Rhode Island Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) License Requirements
Official regulator records behind the requirements, fees, and renewal cycle for this license.
Operates large commercial vehicles. Federal CDL recognized nationwide.
What the Rhode Island data shows for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL)s
Rhode Island's path to commercial truck driver (cdl) licensure runs through 279 hours of approved instruction and a passing score on CDL Knowledge Tests and Skills Test, plus a criminal history screening before applicants younger than 21 can be licensed. Rhode Island folds the credential into its broader occupational licensing statute, which classifies the training track as "CDL Training Program".
Budget $154 to get started, plus $79 at each renewal on a 4-year cycle. Continuing education is not a listed requirement for this profession in Rhode Island, so the annualized maintenance burden is lower than in states that mandate ongoing hours.
Reciprocity for this profession works like this: Federal CDL recognized in all 50 states.
Licensing Ease Score
A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.
Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island
Frequently Asked Questions
What license do I need for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Rhode Island? ▼
How do I get certified as a Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Rhode Island? ▼
Can I transfer my Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
Does Rhode Island require a background check for Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) licensing? ▼
Related Guides
What to do with this commercial truck driver (cdl) license
Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in Rhode Island, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a commercial truck driver (cdl)-wide, 50-state comparison.
- See how Rhode Island's commercial truck driver (cdl) requirements compare to every other state before relocating. Commercial Truck Driver (CDL) in every state
- Confirm whether your out-of-state commercial truck driver (cdl) license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
- See how Rhode Island's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Rhode Island overview
Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Rhode Island licensing board before making career decisions.
Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.