Rhode Island DMV Road Test 2026: Closed Course and Scoring

Is there a Rhode Island road test route?

No. The DMV moved non-commercial road tests to a closed course in June 2020, so there’s no route through Providence, Middletown or anywhere else. The test site is in Cranston: the DMV’s skills test guide names Course A at 1 Regan Court and Course B at 600 New London Avenue, so check your appointment receipt for yours.

DMV offices and hours →

The exercises

The skills test guide lists them:

Maneuverability: drive forward into a 9-foot by 20-foot box of markers, back out past the center marker, then steer around it as the examiner directs
Parallel parking: back into a space on your right, ending fully in the space with both tires within 12 inches of the curb
Three-point turnabout: signal, turn fully left and drive across, back up turning right, then drive off the other way
Backing: reverse about 50 feet in a straight line, looking over your right shoulder and keeping a steady distance from the curb

The examiner gives you instructions first, and you can ask questions.

How is the Rhode Island DMV road test scored?

Each error adds points, and more than 15 points fails the test. Each of these counts as an error:

Touching or crossing a boundary line or cone with any part of the car except the mirrors
Each change of direction after your first two
A missing or wrong turn signal
Skipping a traffic check, including any backup or side camera the car has
Parallel parking with your tires more than 12 inches from the curb, or not finishing an exercise as instructed
Not working a control the examiner asks for in the pre-test check

Some mistakes fail you on the spot: a seat belt violation by you or your passenger, a stop sign violation, running over a curb or cone with a wheel, a passenger stepping in with words or a hand, hitting a barrier, and any dangerous action.

The DMV’s preparing page adds that the examiner also stops the test for a collision, any traffic violation, leaving the course, equipment failure or not cooperating, and each counts as a fail.

Car and document requirements

Your car needs a valid Rhode Island registration and plates and a valid inspection sticker, unless it’s under 2 years old with 24,000 miles or less. Bring these to the test:

Your original permit, on the dashboard where the examiner can see it
Proof of Rhode Island insurance, paper or electronic
The license of the supervising driver with you
A notarized letter or Vehicle Use Authorization form if the registered owner isn’t there
Under 18: the notarized affidavit of 50 hours of driving

Before the test, the examiner checks the lights, turn signals, hazard lights, tires, windows that roll down and any tinting, and asks you to work the wipers, horn and headlights. Rental cars, antique vehicles, low-speed vehicles, pets and cameras aren’t allowed. Only one person may come with you, and a supervising driver in the front passenger seat may not give directions: any coaching is an automatic fail. A car registered out of state works only for a military family stationed in Rhode Island or a driving school with an insurance certificate on file.

How to practice for it

The DMV suggests practicing the four exercises with a supervising driver in a parking lot or a quiet street until you get them right, in more than one car if you can. Test in a car you know, and check its lights, signals, wipers and horn before test day.

Booking, cancelling and retesting

Book online or at any DMV branch, as far ahead as you can. At 18 or older, you need your permit for 30 days before your first test; under 18, six months, or until your 18th birthday. Cancel or reschedule in time, or you pay the $28.50 road test fee again. Tests cancelled for a state of emergency, a state office closure or unsafe weather are rescheduled free.

After a fail, the wait grows each time and stays at 180 days until your permit has used up its two possible one-year extensions. Then you need another permit and another knowledge test.

After you pass

You can turn your permit into a first license at the test site. Bring your original permit, a completed LI-1 application, your identity and Social Security documents, two proofs of address and the license fee. Under 18, documents can be notarized there if everyone who signs is present; if your parent or guardian can’t come, get them notarized before you arrive.

Who must take the road test, and in which language

You take it if you’ve never been licensed, hold a license from another country, have a license that expired more than five years ago, or need the DMV to add or remove a restriction for a physical condition other than glasses.

The examiner gives every instruction in English, and the DMV posts road test vocabulary sheets in English, Portuguese and Spanish. State law (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31‑10‑22) also lets an applicant with limited English bring an interpreter aged 18 or older, at their own cost. Ask the Road Test Office how that works on the closed course.

Steps to a license →

Sources: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles · State of Rhode Island General Assembly and 4 more. Checked November 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

Overview Practice test Where to learn Learner’s permit Provisional license Driver’s license Driver’s manual Locations

Other licenses

CDL Motorcycle

The Rhode Island DMV road test