# R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-2: Persons exempt from licensing requirements

> Rhode Island · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-2

## Section

- **Citation:** R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-2
- **Heading:** Persons exempt from licensing requirements
- **Jurisdiction:** Rhode Island
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-2

## Text

The following persons are exempt from the licensing requirements of this chapter:

(1) Any employee of the United States government while operating a motor vehicle owned by or leased to the United States government and being operated on official business;

(2) A nonresident who is at least sixteen (16) years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid operator€™s license issued to him or her in his or her home state or country may operate a motor vehicle in this state only as an operator;

(3) A nonresident who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and who has in his or her immediate possession a valid chauffeur€™s license issued to him or her in his or her home state or country may operate a motor vehicle in this state either as an operator or chauffeur. Subject to the age limits applicable to chauffeurs in this state, that license shall be accepted as a chauffeur class I license. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a nonresident must submit an application for a chauffeur class I license which must be approved before a nonresident may be employed as a chauffeur in this state;

(4) Any nonresident who is at least eighteen (18) years of age, whose home state or country does not require the licensing of operators, may operate a motor vehicle as an operator only, for a period of not more than ninety (90) days in any calendar year, if the motor vehicle so operated is duly registered in the home state or country of that nonresident;

(5) Any operator of any traction engine, road roller, farm tractor, crane, power shovel, well-borer, and any other road and building construction machinery and equipment, other than a truck used for the transportation of materials.

## Nearby sections

- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-1 § 31-10-1. License required to drive.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-2 § 31-10-2. Persons exempt from licensing requirements.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-3 § 31-10-3. Persons ineligible for licenses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-4 § 31-10-4. Classification of chauffeurs €” Examination of applicants.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-5 § 31-10-5. Special restrictions for drivers for compensation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-5.1 § 31-10-5.1. School bus driver annual training.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-5.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-5.2 § 31-10-5.2. Temporary school bus driver license for out-of-state holders of commercial driver€™s license.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-5.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6 § 31-10-6. Graduated licensing for person under the age of eighteen (18).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.1 § 31-10-6.1. Supervising driver.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.1.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.2 § 31-10-6.2. Out-of-state exceptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.2.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.3 § 31-10-6.3. Duration and fee.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.3.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.4 § 31-10-6.4. Violations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.4.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.5 § 31-10-6.5. Insurance status.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-6.5.md)
- [R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-7 § 31-10-7. Temporary driver€™s permit €” Persons over the age of eighteen (18).](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-7.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_RI_T31_C31-10_S31-10-2. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.