Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-3 (2026)

Persons ineligible for licenses

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) The division of motor vehicles shall not issue any license under this chapter:

(1) To any person, as an operator, who is under the age of sixteen (16) years;

(2) To any person, as a chauffeur, who is under the age of eighteen (18) years;

(3) To any person, as an operator or chauffeur, whose license has been suspended, during that suspension, nor to any person whose license has been revoked, except as provided in § 31-11-10;

(4) To any person, as an operator or chauffeur, who is a habitual drunkard or habitual user of drugs to such an extent that he or she is incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle;

(5) To any person, as an operator or chauffeur, who is required by this chapter to take an examination unless that person shall have successfully passed that examination;

(6) To any person who is required under the laws of this state to deposit proof of financial responsibility and who has not deposited that proof;

(7) To any person when the administrator of the division of motor vehicles has good cause based on clear and convincing evidence to believe that that person does not meet a standard of physical or mental fitness for motor vehicle licensure established pursuant to § 31-10-44(b) and that the person’s physical or mental condition prevents him or her from being able to operate a motor vehicle with safety upon the highway;

(8) To any person when the administrator of the division of motor vehicles has good cause to believe that the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways by that person would pose an imminent safety risk to the general public as determined by objectively ascertainable standards;

(9) To any person who is subject to an order issued pursuant to § 14-1-67.

(b) The division of motor vehicles shall notify in writing any person whose application for a license has been denied pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The notice shall contain the factual and legal basis for the denial, the procedure for requesting a hearing, and the rights afforded the individual pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-7(d) — (f). When physical or mental fitness is the basis for the denial, the notice shall reference the specific functional standard promulgated pursuant to § 31-10-44(b), which was relied upon by the division of motor vehicles. Upon his or her request the division of motor vehicles shall afford the license applicant an opportunity for a hearing as early as practical and no later than twenty (20) days after receipt of the request.

(c) The hearing procedures afforded the applicant shall conform to the provisions of § 31-11-7(d) — (f).

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 6 cases, 1977–1997 · leading case: Ryan v. State, Dep't of Transp., 420 A.2d 841 (R.I. 1980).

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Ryan v. State, Dep't of Transp., 420 A.2d 841 (R.I. 1980). · cites it 2× “” Alternatively, the Ryans claim that the reissuance of a license to Eaton in light of his driving record violated the standards contained in three subsections of § 31-10-3. Those subsections of § 31-10-3 specify that the registry shall not issue any license “(3) To any person,…”

Costa v. Registrar of Motor Vehs., 543 A.2d 1307 (R.I. 1988). “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-10-3, as amended by P.L. 1984, ch. 196, § 2, states that an individual must be eighteen years old to obtain a chauffeur’s license, whereas a sixteen-year-old can obtain an operator’s license.”

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]…”

Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (R.I. 1977). “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…”

Aurelio v. Rhode Island Dep't of Admin., 985 F. Supp. 48 (D.R.I. 1997). “However, in an undated opinion written later, the AAC Appeals Panel reversed itself by stating The appellant did receive notice that the DMVs Medical Board would review appellant’s record to ascertain whether appellant was eligible for his license under § 31-10-3 (letter of…”

Allard v. Dep't of Transp., 609 A.2d 930 (R.I. 1992). “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-10-3(6), as amended by P.L.1984, ch.”

— R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-3(1) — 1 case

Berberian v. Petit, 374 A.2d 791 (R.I. 1977). “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]…”

— R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-3(6) — 1 case

Allard v. Dep't of Transp., 609 A.2d 930 (R.I. 1992). “1956 (1982 Reenactment) § 31-10-3(6), as amended by P.L.1984, ch.”

— R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-3(l) — 1 case

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