In addition to the free shuttle offered by Public Safety, students may be interested in riding the bus or obtaining a U.S. driver's license in order to drive a car.
RIPTA
RIPTA is the public transportation system in Rhode Island. It is a system of buses and trolleys that provide transportation around the state. When taking the bus it is important to know that "inbound" means service toward Providence and "outbound" is service from Providence. The bus that runs by the university is number 60-Newport/Providence. It stops right in front of the campus. It comes by approximately every 30 minutes, but during peak hours it comes every 15 to 20 minutes.
Fares Base Fare for Buses & Trolleys $1.50 Transfer $ .10 Student Tokens (10) $12.75 Monthly Pass $45.00 RIPTIKs (10) $15.00 Senior/Disabled No Fare No Charge Senior/Disabled Reduced Fare (Off Peak) $.75 Senior/Disabled Transfer $.05 Express Park n' Ride $1.50 ADA (RIde) one way $3.00
Day Passes
The following Day Passes are valid 24 hours from purchase, unlimited travel STATEWIDE on buses and trolleys: Key to the City Pass (available Kennedy Plaza passenger terminal) $5.00 Individual Pass (available Newport Gateway Visitors Center only) $6.00 Group Pass-for a maximum of 4 people (available Newport Gateway Visitors Center only) $18.00 Children under 5 ride free when accompanied by an adult.
All regular RIPTA fare products honored on the Providence LINK trolley system.
Fares are subject to change
Schedule
For information on the bus schedule, visit http://ripta.com/schedules/view.php and then click on Quick Scheduler or find the pamphlets with all operation hours at Kennedy Plaza.
Driver's License
In order to obtain a Driver’s License in the state of Rhode Island you need to take a written exam, which will allow you to get an Instruction Permit.
Instruction Permit
If you are 18 or older and have never held a driver's license in Rhode Island, or if your license has expired over three (3) years, you must apply for an Instruction Permit. You are not required to take any driver education course. You are required to take and pass the written exam given by the DMV. In most cases, you will also have to take a driving test. The fee for an instruction permit is $5.00.
Applicants for permits for a new driver's license must show:
- Identity document (bring your passport, I-20 and I-94)
- Signature document
- Proof of Rhode Island residency
- Social Security number
International students should go to the Registrar’s Office (located on the first floor of Administration Building) to request a letter stating that they are full time students in the school. They should also get a letter of support from the Intercultural Center. If you do not have a Social Security number and are not eligible for one, you should go to the Office of Social Security and request a rejection letter that states you are not eligible to have a Social Security number. Present this when you take your written exam. The questions on the written exam are based on the Operator Manual, which can be found at the DMV or downloaded from the website http://www.dmv.state.ri.us/manuals/. The manual is very easy to study, and the questions are not that hard. The process may seem complicated, but is actually very manageable. If you need any help, do not hesitate to come to the Intercultural Center, and we will be more than happy to assist you on the process.
For more information and locations of DMV branches, check the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles website: http://www.dmv.state.ri.us/.
Closest Locations:
Warren 1 Joyce Street
Hours of Operation:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
CLOSED 8:30-3:30 8:30-3:30 CLOSED CLOSED CLOSED
Transactions: All registration and license transactions. This branch issues Identification cards.
Parking: Free parking in the Warren Police station parking lot.
Middletown 73 Valley Road, 401-846-5451
Hours of Operation:
Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
8:30-3:30 8:30-3:30 8:30-3:30 8:30-3:30 8:30-3:30 CLOSED
Transactions: All registration and license transactions. This branch issues Identification cards. Road tests are scheduled in the mornings.
Written Exams for Driver's Licenses are administered Monday - Friday from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. No appointment is necessary - tests are given on a first come, first served basis.
Parking: Free parking in the lot adjacent to the building.
Driving Lessons and Cars
If you need to take a road test (a test where you drive and an evaluator rides with you) you will need to provide your own car to do so. If you do not have a car, you will need to rent one or have a friend loan you one. Another option (especially if you have never learned to drive) is to take driving lessons and use the company’s car for the road test. Below are listed some local driving schools.
For more information on the road test, see http://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/road_test.php.
Please remember that freshmen are not allowed to have cars on campus.
State ID Card
If you would like to have a form of identification other than your passport, but do not need a driver’s license, you can apply for a non-driver identification card if you have never had a license before.
Rhode Island ID Requirements:
• You may not hold a valid license in Rhode Island or in any other state.
• You must have an identity document (bring your passport, I-20 and I-94).
• You must also have an acceptable signature document.
• You must be able to prove Rhode Island residency.
• You must have a valid Social Security number or an acceptable denial letter (with an acceptable visa code).
• No personal checks are accepted for payment for a RI Identification Card.
International students should go to the Registrar’s Office (located on the first floor of Administration Building) to request a letter stating that they are full time students in the school. They should also get a letter of support from the Intercultural Center.
For more information on the non-driver identification card see: http://www.dmv.ri.gov/licenses/state_IDs.php
Driving Schools
AAA Driving School
110 Royal Little Dr
Providence, RI 02904
401-868-2000
Atlantic Driver Training ACAD
33 Manhattan St
Providence, RI 02904
401-331-3292
Cool Driving School
Warren, RI
401-245-8483
Noonan Driving School
85 Winslow Street
Riverside, RI 02915
401-433-1515
Safety Education Training Inc.
35 Ivan St.
North Providence, RI 02904
401-231-8744