How to get your license back after a DUI in Rhode Island
Getting a license back after a DUI is an agency process, not a court one: the steps below are the ones the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue) lists, in its order, each quoted from the agency's own page. Requirements differ by offense, blood-alcohol level, refusal, and prior record; the state's wording controls.
Steps the state lists
- 1
Serve the court-imposed license suspension and comply with the court's other sanctions
The RI DMV states that alcohol- or drug-related suspensions arise under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2 or § 31-27-2.1 and that, in addition to the suspension period, the motorist must comply with any other sanctions ordered by the sentencing court (first offense under § 31-27-2(d)(1): three to eighteen months' suspension per the statute).
What the source says
“In addition to the motorist's period of license suspension, the motorist will also be required to comply with any other sanctions ordered by the sentencing court.”
- 2
Report any court-ordered ignition interlock or hardship license to the DMV Adjudication Office with proof of installation and the court order
The Adjudication Office instructions state that once the court orders an interlock (or hardship license) the person must appear with the installation certificate and the Traffic Tribunal court order; the DMV hardship page states failure to report timely may require a return to the sentencing court.
What the source says
“Once the Court has ordered an Ignition Interlock, you must appear at the Division of Motor Vehicles Adjudication Office with the following documents: Proof of installation of the Ignition Interlock Device (Installation Certificate).”
- 3
Pay the $100.00 ignition interlock fee and the license-update fee to add the restriction
The instructions list a $100.00 Ignition Interlock fee paid at the Adjudication Office and $27.50 to update the license to add the interlock (or hardship) restriction; the DMV's current fee table lists a $28.50 duplicate-license fee.
What the source says
“Payment of $100.00 Ignition Interlock fee to be paid at the Adjudication Office of the DMV”
- 4
Complete court-ordered alcohol education, alcohol treatment and/or community service (monitored by the DMV Driver Retraining Office)
The DMV states these sanctions are monitored by its Driver Retraining Office; the instructions list payment of the DWI School fee if sanctioned at the Traffic Tribunal. The Alcohol Education page states a license may be reinstated once the class fee is paid, but failure to complete the program results in suspension until completed.
What the source says
“All alcohol education, alcohol treatment, and public community service sanctions are monitored by the Driver Retraining Office of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.”
- 5
Pay the alcohol-related reinstatement fees
The Adjudication Office instructions list reinstatement fees of $352.50 (license) and $252.50 (registration); the DMV's current Adjudication Fees table lists $353.50 and $253.50 including a $3.50 technology surcharge (see state record). The DMV states it has no payment plans.
What the source says
“Payment of Reinstatement Fees (License $352.50/Registration $252.50)”
- 6
After the hardship or interlock period ends, return to the DMV to remove the restriction and obtain a new license
The DMV states that when the hardship restriction expires the motorist must return to the DMV to remove it, pay the reinstatement fee, and obtain a new license; 280-RICR-30-15-9 § 9.10 requires the DMV to review the interlock compliance record before removing the interlock restriction.
What the source says
“When the hardship restriction has expired, you must return to the DMV to remove the hardship restriction from your license and pay your reinstatement fee to restore your driving privileges.”
- 7
Three or more alcohol/drug convictions: satisfy Medical Advisory Board requirements
The DMV states that operators with three or more alcohol- or drug-related driving convictions must satisfy the Medical Advisory Board's requirements (280-RICR-30-05-3) before reinstatement.
What the source says
“Operators with three (3) or more alcohol or drug related driving convictions must satisfy the requirements of the Medical Advisory Board ( 280-RICR-30-05-3 Rules & Regulations) prior to reinstatement of driving privileges.”
Official reinstatement page: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue)
Conditions that travel with reinstatement
| Reinstatement fee | $353.50 |
|---|---|
| SR-22 / financial-responsibility filing | No — Rhode Island SR-22 requirements |
| Ignition interlock | Rhode Island interlock rule |
| Required program | Alcohol Education Program (DWI course) at the Community College of Rhode Island, registered through the DMV Driver Retraining Office; alcohol treatment when referred |
| Driving during the suspension | Hardship license (conditional hardship license under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8) |
| Re-examination | Knowledge test: required in some cases · road test: required in some cases |
Required program: Alcohol Education Program (DWI course) at the Community College of Rhode Island, registered through the DMV Driver Retraining Office; alcohol treatment when referred
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2(d)(1) requires the sentencing judge to order attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated and/or alcohol or drug treatment. The DMV states the Alcohol Education Program is held at CCRI, registration and payment are at the Driver Retraining Office, an alcohol assessment is taken at the first class, and treatment providers must be approved by the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals.
“The Alcohol Education Program is held at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). Upon registration, you will have your choice of which CCRI campus is most convenient for you.”
Driving during the suspension: Hardship license (conditional hardship license under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8)
The DMV states a hardship license is a court-ordered restriction allowing driving for a pre-determined continuous twelve-hour period per day while suspended for an alcohol- or drug-related conviction; only a Rhode Island court can issue it, and it is granted in conjunction with an ignition interlock and/or blood and urine testing (§ 31-27-2.8(c)). The DMV only adds the restriction to the license.
“A hardship license is a court ordered restriction that allows a motorist to drive a motor vehicle for a pre-determined continuous twelve (12) hour period per day while their driving privileges are suspended due to an alcohol or drug related driving conviction.”
Full page: waiting period, conditions and hearing deadline for the Hardship License
When the interlock can be removed
Term-based with a compliance review: the interlock period is set by the court or Traffic Tribunal within the statutory ranges (§ 31-27-2.8(b): three months to one year for a first offense). Under 280-RICR-30-15-9 § 9.10, on completion of that period the operator may apply to the DMV for removal of the restriction; the DMV reviews the compliance record reported by the service provider, and the device may not be removed until the DMV contacts the provider to authorize removal (§ 9.10(B); § 9.4.2(D) bars providers from removing a device without written DMV approval). No violation-free window, early-removal provision, or removal fee cap is stated; the DMV states each provider sets its own fees.
Compliance period: none stated (record must show the operator fulfilled the interlock requirements set by the sentencing judge or magistrate)
“Upon completion of the interlock period set by the court or traffic tribunal, the operator may apply to the DMV for removal of the restriction. Pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-49-3(b), the DMV will review the operator’s record of compliance with the IID”
Will you have to retake the test? Re-examination in Rhode Island
Some states hand the license back once the conditions are met; others treat a revoked or long-withdrawn license as expired and issue a new one only after the knowledge test, the road test or a vision screening is passed again. The rules below are the licensing agency's own, one per test.
| Knowledge (written) test | Required in some cases Reinstatement is handled case by case by the Adjudication Unit, and the driver then obtains the license at a DMV branch with the reinstatement notice, an identity document and proof of residency; no test is listed. The learner's permit (knowledge) test comes back when the license has been expired five years or more, and is given at the Cranston headquarters by reservation. What the source says“If your driver's license is expired five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test.” |
|---|---|
| Road (driving) test | Required in some cases The Road Test Office lists who must take a driving test: anyone never licensed in any state or holding a foreign license, anyone whose Rhode Island or out-of-state license has been expired for more than 5 years, and drivers with a physical condition where a restriction is imposed or removed. A driver 18 or older holds a learner's permit for at least 30 days before the first scheduled road test. What the source says“You will be required to take a driving test if you have: Never been licensed in any state or you hold a foreign country license. Your License has been expired for more than 5 years.” |
| Vision screening | Required in some cases A vision test is given with the computerized knowledge exam at the Cranston headquarters, so it returns whenever the permit test does. What the source says“A vision test will be given at this time. These tests are available by reservation only.” |
What triggers a re-test
Expiry of five years or more, whatever the reason the license lapsed: the DMV then requires the learner's permit test and a road test. The statute adds that after a revocation or suspension the Division grants the application only when satisfied, after an investigation of the driving ability of the person, that it will be safe to license the driver.
“If your driver's license is expired five years or more, you are required to take the learner's permit test and then schedule a road test.”- Where to take it
- dmv.ri.gov — knowledge exams by reservation at the DMV Cranston headquarters, 600 New London Avenue; road tests scheduled online through the Road Test Office
- Official driver manual
- Rhode Island Driver's Manual
- The rule
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-10(a)
“the division of motor vehicles shall not grant the application unless and until it is satisfied after investigation of the driving ability of the person that it will be safe to license him or her to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways”
Questions about re-testing in Rhode Island
- Does a Rhode Island DUI suspension mean retaking the permit test and road test?
- Not by itself. The DMV's reinstatement page describes a case-by-case process at the Adjudication Unit followed by a visit to a DMV branch with the reinstatement notice; no test is listed. The learner's permit test and a road test are required when the license has been expired five years or more.
- Who must take a road test in Rhode Island?
- The Road Test Office lists drivers never licensed in any state or holding a foreign license, drivers whose Rhode Island or out-of-state license has been expired for more than 5 years, and drivers with a physical condition where the DMV imposes or removes a restriction. Drivers 18 and older hold a learner's permit for at least 30 days before the first scheduled road test.
- What does the road test cost?
- $28.50 on the DMV fee schedule, which includes the $3.50 technology surcharge; R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-22 sets the road test fee at $25, including repeat tests after a failure.
Reinstatement knowledge check: Rhode Island
Ten questions on the rules this site cites for the state — the figures the licensing agency and the statute state, with a link to where each one is stated. The order changes every time.
This is not the agency's knowledge test and does not predict it; it checks the rules cited on this site.
Questions about reinstatement in Rhode Island
- Who orders an ignition interlock or hardship license in Rhode Island?
- The RI DMV states that only a Rhode Island court can issue a hardship license or ignition interlock restriction upon conviction of an alcohol-related offense under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8; the DMV only adds the restrictions to the license. The DMV states the motorist must report to its Adjudication Office as soon as the court sanctions are finalized.
- What fees does the RI DMV list for an interlock and reinstatement?
- The DMV Adjudication Office's Hardship License and Ignition Interlock Information sheet lists a $100.00 ignition interlock fee, $27.50 to update the license with the restriction, the DWI School fee if sanctioned, and reinstatement fees of $352.50 (license) and $252.50 (registration). The DMV's Adjudication Fees table lists $353.50 and $253.50 including a technology surcharge.
- How is the interlock restriction removed in Rhode Island?
- Under 280-RICR-30-15-9 § 9.10, upon completion of the interlock period set by the court or Traffic Tribunal the operator may apply to the DMV for removal of the restriction; the DMV reviews the compliance reports submitted by the service provider, and the device may not be removed from the vehicle until the DMV authorizes the provider to remove it.
Sources
- RI DMV - Alcohol or Drug-related License Suspensions
- RI DMV - Hardship License/Ignition Interlock (FAQ and providers)
- RI DMV Adjudication Office - Hardship License and Ignition Interlock Information (PDF)
- RI DMV - Alcohol Education
- RI DMV - Alcohol Treatment
- RI DMV - Reinstatement (Adjudication Unit)
- RI DMV - Adjudication Fees
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2 (DUI penalties; course and treatment)
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8 (Ignition interlock / hardship license)
- 280-RICR-30-15-9 (Certification and Use of Ignition Interlock Systems), incl. § 9.10 Removal