roadwise.Open study app

Rhode Island driving lesson · Getting Your License

Full Operator's License & Suspensions

A 3-minute lesson from the Rhode Island course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

Study this lesson in the app Back to the course
Read time
3 minutes
Course unit
Getting Your License
Checkpoint questions
6
Source pages
14, 15, 16

The Full Operator's License removes the time, supervision and passenger limits. To earn it you need age, time on your provisional license, and a clean recent record. Once you have it, a suspension can still take it away.

To get a Full Operator's License you must:

  • Be at least 17 years, 6 months old
  • Have held a Limited Provisional License for at least 12 months
  • Have no moving violation or safety belt conviction in the previous 6 months
  • Apply with a parent, guardian, adult spouse or licensed foster parent
Handbook p. 14 ↗
17 yrs 6 mo

Minimum age for a Full Operator's License

Handbook p. 14 ↗
12 months

Minimum time holding the provisional license first

Handbook p. 14 ↗

Know the rule

With a full license you may drive without restrictions on time of driving, supervision or passengers—but you must still obey every other rule, including safety belt and child restraint laws.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Rhode Island's graduated licensing at a glance

Rhode Island's graduated licensing at a glance
LevelTo get itMain limits
Limited Learner PermitAge 16–18, 33-hour class, knowledge examSupervising driver beside you at all times
Learner's Provisional6 months on permit, road test, 50 hoursNo solo driving 1–5 a.m.; 1 passenger under 21
Full Operator's17½ or older, 12 months provisionalNo time, supervision or passenger limits
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

License suspensions are handled by appointment only at the DMV's Adjudication Office.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

Most common reasons for a suspension:

  • Failure to pay a traffic fine
  • Committing an infraction that carries mandatory suspension time
  • A suspension request from another state
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Know the rule

You do not have to turn in your license when it is suspended. Keep it with you for identity purposes.

Handbook p. 15 ↗

A suspension affects you in these ways:

  • You cannot legally drive in Rhode Island or any other state, for any reason, during the suspension
  • Your violations become public record, open to insurance companies and others
  • Your insurance rates may increase
Handbook p. 15 ↗

Put it into practice

You're 17 years 8 months old and have had your provisional license for 13 months, but you got a moving violation 4 months ago. You must wait until you have gone 6 months without a conviction before you qualify for the full license.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the minimum age to receive a Full Operator's License in Rhode Island?
  1. 18 years
  2. 17 years, 6 months
  3. 17 years
  4. 16 years, 6 months

Answer: 17 years, 6 months

You must be at least 17 years, 6 months old to receive a Full Operator's License.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
How long must you have held a Learner's Provisional License before getting a Full Operator's License?
  1. At least 6 months
  2. At least 18 months
  3. At least 12 months
  4. At least 24 months

Answer: At least 12 months

You must have held a Learner's Provisional License for at least 12 months before qualifying for a full license.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
What restrictions apply to a driver who holds a Full Operator's License?
  1. The same night driving curfew as a provisional license
  2. A one-passenger limit for the first year
  3. A supervising driver requirement after 10 p.m.
  4. None concerning time of driving, supervision, or passengers

Answer: None concerning time of driving, supervision, or passengers

A Full Operator's License removes all GDL restrictions on time of driving, supervision, and passenger limits.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
To qualify for a Full Operator's License, you must be free of moving violation convictions for how long beforehand?
  1. The previous 6 months
  2. The previous 3 months
  3. The previous 12 months
  4. The previous 2 years

Answer: The previous 6 months

You cannot have been convicted of a moving violation or safety belt infraction during the previous 6 months.

Handbook p. 14 ↗
Which adult is generally required to accompany an under-18 applicant to apply for a Full Operator's License?
  1. Any licensed adult, including a friend's parent
  2. A driving instructor only
  3. No accompanying adult is required
  4. A parent, guardian, adult spouse, or licensed foster parent

Answer: A parent, guardian, adult spouse, or licensed foster parent

Applicants under 18 must apply in the company of a parent, guardian, adult spouse, or licensed foster parent.

Handbook p. 16 ↗
True or False: A Full Operator's License holder must still obey all standard rules of the road, including safety belt laws.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Full license holders drive without GDL restrictions but must still follow all other rules of the road.

Handbook p. 15 ↗
Take the lesson checkpoint in the app

More in Getting Your License

All Rhode Island lessons