education page
Who gives it?	Certified driver education instructors, at the end of the course	R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-21(b)
What score passes?	70%	CCRI driver education page
Who can take the course?	Students from 15 years 10 months through age 21	CCRI; R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-19(a)
What does it cost?	$145 tuition, a $10 non-refundable registration fee and a textbook of about $39.95 (as of 2026); the test is part of the course	CCRI driver education page
Are driving lessons included?	No. The course is classroom only	CCRI driver education page

What topics should you study for the Rhode Island knowledge test?

Signs, signals and road markings. You must show that you can read and understand highway signs that regulate, warn and direct traffic (§ 31-10-21). The CCRI course has a unit on signs, signals, road markings and communication. Test yourself with the free question on a stop sign at 2 a.m..
Rules of the road and how a car works. The exam can check the rules of the road, the motor vehicle law, and the operation and mechanism of motor vehicles (§ 31-10-21). Course units include traffic laws, sharing the road, and intersections and freeway driving.
Alcohol and drugs. The course must give 8 hours on the effects of alcohol and drugs on a driver (§ 31-10-19). A 2023 change to the law added the dangers of marijuana-impaired driving to the classroom curriculum.
Distracted driving. The dangers of distracted driving, including cell phone use, must be in the course and in all testing for the state license exam (§ 31-10-19(i)). Try the free question on hands-free phone use.
Your rights at a police stop. The course and the license exam must cover a driver's rights and responsibilities when a law enforcement officer stops the driver (§ 31-10-20(c)).

How to get from the course to the permit

1
Register for a CCRI course
You must be at least 15 years and 10 months old by the first day of class, but you may register earlier. Register online through the CCRI Workforce registration system with a credit card, and buy the textbook, AAA How to Drive, 15th Edition, before the first class.
2
Bring proof of age on day one
Bring a birth certificate, passport or permanent resident card, and your textbook. You must attend the first class to stay enrolled.
3
Attend every hour
If you miss more than six hours of instruction, you cannot complete the course. If you miss six hours or less, you must complete an approved make-up class.
4
Pass the class, then the final exam
Before the exam, you must complete the class requirements that your instructor sets. These can include attendance, participation, homework, quizzes and tests. Then score at least 70% on the final exam.
5
Apply for the limited instruction permit
If you are at least 16 and under 18, you may then apply for a limited instruction permit through the RI DMV. The guide to the Rhode Island permit at 16 covers the permit rules.

What happens after the exam?

You pass the class and score 70% or more

You get a CCRI certificate of completion to present to the RI DMV for the permit. If you lose it, CCRI issues a duplicate for a replacement fee.

You pass the class but fail the DMV Knowledge Exam

You can retake the exam at the Cranston DMV by appointment.

You fail the class

You must take the class over.

What if you are over 18?

The driver education rule in § 31-10-20 covers applicants "not more than eighteen (18) years of age." A person over 18 who held a license from another U.S. state, territory or another country for the full year before applying is excused from it. For applicants 18 and older, the RI DMV may issue a temporary driver's permit, which must be held at least 30 days before the road test. The guide to the adult permit and the 30-day wait explains that route.

Key takeaways

For new drivers under 18, the Rhode Island permit knowledge test is the final exam of the CCRI driver education course, given by certified instructors.
You need 70% on that final exam, which serves as the RI DMV Knowledge Test.
Pass the class but fail the exam: retake it at the Cranston DMV by appointment. Fail the class: take the class over.
Study signs, rules of the road, alcohol and drug effects, distracted driving and your rights at a police stop.
Next step: practice on the free Rhode Island operator license practice test.

Rhode Island permit test: common questions

Can I take the Rhode Island permit test online?

No. The knowledge test is the final exam of a classroom driver education course, and online driver education is not accepted in Rhode Island. If you took a classroom course in another state, you can send its documents to CCRI for review. Approval depends on Rhode Island requirements.

How long is driver's ed in Rhode Island?

The CCRI course has 33 hours of classroom instruction, and the schedule varies by course. Classes run throughout the year at CCRI campuses and community partner locations. Accelerated one-week courses run during the summer and school vacation periods. The permit test is the final exam at the end of the course.

Can I have the test questions read aloud or get extra time?

Students with a current IEP or Section 504 Plan can ask CCRI for accommodations. Examples may include testing in a separate location, test questions read aloud and extended testing time when appropriate. Each request is reviewed individually. Complete the Workforce Accommodations Form and send all pages of the plan at least 14 days before the course starts.

Is there an eye test with the Rhode Island permit test?

Yes. Rhode Island law says the license examination must include a test of the applicant's eyesight. Passing the driver education exam excuses you only from the written examination, so plan for an eyesight test by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.

Are your practice questions the real Rhode Island test questions?

No. Our free Rhode Island practice test and question pages are study help, in English only. They are not real test questions. Use them to check what you know about signs, rules of the road and safe driving, then go back to the course topics that you miss.