Skills test vehicle — Rhode Island Permit Test

For the Rhode Island driving skills test, you must provide the car, and it must be registered in Rhode Island.

A learner who shows up expecting the DMV to lend a car has no test that day.

You must provide the automobile to be used in the test.

If the owner of the test car is not present, you must give the examiner a notarized letter from the owner allowing its use.

Without the owner's written OK, nobody can tell whether the learner has any right to that car.

If the owner is not present, a notarized letter from the owner giving permission to use the vehicle for this purpose must be presented to the DMV examiner.

The car used for the driving skills test must be actively inspected and insured.

An uninsured car in a test crash leaves the learner, the examiner and the other driver with no one to pay.

In addition, the vehicle must be actively inspected and insured.

Rental vehicles are not allowed for the Rhode Island driving test.

A learner who rents a car for the day finds out at the test site that it will not be accepted.

No rental vehicles allowed for the driving test.

Before the driving exam, the examiner inspects the car's safety items, including brake lights, turn signals, headlights, hazard lights, tires, horn and windows that roll down.

A car with a dead brake light puts the examiner and the learner at risk before the test even starts.

A Motor Vehicle Operator Examiner will conduct a vehicle safety inspection prior to the driving exam.

If you lack the required documents or your car is found unsafe for the test, you must reschedule; you may not leave to get what is missing and return.

A learner who counts on running home for a paper loses the test slot entirely.

If you do not bring all required documentation, or if your vehicle is deemed unsafe for the driving skills test, you will be required to reschedule – you may not leave the driving skills test area to secure missing documentation and return.

Who provides the car for the Rhode Island driving skills test?

The applicant provides it. A learner who shows up expecting the DMV to lend a car has no test that day. Rhode Island Driver’s Manual, p.12: “You must provide the automobile to be used in the test.”