Quick Answer
Yes — Rhode Island issues a Driver Privilege Card under state law chapter 31-10.4 to residents who cannot prove legal presence. To get one:
- File a Rhode Island resident income tax return for the prior tax year, or be claimed as a dependent on one.
- Bring 2 identity documents and 2 proofs of Rhode Island residency, all originals.
- Pass any required DMV tests and pay the $25 fee.
The card is not valid for federal identification or for voting.
Can You Get a Driver's License in Rhode Island Without an SSN?
Yes. Rhode Island issues a Driver Privilege Card to residents who cannot establish legal presence in the United States, under Rhode Island General Laws chapter 31-10.4. Governor Dan McKee signed the law in 2022, and the Division of Motor Vehicles began issuing cards on July 1, 2023. You do not need a Social Security number.
The same law created an Identification Privilege Card for residents who need a state ID but don't drive. The rules are set out in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.4-1, and the DMV answers common questions on its Driver Privilege Card FAQ.
Do You Need a Rhode Island Tax Return to Qualify?
Yes. You must have filed a Rhode Island resident personal income tax return for the tax year before you apply, or been claimed as a dependent on someone else's resident return. The Rhode Island Division of Taxation verifies this for the DMV, and state law requires the tax office to keep your information confidential.
- Example from the program's first year: people applying between July 1 and December 31, 2023 needed a 2022 Rhode Island resident return. Check the Division of Taxation's guidance for the year that applies when you apply.
- No SSN? You can file with an ITIN — see how to apply for an ITIN and how to file taxes with an ITIN.
What Documents Does Rhode Island Require?
Rhode Island requires 2 identity documents and 2 proofs of residency, and every document must be an original — photocopies are rejected. Identity can be 2 primary documents or 1 primary plus 1 secondary document from the DMV's list. Residency documents such as a utility bill or lease must show a street address, not a P.O. box.
- 1Identity — 2 primary documents, or 1 primary and 1 secondary. The DMV's list includes a foreign passport, a valid consular ID, a foreign birth certificate, a foreign driver's license, and a foreign national ID card. Non-English documents need a certified English translation.
- 2Residency — 2 documents, such as a utility bill or lease, showing your Rhode Island street address.
- 3Tax verification — completed by the Division of Taxation based on your prior-year resident return.
- 4Insurance — you must not be in violation of Rhode Island's auto insurance requirements.
The DMV publishes the full list on its license document checklist.
How Much Does a Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card Cost?
A first Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card costs $25, down from $50 before a 2023 law cut the fee. That first card expires on your second birthday after it is issued. Renewals cost $30 and last until your fifth birthday after renewal, or 2 years for drivers age 75 and older.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| First Driver Privilege Card | $25 |
| First card expires | 2nd birthday after issue |
| Renewal | $30 |
| Renewal term | 5 years (2 years if 75+) |
Terms and fees are set in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.4-2.
Can You Skip the Tests With an Out-of-State License?
Yes. Rhode Island waives the written and road tests if you hold a valid license from another U.S. state or territory, or one that expired less than 5 years ago, issued by a jurisdiction whose records the DMV can check through the National Driver Register. A certified driving record issued within the past 30 days can substitute for the license.
- Applicants under 18 must complete Rhode Island's driver education, testing, and graduated licensing steps.
- Applicants 18 and older without qualifying driving experience take the written and road tests.
How Do I Apply Step by Step?
Applying for a Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card takes 4 steps: file your prior-year Rhode Island resident tax return, collect 2 identity and 2 residency documents as originals, visit the DMV, and pass any required tests before paying the $25 fee. Allow time for your return to be processed so the Division of Taxation can verify it.
- Step 1: File a Rhode Island resident income tax return for the prior tax year, or confirm you were claimed as a dependent.
- Step 2: Gather original identity and residency documents, with certified translations if needed.
- Step 3: Check the Rhode Island DMV website for current reservation rules, then visit.
- Step 4: Take the written and road tests unless you qualify for the out-of-state waiver, and pay $25.
What Can You Do With a Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card?
A Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card lets you drive legally and looks identical to a non-REAL ID Rhode Island license. State law says it cannot be used for federal identification, for voting, or as evidence of citizenship or immigration status. Discriminating against someone only because they hold or show the card violates Rhode Island civil rights law.
- Drive legally in Rhode Island and buy auto insurance — see car insurance without an SSN
- Holding the card cannot be the basis for an investigation, arrest, or detention that a regular license holder would not face
You cannot use it to board a domestic flight, enter a secure federal facility, or vote. For flights, see our guide to flying with an ITIN.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a Social Security number for a Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card?
No. The card is for residents who cannot establish legal presence, and they do not need an SSN. You do need a prior-year Rhode Island resident tax return, which you can file with an ITIN.
When does my first Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card expire?
Your first card expires on your second birthday after it is issued. Renewals then last until your fifth birthday after renewal, or 2 years if you are 75 or older.
Can I qualify if someone else claimed me as a dependent?
Yes. Rhode Island accepts applicants who were claimed as a dependent on a resident Rhode Island income tax return filed by another person for the prior tax year.
Does the Rhode Island DMV accept photocopies?
No. All documents must be originals. Identity documents in a language other than English must come with a certified English translation.
Can I vote or fly with a Rhode Island Driver Privilege Card?
No. State law says the card is not valid for federal identification or for voting purposes. For domestic flights, use your foreign passport or another TSA-accepted ID.
Which Nearby States Also Issue Licenses Without an SSN?
Rhode Island is one of 19 states, plus Washington, D.C., that license drivers without proof of lawful status. Neighboring Connecticut and Massachusetts also do. Rhode Island stands out for requiring a prior-year state income tax return — a tax-filing rule it shares with Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware.
Compare every state's law, documents, and limits in the full driver's license guide →