Rhode Island CDL practice tests
Rhode Island funnels every CDL skills test in the state through a single partner, the Community College of Rhode Island, instead of licensing a spread of private third-party testers the way most larger states do.
The written exams themselves are federal. Rhode Island decides the permit rules, the fees and who runs the skills test, but the knowledge you are tested on comes from 49 CFR Part 383 and is the same in every state, which is why the 145 questions here work wherever you apply.
What changes in this state
Commercial learner permit
Rhode Island requires a commercial learner's permit to be held for at least 14 days before an applicant can sit the CDL skills test, and the permit must still be current on the day of testing.
RI DMV, Commercial Learner's Permit and Exams, checked 2026-08-28
Fees
A Rhode Island CDL applicant pays a $12.50 application fee, $10 for each written exam, and $72.50 for the commercial learner's permit.
RI DMV, Commercial License Fees, checked 2026-08-28
Where you test
The three-part CDL skills test, covering vehicle inspection, basic control, and the road test, is administered statewide through the Community College of Rhode Island rather than at DMV branches.
RI DMV, Commercial Skills Tests, checked 2026-08-28
Every knowledge area
General Knowledge
Required of every applicant: inspection, control, space and speed management, hazard perception, emergencies and hours of service.
Air Brakes
Fail this and an L restriction bars you from any vehicle with air brakes, which is most of them.
Combination Vehicles
Coupling, the fifth wheel, off tracking and trailer swing. Needed for Class A.
Hazardous Materials
Placards, shipping papers, segregation and the security threat assessment.
Tank Vehicles
Liquid surge, baffles, outage and why a tanker rolls over so readily.
Doubles and Triples
Rearward amplification, converter dollies and coupling a second or third trailer.
Passenger Transport
Bus inspection, standee lines, passenger supervision and railroad crossings.
School Bus
Danger zones, loading and unloading, student crossing and evacuation.