Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-21 (2026)

Written and eye examination

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) Every applicant for a license to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways shall be required by the division of motor vehicles to show, by examination or otherwise, the ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic, the proper knowledge of the operation and mechanism of motor vehicles, the rules of the road, the motor vehicle law, and such other qualifications as will demonstrate that the applicant is a proper and safe person to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways. The examination shall include a test of the applicant’s eyesight. Notwithstanding the foregoing,

(b) Any person who has successfully completed a driver education course as set forth in § 31-10-19 and who has passed a standardized written driver’s license examination approved by the director of the department of revenue shall not be required to take the written examination. The director of the department of revenue shall develop a standardized written driver’s license examination which shall be administered by certified driver education instructors at the completion of each driver’s education course.

(c) An applicant, within six (6) months of having been certified by the department of elementary and secondary education as having passed a written examination administered by that department, shall, upon completion of an eyesight test by the division of motor vehicles, be considered in compliance with this section.

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1977–1992 · leading case: Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (R.I. 1977).

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Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (R.I. 1977). · cites it 2× “1956 (1968 Reenactment) §§31-10-3(l) 1 and 31-10-6 2 and without consideration of his capabilities, will refuse either to issue him a learner’s permit, or to allow him to take the written examination and the road test prescribed by §§31-10-21 3 and 31-10-22, 4 *452 respectively…”

Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (R.I. 1977). · cites it 2× “1956 (1968 Reenactment) §§ 31-10-3(1) [1] and 31-10-6 [2] and without consideration of his capabilities, will refuse either to issue him a learner's permit, or to allow him to take the written examination and the road test prescribed *793 by §§ 31-10-21 [3] and 31-10-22, [4]…”

Allard v. Dep't of Transp., 609 A.2d 930 (R.I. 1992). · cites it 2× “) Accordingly § 31-10-21, as amended by P.L.1987, ch. 454, § 1 provides in part: “Every applicant for a license to operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways shall be required by the registry to show, by examination or otherwise, the ability to read and understand highway…”

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