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SB 2182

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 8 co-sponsors

RI driver ed at CCRI will include 33 hours, 8 on alcohol/drug effects, distracted driving, and marijuana impairment, with waivers for foster/adoptive families.

06/18/2026 Signed by Governor
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Bill Summary · SB 2182

Summary of Bill SB 2182 (Rhode Island, 2026)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS' LICENSES

Purpose and intent

  • To amend the driver education and traffic safety provisions for the Rhode Island Drivers License process.
  • Specifically, to modify driver education requirements, including curriculum content (distracted driving, marijuana-impaired driving, alcohol and drugs effects) and program administration.
  • To provide a targeted fee waiver for foster and adoptive placements regarding driver’s education fees.

Key provisions and changes

1) Driver education program administration and curriculum (Section 31-10-19)
- The Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI) must provide 33 hours of classroom driver education for applicants up to age 21 applying for a limited instruction permit or license.
- At least 8 hours must cover the effects of alcohol and drugs on driving.
- Instruction must be delivered by a teacher-certified instructor (certificate issued by the state board of regents) and course approved by the Board of Governors for Higher Education.
- In emergencies, CCRI may designate a qualified instructor to teach if no certified instructor is available.
- All driver education programs must include information on the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act and donor cards.

2) Eligibility, access, and special programs
- Driver education is available to eligible residents aged at least 15 years and 10 months.
- Separate programs are required for special needs students as indicated by an IEP.
- CCRI must provide a driver training program for physically handicapped drivers, including operation of adapted vehicles (vehicles provided by the handicapped individual). Certification by a licensed physician is required to verify disability and potential to become a competent driver.

3) Tuition, fees, and financial administration
- A tuition/enrollment fee is charged to eligible applicants, with payments deposited into a restricted receipt account to cover driver education program costs at CCRI.
- Foster caregivers (as defined in statute) are eligible for a fee waiver for driver education classes at CCRI.
- The Board of Governors for Higher Education can establish administrative regulations to implement these sections.
- CCRI must set tuition to cover program costs; certain CCRI positions funded by driver education fees may be exempt from the full-time equivalency cap, with reporting requirements from 2004 (legacy provision).

4) Parent/guardian instruction (optional)
- The Board of Governors must provide an optional course for parents/guardians/designees about the driver education curriculum and graduated licensing requirements for under-18s.
- CCRI develops the course or approves an equivalent (e.g., AAA’s course).
- The course may be provided in-class and online; costs are to be borne by providers. The course should not be required for parents unless a qualified program exists.
- If a qualified program ceases for more than six months, the course is not required.

5) Curriculum content additions
- Dangers of distracted driving (including cell phone use) to be included in curriculum and testing.
- Dangers of marijuana-impaired driving (course content similar to AAA or equivalent) to be included.
- The marijuana impairment curriculum becomes effective upon the subsection’s effective date and requires course approval by the state Board of Education.

6) Effective date
- The act takes effect upon passage.

Who is affected

  • Driver education students: prospective drivers (mainly ages up to 21) enrolled in the CCRI driver education program.
  • Parents/guardians/designees: optional instruction about licensing requirements and driver education content.
  • Foster and adoptive families: eligible for driver education fee waivers.
  • CCRI and the Board of Governors for Higher Education: responsible for program delivery, regulations, and administration.
  • Potential instructors: must be certified; emergency provisions allow qualified instructors to teach when needed.
  • Individuals with physical disabilities seeking driver training: access to adapted-vehicle instruction.

Procedural and timeline considerations

  • The act references existing statutory framework and integrates updates to curriculum content (distracted driving, marijuana impairment) with Board of Education approval requirements.
  • Fee waiver for foster/adoptive caregivers provides a targeted financial relief.
  • The act is effective upon passage (no separate future effective date provided).

Practical implications

  • Expands and standardizes driver education content and delivery at CCRI.
  • Emphasizes safety topics (distracted driving, marijuana impairment) in licensing tests.
  • Introduces an optional parent education component to improve graduated licensing compliance.
  • Creates targeted financial relief to support foster/adoptive families pursuing driver education.

Note: The bill contains some legacy provisions referencing historic reporting requirements (e.g., 2004 reports) that appear to be retained for context.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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