Rhode Island practice tests
Rhode Island's learner's permit test is a computerized knowledge exam on motor vehicle laws and the rules of the road, offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese at the DMV headquarters in Cranston by reservation (applicants who take driver education at CCRI test through CCRI). The RI DMV does not publish how many questions the exam has or its pass mark. Our free Rhode Island practice sets use our own practice size of 25 questions with 20 correct (80 percent) as our practice target, and every answer comes from the Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), which is still the manual the DMV offers, or from the DMV's current Knowledge Exams page where the two differ.
- 25 questions
- 20 to pass
The test in Rhode Island
Every figure links to the page it was read from, with the date it was checked. Formats change; the source wins over this table.
| What | Figure | Source · checked |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge exam | Computerized knowledge exam; number of questions not statedThe DMV Knowledge Exams page says applicants 18 and older, and applicants under 18 who took driver education at a school other than CCRI, take a computerized knowledge exam at DMV headquarters, 600 New London Ave, Cranston, before a learner's permit is issued. The manual says applicants who take the 33-hour CCRI course take the exam through CCRI. Neither the page nor the manual gives the number of questions; our sets of 25 are our own practice size. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| To pass | Not statedNeither the Knowledge Exams page nor the manual prints a pass mark. Our practice sets use 20 of 25 (80 percent) as our own practice target, not an official rule. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Time limit | 90-minute maximum (manual, rev. 08/2015)The manual says the computerized test has a 90-minute maximum but usually takes 20 to 30 minutes. The current Knowledge Exams page does not mention a time limit. Our practice sets are untimed. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
| Booking | By reservation only, during normal business hoursThe current Knowledge Exams page says the computerized exams are available by reservation only. This replaces the older manual (rev. 08/2015), which said no appointment was necessary. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Languages | English, Spanish and Portuguese on computer; other languages in print on requestFor other languages you make a reservation first, then schedule a Foreign Language Knowledge Exam online with the reservation confirmation number. These exams are given in Cranston; you must bring someone who can translate for you before and after the test, arrive at least one hour early, and only the applicant may enter the exam room. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Retakes | Wait at least 8 days after a failed examFrom the Knowledge Exams page. For the road test, the manual says you must wait at least 30 days after a fail. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Online testing | Not statedThe saved DMV page describes only exams taken in person, in Cranston or through CCRI. It does not mention an online knowledge exam. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Minimum age | 16 for a Limited Instructional PermitFrom the manual (rev. 08/2015). Applicants aged 16 to 18 must first pass an accredited 33-hour classroom driver education course and the computerized test. You may register for the course from 15 if you will be at least 15 years and 10 months old when the class begins. Over 18, the course is not required, but the test is. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
| Permit rules | Hold the permit at least 6 months; 50 hours of supervised practice, 10 at nightFrom the manual (rev. 08/2015). The supervising driver must be 21 or older, licensed for at least five years, and seated beside you; no one else may sit in the front seat and everyone must be belted. The permit is valid for one year or until age 18, whichever comes first. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
| Limited Provisional License | No unsupervised driving 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.; one passenger under 21 for the first 12 monthsFrom the manual (rev. 08/2015). Exceptions to the night rule: driving to or from work, or to or from a volunteer fire, rescue or emergency medical activity if you are a member. Immediate family and household members are exempt from the passenger limit. A full license is possible at 17 years 6 months after 12 months on the provisional license with no moving violation or seat belt conviction in the previous six months. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
| Fees | Not listed here; see the DMV's Permit Fees pageThe 2015 manual prints fee amounts but says fees can change by statute, and no current official fee page was available to us when this page was checked, so we do not quote amounts. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| What to bring | Completed License/ID/Permit Application (LI-1) and the documents on the DMV checklistFrom the current Knowledge Exams page, which links the LI-1 form and the Checklist for Licenses / IDs / Permits. Applicants under 18 who took driver education outside CCRI also bring the class completion certificate. Check the current checklist for the exact documents. | RI DMV: Knowledge Examschecked 2026-11-02 |
| Vision test | All applicants; at least 20/40, with any lenses you normally wearFrom the manual (rev. 08/2015). The same manual says a parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or adult spouse who lives in Rhode Island and qualifies as a supervising driver must come with you when you apply for the permit. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
| Manual edition | Rhode Island Driver's Manual, rev. 08/2015This is still the PDF the DMV links from its Operator Manuals page. Where the current Knowledge Exams page differs (reservations, retake wait, languages), our pages follow the current page. | Rhode Island Driver's Manual (rev. 08/2015), PDFchecked 2026-11-02 |
Full tests
- Test 125 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 1 of 6
- Test 225 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 2 of 6
- Test 325 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 3 of 6
- Test 425 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 4 of 6
- Test 525 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 5 of 6
- Test 625 questions · untimed · pass 20difficulty 6 of 6
Handbook chapters
- Chapter 1: Getting your permit and licenseRhode Island's three-level graduated licensing system: driver education, the computerized knowledge exam, the Limited Instructional Permit, the Limited Provisional License and the full operator's license.
- Chapter 2: Distractions, drowsiness and emotionsHow distraction, fatigue, strong feelings, aggressive driving and road rage affect Rhode Island drivers, and what to do about them.
- Chapter 3: Basic driving skills and safety rulesRhode Island seat belt and child seat law, stopping distance, turns, turnabouts, four-way stops, parking limits, passing and backing.
- Chapter 4: Freeway and highway drivingEntering and leaving Rhode Island freeways, lane use, speed limits, the Basic Speed Law, breakdowns, emergency vehicles and cell phone laws.
- Chapter 5: Signals, signs and roadway markingsRhode Island hand signals, line colors and patterns, shared turn lanes, roundabouts and rotaries, traffic lights and arrows, the signs shown in the manual and work zones.
- Chapter 6: Driving emergenciesWhat the Rhode Island manual tells you to do in a skid, brake failure, blowout, stuck accelerator, engine failure, off-road recovery, collision threats, stalls on railroad tracks, fire, water, winter driving and carbon monoxide.
- Chapter 7: Defensive driving and sharing the roadIPDE, the Smith System, the three-second and four-second rules, lane positions, motorcycles, trucks, night driving, pedestrians, blind pedestrians, school buses and bicyclists in Rhode Island.
- Chapter 8: Laws you must know and vehicle equipmentKey Rhode Island traffic laws from the manual: right on red, right-of-way, headlights, snow removal, insurance, earphones, horses, fines, tire tread, window tint and equipment checks.
- Chapter 9: Drinking and drivingHow alcohol and drugs affect Rhode Island drivers, BAC limits for adults and under-21 drivers, implied consent, chemical test refusal, penalties and underage alcohol laws.
- Chapter 10: Collisions and police stopsWhat Rhode Island law requires after a collision, when to report it, what information to collect, the common causes of crashes and how to act when police pull you over.