Rhode Island CDL Requirements

CDL Classes in Rhode Island

You must be at least 18 years old to operate a commercial motor vehicle within the state of Rhode Island (intrastate) and at least 21 years of age to operate a commercial motor vehicle outside the state of Rhode Island (interstate). You must also be at least 21 years old to transport materials that are deemed hazardous and to transport passengers using a commercial motor vehicle. You need a Rhode Island CDL in order to operate either commercial or non-commercial motor vehicles that fall into the following categories:

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Class A
Any combination of vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 pounds or more, provided that the gross vehicle weight rating of the towed vehicle is in excess of 10,000 pounds.

Class B
Any single vehicle with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 26,001 or more pounds, as well as any vehicle towing another vehicle that does not exceed a weight of 10,000 pounds.

Class C
Any vehicle or combination of vehicles that does not meet the criteria of either Class A or Class B, but is designed to transport 16 or more passengers (including the driver), or is used in transporting materials classified as hazardous in the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act. Each applicant must also have a passenger or hazardous materials endorsement in order to obtain a Class C commercial driver’s license.

Applying for a Rhode Island Commercial Learner’s Permit

You must already possess a Rhode Island commercial learner’s permit (CLP) before you can take the CDL Skills Test. Before applying for a Rhode Island commercial learner’s permit, you must already possess a valid Rhode Island Class D (non-commercial) driver’s license. You will be issued a Rhode Island commercial driver’s license (CDL) when you pass both the written general knowledge test and the CDL Skills Test.

Please note: Effective December 12, 2025, and until further notice, the Rhode Island DMV cannot issue non-domiciled Commercial Driver’s Licenses or Commercial Learner’s Permits. This includes new issuance, transfers, updates, duplicates, renewals, knowledge tests, and skills testing.

In order to obtain a Rhode Island commercial learner’s permit, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old for intrastate driving (within the state of Rhode Island only).
• Be at least 21 years of age for interstate driving (outside the state of Rhode Island).
• Be at least 21 years of age to transport materials deemed hazardous.
• Be at least 21 years of age to transport passengers in a CMV.
• Have at least two years of driving experience (periods during which your driving privileges were suspended do not count toward the two-year minimum).
• Possess a valid Rhode Island Class D (non-commercial) driver’s license.
• Provide your current out-of-state driver’s license or I.D. card (if you are not currently licensed in the state of Rhode Island).
• Provide original documented proof of your identification.
• Provide original documented proof of U.S. legal presence (proof of status as a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident, originals only).
• Provide proof of your current Rhode Island residency that shows your name and address (i.e., a utility bill, vehicle registration, insurance card).
• Provide your Social Security card.
• Complete a DOT medical examination with an FMCSA-certified medical examiner before your CLP is issued. Your examiner will electronically submit your medical certification to the FMCSA National Registry.
• Certify that your privilege to drive any motor vehicle is not currently suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified anywhere.
• Certify that you currently hold no more than one driver’s license.
• Self-certify that you intend to drive a CMV in either intrastate commerce or interstate commerce.
• Pass the physical exam (must be administered by a FMCSA certified physician).
• Pass the vision exam (you must have at least 20/40 vision in each eye with or without glasses).
• Pass the color blindness test (you must be able to recognize green, red, and amber colors).
• Complete and sign the Application for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-1) and a CDL Test Authorization.
• Pass the CDL written knowledge test.
• Pay the $73.50 fee for a new commercial learner’s permit.
• Pay the $23.50 knowledge test fee (an additional $10 for each additional test).

In addition, within the two years before applying you must not have been convicted of three or more moving violations within any twelve-month period; within the prior three years your driving privileges must not have been suspended for a moving violation and you must not have been convicted of reckless driving or eluding law enforcement; and within the prior five years you must not have been convicted of any drug or alcohol violation.

Any applicant who plans to drive a school bus must obtain a Rhode Island School Bus Certificate from the DMV.

All CDL transactions are done at the Cranston DMV Headquarters in Cranston, RI, by appointment only. If you have any questions about which documents to bring to the Cranston Headquarters DMV Office when you apply for your commercial learner’s permit, you can contact the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles at (401) 462-4368, Monday through Friday. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is closed on all statewide holidays.

The CDL Written Tests

All CDL written tests are administered at the Cranston DMV Headquarters by appointment only, from 8:30 am to 1:30 pm. All commercial driver’s license applicants must pass the general knowledge written test in order to be eligible to receive a CDL. The CDL general knowledge test consists of 50 questions. In order to receive a passing score, each applicant is required to answer at least 80% of the questions correctly in the time allotted for that test. All written tests require a score of at least 80% to pass. Any applicant that exceeds the time limit or incorrectly answers too many questions on the general knowledge test will fail.

Depending on the class of license or endorsements you are seeking, additional written exams may be required. Any applicant that fails a written test must wait at least seven days to retake that test. All applicants should arrive at the Cranston DMV Headquarters with enough time to complete their testing within the posted knowledge-testing hours.

Once you successfully pass the required written test(s), the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles will issue you a commercial learner’s permit so that you can practice operating a commercial motor vehicle. The commercial learner’s permit is valid for a maximum of one year and is non-renewable. If your CLP expires, you must retake all knowledge exams and repay the associated fees.

You may only operate a CMV under the supervision of a front seat passenger who is at least 21 years old and carries a valid CDL of the same class or greater than the class of vehicle you are operating. You may not operate any vehicle that is transporting materials deemed hazardous.

Over 60% of first time CDL applicants fail the written test! Be sure to buy the Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package, as it contains practice tests containing questions and answers specifically designed to help you pass the actual CDL written tests administered by the DMV. You may also want to buy the Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package as it includes a collection of study guides with key information designed to help you rapidly learn all the sections of the CDL manual you must know in order to pass the CDL written exams.

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Why risk failing your CDL written exams on the first try? Get the Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package and be fully prepared for your CDL written exams. Best of all, there’s a 100% Money Back Guarantee if you fail your CDL written exams!

 

Our Free CDL Tests will help prepare you for the actual CDL knowledge tests administered by the DMV.

Applying for a Rhode Island Commercial Driver’s License

In order to obtain a commercial driver’s license in the state of Rhode Island, you must:

• Possess a valid Rhode Island commercial learner’s permit (held for at least 14 days before taking the skills test).
• Have current DOT medical certification on file with the DMV (submitted electronically by your certified medical examiner).
• Complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) through an FMCSA-registered provider before taking the skills test (required for first-time CDL applicants and certain class upgrades and endorsements).
• Provide proof of active vehicle insurance and valid vehicle registration (and trailer registration, if applicable).
• Self-certify that you intend to drive a CMV in either intrastate commerce or interstate commerce.
• Certify that your privilege to drive any motor vehicle is not currently suspended, revoked, canceled, or disqualified anywhere.
• Provide a test vehicle of the same class as the CDL you are testing for that has an active inspection sticker and arrives empty.
• Schedule a skills test appointment online through the RI DMV or by calling the CDL Skills Test Site at (401) 667-2882.
• Pass the CDL Skills Test.
• Skills test fees are non-refundable; an appointment must be canceled or rescheduled at least 48 hours in advance to avoid paying another skills test fee.
• Have your photo taken for the commercial driver’s license.

The CDL Skills Test

Once you obtain your commercial learner’s permit, you can schedule an appointment to take the CDL Skills Test. All CDL skills tests are administered by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles at 400 Romano Vineyard Way, North Kingstown, RI, by appointment only. Walk-ins are not permitted. You must hold your commercial learner’s permit for at least 14 days and complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before taking the skills test. Appointments can be booked online through the DMV or by calling the CDL Skills Test Site at (401) 667-2882. The Skills Test Site office hours are 8:30 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, and the office is closed on weekends and holidays.

You must present hard copies of both your commercial learner’s permit and your operator’s license at the test site (no paper copies are allowed). You must also verify that your ELDT is complete by checking your record on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

The CDL Skills Test is a three part test that consists of a Vehicle Inspection Test, a Basic Control Skills Test, and a Road Test. You must arrive at the test site in an empty vehicle of the same class and type you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL; loaded vehicles will not be tested and the examination fee will be forfeited. All tank vehicles must arrive empty, and hazardous tanker vehicles must be empty, cleaned, purged, and accompanied by a certificate. If you take the skills test in a commercial motor vehicle that is not equipped with air brakes, then you will have an air brakes restriction attached to your commercial driver’s license.

• Vehicle Inspection Test: Before you can take the driving portions of the test, you will first be tested on your knowledge of the class of vehicle you plan on driving once you obtain your CDL. The Vehicle Inspection also determines if your commercial vehicle is safe enough to drive on public roads. If you fail the Vehicle Inspection, you may not be allowed to take the remaining tests.
• Basic Control Skills Test: Before you can take the Road Test, you will first need to prove that you have the skills to operate a commercial motor vehicle. This test consists of various off-road maneuvers such as backing up your vehicle, moving your vehicle forward, and making turns within a defined area.
• Road Test: Once you pass the first two tests, you will be required to drive your commercial vehicle on public roads in various traffic situations. You will be required to operate the same class of commercial vehicle you plan to drive once you obtain your CDL.

The Basic Control Skills Test may include the following maneuvers:

• 90 degree alley docking
• Straight line backing
• Parallel parking (driver side)
• Parallel parking (conventional)
• Offset backing to the right
• Offset backing to the left

The Road Test will be administered on a route predetermined by the safety specialist. The test route will most likely include the following:

• Starting
• Stopping
• Braking
• Turning
• Observing traffic signs
• Observing traffic signals
• Observing other traffic
• Using vehicle controls
• Maintaining proper lane positions
• Downgrades
• Downgrade stopping
• Upgrades
• Upgrade stopping
• Railroad crossings
• Bridge clearance
• Underpass clearance
• General observance of traffic laws
• General safe driving practices for trucks or buses

On the day of your CDL Skills Test appointment you must:

1. Arrive on time.
2. Bring the hard copy of your commercial learner’s permit and your operator’s license (no paper copies).
3. Provide proof of active insurance and valid vehicle registration (and trailer registration, if applicable).
4. Bring a test vehicle that is the same class of license that you are testing for, that has an active inspection sticker, and that arrives empty.
5. Have completed Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT), verified on the FMCSA Training Provider Registry.

Failure to do any of the above may result in an immediate cancellation of your CDL Skills Test appointment! The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles advises applicants to schedule their skills test appointment a few weeks in advance and to arrive early for their test appointment. If you decide to cancel your skills test appointment, you must cancel or reschedule the appointment no less than 48 hours before your scheduled test date and time.

Be sure to download and study the Rhode Island Commercial Driver License Manual, as it contains pertinent information that will help you pass the CDL Skills Test. For a school bus endorsement, study Section 10 of the Rhode Island Commercial Driver License Manual.

Click here to see a map and clickable list of the CDL skills test location.

Commercial Driver Self-Certification

In the state of Rhode Island, all commercial driver’s license holders must self-certify as to what type of driving they will be doing (intrastate or interstate), and whether they meet or exceed the medical and physical standards put forth by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to legally and safely operate a commercial motor vehicle. All CDL applicants must self-certify once they obtain their commercial driver’s license.

You are required to certify to the RI DMV that you fall into one of the following four operation categories:

• Interstate Non-Excepted: You operate, or expect to operate, both within and outside Rhode Island boundaries for commerce, and you are required to obtain a Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (you must be 21 years of age or older).
• Interstate Excepted: You operate, or expect to operate, both within and outside Rhode Island boundaries for commerce, and you are not required to obtain a DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate (you must be 21 years of age or older).
• Intrastate Non-Excepted: You do not operate, or expect to operate, outside Rhode Island boundaries for commerce, and you are required to obtain a Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate.
• Intrastate Excepted: You do not operate, or expect to operate, outside Rhode Island boundaries for commerce, and you are not required to obtain a Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

All commercial drivers who intend to operate a commercial motor vehicle for the following purposes only, do not require a commercial driver’s license and are considered “exempt” and therefore are waived from self-certification:

• Persons operating Special Purpose Commercial vehicle with a GVWR of 26,000 lbs. or less.
• Fire and emergency vehicles used to preserve life and property or to carry out governmental operations.
• Vehicles operated by non-civilian operators of military equipment.
• Recreational vehicles that are being used for personal recreational use only.
• Any farm vehicle used to transport agricultural products, farm machinery, or farm supplies within 150 air-miles of the owner’s farm and not used in the operation of a common or contract motor carrier.

If you intend to operate a commercial motor vehicle for any other purpose than those listed above, then you are considered “non-exempt” and are required to hold a valid CDL and must self-certify. You may also need to maintain a current Medical Examiner’s Certificate.

If you operate a commercial motor vehicle in either intrastate or interstate commerce solely for the following purposes, then you are under “excepted” status, and therefore do not need to maintain a Medical Examiner’s Certificate:

• Transporting school children and/or school staff members between home and school.
• Operating any vehicle as an employee of either Federal, State, or Local government.
• Operating fire and rescue vehicles for emergency purposes and other related events.
• Transporting sick, injured, or deceased persons.
• Primarily transporting propane heating fuel when responding to an emergency condition requiring an immediate response.
• When custom harvesting on a farm or to haul farm machinery and supplies to and from a farm or when transporting crops between a farm and a market or storage facility.
• When operating a farm vehicle that is not a combo vehicle (power unit and towed unit), and is used to haul agricultural products, farm supplies (cannot be materials deemed hazardous), or farm machinery to and from a farm and within 150 air miles of the farm.
• Transporting bees as an apiarist during beekeeping season.
• When transporting migrant workers.
• As a private motor carrier of passengers for non-business activities.

If you intend to operate a commercial motor vehicle for any other purpose than those listed above, then you operate in either “non-excepted” intrastate commerce, “non-excepted” interstate commerce, or both. “Non-excepted” interstate drivers and “non-excepted” intrastate drivers are required to obtain and maintain a valid Federal DOT Medical Examiner’s Certificate. Your certified medical examiner submits your medical certification electronically to the FMCSA National Registry, which forwards it to the RI DMV; the DMV does not accept medical certificates directly. To declare or change your self-certification status, complete and submit the Self-Certification for a Commercial Driver’s License Form.

If you have any questions regarding self-certification, you can contact the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles at (401) 462-4368, Monday through Friday. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is closed on all statewide holidays.

For more information about medical certification requirements, please continue reading below.

Medical Requirements for a Commercial Driver’s License

All commercial drivers of vehicles in interstate commerce with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating of over 10,000 pounds are required to obtain and maintain a valid Medical Examiner’s Certification, unless specifically exempted. All DOT medical exams must be conducted by a Certified Medical Examiner, who may be one of the following:

• Licensed U.S. doctor of medicine (M.D.)
• Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O)
• Licensed physician assistant (P.A.)
• Advanced practice registered nurse
• Chiropractor

The RI DMV does not accept medical certification directly. It is the responsibility of the Medical Examiner to electronically submit your medical certification to the FMCSA National Registry, which then forwards it to the RI DMV. You will receive a mailed notification once your new medical certification has been received. Your medical certification must remain current and valid; if it lapses, your Commercial Driver’s License privileges will be downgraded until a new certification is submitted, at which point your commercial privileges are automatically restored to active status.

You can search for an FMCSA certified medical examiner by using the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners.

The FMCSA requires you to have at least 20/40 vision in each eye and a field of vision of at least 140 degrees (70 degrees in each eye) in order to be certified to operate a commercial motor vehicle. Under certain conditions, you may be able to be waived from these and other medical requirements.

All CDL applicants are advised to keep copies of their medical and self-certification documents for their own records. Failure to comply with state and federal medical and self-certification regulations will result in a downgrade or cancellation of your commercial driving privileges.

If you have any questions regarding self-certification, you can contact the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles at (401) 462-4368, Monday through Friday. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is closed on all statewide holidays.

Hazmat Endorsement

First-time applicants for a Hazardous Materials (H) endorsement must complete Entry-Level Driver Training (ELDT) before taking the HazMat knowledge test. Any person that is applying for a Hazardous Materials CDL endorsement is also required to undergo a federal background check and federal fingerprint check according to guidelines set by the Transportation Security Administration. All applicants must also provide the required documents to verify their identification and legal U.S. status. For more information, check out the Transportation Security Administration’s F.A.Q. page.

You can apply for the security threat assessment on the TSA Hazardous Material Endorsement Enrollment Website. You must begin applying at least 30 days before the expiration of your CDL. You can start the application process on the HTAP Online Application Website. To apply by phone call (855) 347-8371. Use the TSA Enrollment Center Locator to find the nearest TSA approved fingerprint office.

Military Drivers

The Military Skills Test Waiver Program allows drivers with two years of experience safely operating heavy military vehicles to obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) without taking the skills test. You may qualify if you are currently licensed and are, or were, employed within the past 12 months in a military position requiring the operation of a military motor vehicle equivalent to a commercial motor vehicle. You will still be required to pass the written knowledge tests, and certain restrictions apply. Download, print, and complete the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver to start the process.

Once you have completed the Application for Military Skills Test Waiver, submit it in person along with an Application for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-1), pass the necessary knowledge exams, and submit the necessary documents to be issued a CDL. If you have any questions, you can contact the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles at (401) 462-4368, Monday through Friday. The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is closed on all statewide holidays.

Rhode Island CDL Endorsements

H Placarded Hazmat Required to transport hazardous materials under DOT regulations.

N Tank Vehicles Required to transport liquids in bulk containers of 1,000 gallons or more.

X Tanker/Hazardous Materials Combination Required to transport hazardous materials in tank vehicles

T Double/Triple Trailers Indicates CDL holder is certified to operate multiple trailer haulers.

P Passengers Indicates the CDL holder is certified to operate passenger vehicles.

S School Bus Indicates the CDL holder is authorized to operate a school bus.

Methods of Payment

All Rhode Island DMV Offices accept the following methods of payment:

• Cash
• Money Orders
• Personal Checks
• Bank Checks
• American Express
• Discover
• MasterCard
• Visa

All checks should be payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Third-party and temporary/starter checks are not accepted. All fees include a $3.50 technology surcharge. If you are paying by credit card, there is a minimum service fee of $1.55 per transaction, or 2.40% for transactions of $65.00 and over.

Important Rhode Island Commercial Driver’s License Resources

Complete CDL Practice Test Study Package
Complete CDL Cheat Sheet Study Package
Application for Chauffeur, Passenger and School Bus Endorsements
Application for Commercial Driver’s License (CDL-1)
Rhode Island DMV Commercial Skills Tests
CDL Test Authorization
Rhode Island Application for Military Skills Test Waiver
Self-Certification for a Commercial Driver’s License Form
Rhode Island Commercial Driver License Manual
National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners

Check out our list of truck driving schools in Rhode Island that will provide you with the necessary skills to obtain your commercial driver’s license and start your career in the exciting field of commercial truck driving! You may also want to check out our nationwide list of truck driving schools.

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Map of Rhode Island DMV Office Locations

**All CDL transactions and written tests are done at the Cranston DMV Headquarters.

Some CDL testing locations require you to set up an appointment. CDL testing hours may vary. Please call the testing location for more information.

Map of Rhode Island CDL Skills Test Location

All CDL skills tests are administered by the RI DMV at 400 Romano Vineyard Way, North Kingstown, RI, by appointment only. CDL testing hours may vary. Please call the testing location for more information.

 

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