Rhode Island Learners Permit
If you want to get a license in Rhode Island, you will have to apply for the Rhode Island learners permit first. The learners permit allows you to start your driving lessons and gain some driving experience before you take your road exam.
Types of Learners Permit
The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues the following types of drivers permits:
- Limited instruction permit
- Instruction permit
The limited instruction permit is issued to permit applicants who are under 18 while the instruction permit is issued to all permit applicants who are 18 and older. The permits are part of the Rhode Island graduated drivers license system and allow to apply driving restrictions to drivers of a certain age.
Graduated Drivers License System
The graduated driving license (GDL) system in some form exists in pretty much every state. The program targets teenage drivers and aims at reducing the number of casualties on the roads. This is achieved by introducing better education and a number of restriction to those drivers who are below the age of 18.
Limited Instruction Permit
The minimum age for obtaining the limited instruction permit is 16. If you are applying for the limited instruction permit, you have to complete one of the certified Rhode Island drivers education classes. The class will prove useful when you will be taking your Rhode Island permit exam as it covers the same topics and provides you with a better understanding of Rhode Island driving rules.
When you visit the DMV office for your permit test, you will be required to present the following documents:
- Certificate of completion for drivers education
- Social security card
- Birth certificate
- Learners permit application form
When you arrive for your appointment, you will have to pay the application fee of $11.50. Once you pass your exam, you will be issued with your limited instruction permit. The permit is valid for 1 year or until you turn 18. The minimum holding period for the permit is 6 months and you cannot apply for your Rhode Island driver's license sooner.
Instruction Permit
The instruction learner permit is issued to applicants who are 18 years old or older and the application procedure is quite similar. You still have to take the written exam at the DMV, but you are not required to take the drivers education course.
When you visit the DMV to apply for the instruction permit, please bring the following:
- Social security card
- Proof of identity
- Proof of residence
- The $6.50 permit fee
Once you pass your permit exam, you will be issued with your instruction permit. The permit is valid for 6 months and you are expected to take your driving test during this period.
Learners Permit Restrictions
The main reason why the state issues learners permits is to allow you to gain some driving experience before you go in for the road test. The learners permit holder must have a licensed drivers accompanying him at all times while operating a vehicle. The permit also has passenger and curfew restrictions that you have to observe.
Learners Permit Exam
If you want to pass your learners permit exam, you have to prepare for it. Those applicants who went though one of the drivers education classes should already feel pretty comfortable as the drivers education program prepares you for the permit exam.
Those permit applicants who skipped on drivers ed can obtain a copy of the DMV drivers handbook and use it to prepare for the test. Once you are done with the book, go over a few Rhode Island practice permit tests to make sure you remember the rules.
