§ 31-10-21. Written and eye examination.
(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.
History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 15, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 31-10-18; G.L. 1956, § 31-10-21; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 326, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 454, § 1; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 9; P.L. 2008, ch. 145, § 9.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-10 - Operators’ and Chauffeurs’ Licenses
Section 31-10-1. - License required to drive.
Section 31-10-2. - Persons exempt from licensing requirements.
Section 31-10-3. - Persons ineligible for licenses.
Section 31-10-4. - Classification of chauffeurs — Examination of applicants.
Section 31-10-5. - Special restrictions for drivers for compensation.
Section 31-10-5.1. - School bus driver annual training.
Section 31-10-6. - Graduated licensing for person under the age of eighteen (18).
Section 31-10-6.1. - Supervising driver.
Section 31-10-6.2. - Out-of-state exceptions.
Section 31-10-6.3. - Duration and fee.
Section 31-10-6.4. - Violations.
Section 31-10-6.5. - Insurance status.
Section 31-10-7. - Temporary driver’s permit — Persons over the age of eighteen (18).
Section 31-10-8. - Special armed forces operator’s license.
Section 31-10-9. - Operator’s license issued after expiration of armed forces license.
Section 31-10-10. - Rules as to armed forces license.
Section 31-10-11. - Application forms — Destruction of refused applications.
Section 31-10-12. - Contents of application.
Section 31-10-13. - Record from other jurisdiction.
Section 31-10-14. - Applications of minors.
Section 31-10-15. - Liability of person signing minor’s application.
Section 31-10-16. - Liability when minor proves financial responsibility.
Section 31-10-17. - Release from liability.
Section 31-10-18. - Cancellation of license upon death of person signing minor’s application.
Section 31-10-20. - Driver education course requirement before licensing.
Section 31-10-21. - Written and eye examination.
Section 31-10-22. - Road test.
Section 31-10-23. - Examiners not liable for acts of persons being examined.
Section 31-10-24. - Applicants excused from road test.
Section 31-10-26. - Issuance of license.
Section 31-10-26.1. - Anatomical gifts by drivers.
Section 31-10-27. - License to be carried and exhibited on demand.
Section 31-10-28. - Restricted licenses.
Section 31-10-29. - Duplicate certificates.
Section 31-10-30. - Expiration and renewal of licenses.
Section 31-10-32. - Notice of change of address or name.
Section 31-10-33. - Records to be kept by the division of motor vehicles.
Section 31-10-34 - — 31-10-34.4. Repealed.
Section 31-10-34.5. - Transfer of functions to administrator of division of motor vehicles.
Section 31-10-35. - Commercial drivers’ school license required.
Section 31-10-36. - Application for commercial drivers’ school license.
Section 31-10-37. - Fee — Expiration of license — Duplicates.
Section 31-10-38. - Denial, suspension, or revocation of commercial drivers’ school licenses.
Section 31-10-39. - Instructor’s license required.
Section 31-10-40. - Fee — Expiration of instructor’s license.
Section 31-10-41. - Denial, suspension, or revocation of instructor’s license.
Section 31-10-43. - Penalties for violations.
Section 31-10-44. - Medical advisory board.
Section 31-10-45. - Safety belts.
Section 31-10-46. - Driver education course — Credit given.
Section 31-10-47. - Notification of selective service registration requirement.
Section 31-10-48. - Veteran designation on operator license.