Learner permit conditions — Rhode Island Permit Test

While a limited learner permit holder drives, no one other than the supervising driver may sit in the front seat.

A friend up front crowds out the adult who needs a clear reach to the wheel.

No person other than the supervising driver is located in the front seat of automobile.

Under both the limited learner permit and the learner provisional license, every person in the vehicle must be fastened by a seat belt or child restraint.

One unbelted friend in the back seat can be thrown into the driver in a crash.

Every person occupying the vehicle is properly fastened by a seat belt or child restraint system.

A permit holder must wear a safety belt unless they give the DMV a physician's letter saying they cannot wear one for medical reasons.

Without one clear exception, any learner could claim a reason to skip the belt.

You must wear a safety belt as required by law unless you provide the DMV with a physician’s letter indicating you cannot wear a safety belt for medical reasons.

A permit holder must have the permit with them when driving, and a provisional license holder must have that license with them.

A learner stopped without the permit cannot show the officer they are allowed to drive at all.

The permit holder must be in possession of the permit.

Under a limited learner permit, who besides the driver may sit in the front seat?

Only the supervising driver. A friend up front crowds out the adult who needs a clear reach to the wheel. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.15: “No person other than the supervising driver is located in the front seat of automobile.”