Rhode Island CDL License Requirements

In order to drive a commercial vehicle in Rhode Island, you must first obtain a Rhode Island commercial driver’s license (CDL). The State of Rhode Island uses the following criteria to determine whether or not a CDL is required to drive a commercial vehicle:

• Class A: Combination vehicles weighing over 26,001 lbs. with trailers weighing over 10,000 lbs.
• Class B: Vehicles weighing over 26,001 lbs. with trailers less than 10,000 lbs.
• Class C: Vehicles under 26,001 lbs. carrying sixteen or more occupants (including the driver) or trucks transporting hazardous materials

To qualify for a CDL in Rhode Island, you must be at least 18 years old, have a valid Rhode Island driver’s license, pass a vision exam and obtain a medical certificate. The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) regulates interstate transportation of cargo. If you wish to transport materials across state lines, you must be at least 21 years old. Applicants then need to take a general knowledge exam and a practical skills test, which includes a pre-trip vehicle inspection and an on-road driving test. The driving test must be taken in a vehicle that matches the class of CDL license you are trying to obtain.

Depending on the type of truck you wish to drive or the cargo you intend to transport, additional endorsement may be required. For example, endorsements are needed to drive a truck with air brakes, a tanker truck, a school bus or a truck with double/triple trailers. Endorsements are also needed to transport passengers or to haul hazardous materials. A background check by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) is required to transport hazardous materials (also referred to as a Hazmat endorsement). Truck driving schools in Rhode Island will provide the training and education necessary to pass the CDL exams.

Resources for Rhode Island CDL Requirements

Visit the State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles website for more information.