Driver training rules in Rhode Island

✓ Checked against official sources · 2026-10-18

Driver training rules in Rhode Island for teen and adult driver's education, CDL schools, carriers that train their own drivers and school bus drivers, each with a link to the official source. Federal ELDT rules (49 CFR Part 380) apply in every state on top of these.

Driver education (teens)	Required for ages 16-17 before the permit: 33-hour driver ed course certified by CCRI (classroom only). No behind-the-wheel hours are part of the required course.source 1 · source 2
Supervised practice (teens)	Permit held at least 6 months; parent affidavit of 50 hours with a supervising driver, 10 at night.source 1
New adult drivers	No course required to get a permit. 18+ may take the road test after holding the learner's permit 30 days.source 1
Who licenses driving schools	RI Division of Motor Vehicles licenses driving schools and instructors (new instructors must pass CCRI course HMNS 2290).source 3
CDL training: state rules beyond federal ELDT	No state hour minimum stated; DMV requires federal ELDT with a training provider before testing.source 4
CDL schools: state license	Yes for paid instruction: RI DMV licenses any business teaching driving for compensation (RIGL 31-10-35; all motor vehicles). No separate CDL-school license.source 5 · source 3
CDL schools: state hours or curriculum	No state hour minimum; federal ELDT only. DMV requires ELDT with a training provider before testing.source 4
CDL schools: instructor rules	Yes. DMV instructor license for anyone employed by a licensed school (RIGL 31-10-39); new applicants must take a CCRI instructor course.source 6 · source 7
Carriers training their own drivers: license	Not settled. The license covers the business of giving driving instruction for compensation (RIGL 31-10-35). The law has no written exemption for carriers training their own employees, and the DMV has not said whether that training needs a school license.source 8 · source 3
Carriers: hours or curriculum	No state hours for anyone; federal ELDT only.source 4
Carriers: instructor rules	Applies only to instructors employed by a licensed school; a carrier that is not a licensed school has no state instructor license duty. Federal 380.605 applies.source 6
New school bus drivers	10-hour training course for new drivers (abbreviated for CDL holders, RI-specific); pass the School Bus Certification Course through CCRI.source 9 · source 10
School bus refresher	3-hour retraining course every year; written exam every 10 years.source 9

Driving manuals and handbooks

Official publications from Rhode Island, checked 2026-10-19. Read them here or download them; the state's own copy is always linked.

Driving jobs in Rhode Island

Rules change. Always confirm with the state agency before you rely on a rule. Something out of date? Email terry@eldt.courses.

Federal rules in every state

CDL entry-level driver training must come from a provider listed on FMCSA's Training Provider Registry, for a first Class A or B CDL, an upgrade to Class A or B, or a first P, S or H endorsement (49 CFR 380.609). See ELDT record keeping under 49 CFR 380.

Sources

1. https://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/new/
2. https://www.ccri.edu/workforce/transportation/DriverEd.html
3. https://dmv.ri.gov/node/1666
4. https://dmv.ri.gov/licenses-permits-ids/commercial/commercial-driving-license-cdl
5. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-10/31-10-35.htm
6. http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-10/31-10-39.htm
7. https://dmv.ri.gov/media/2876/download?language=en
8. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-10/31-10-35.htm
9. https://webserver.rilegislature.gov/Statutes/TITLE31/31-10/31-10-5.1.htm
10. https://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/bus

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