Rhode Island safe driving practice questions
5 questions below test Rhode Island’s own safe driving law, each with the statute or Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles handbook section it came from, plus 10 more on safe driving rules that apply in every state.
The Rhode Island permit knowledge test has 40 questions in total and needs 28 correct (70%) to pass.
Rhode Island law
5 questions on Rhode Island’s own safe driving rules
These differ from the rules that hold nationally — they are the ones that catch out drivers who studied another state’s handbook.
1. A person with a Rhode Island learner’s provisional license cannot drive by themselves between:
- AMidnight and 6 a.m.
- B10 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- C9 p.m. and 5 a.m.
- 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.
Answer: 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.. The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual states a person with a learner provisional license cannot drive by themselves between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. (with listed unsupervised exceptions such as 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., work, and certain volunteer emergency activities).
Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual — Learner’s Provisional License
2. During the first twelve months of a Rhode Island learner’s provisional license, no more than how many passengers younger than 21 are allowed (immediate family/household exempt)?
- One
- BTwo
- CThree
- DNone
Answer: One. The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual states that during the first twelve months of a learner’s provisional license, no more than one passenger younger than twenty-one years of age is allowed in the vehicle; immediate family and household members are exempt.
Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual — Learner’s Provisional License
3. Rhode Island drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a personal wireless communication device while driving:
- Including hands-free devices or speakerphone (emergency use only)
- BOnly when texting
- COnly on freeways
- DExcept with speakerphone
Answer: Including hands-free devices or speakerphone (emergency use only). The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (citing R.I.G.L. 31-22-11.8, 31-22-11.9, 31-22-30 and 31-22-31) states drivers under 18 are prohibited from using a personal wireless communication device, including a hands-free device or speakerphone; the only time a minor is permitted to use a cell phone is in an emergency.
Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual — Cellular Phone Usage – Personal Wireless Communications Devices
4. Texting while driving in Rhode Island is:
- ALegal for adults
- Forbidden
- CLegal under 25 mph
- DLegal if using voice-to-text only
Answer: Forbidden. The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual states texting while driving is forbidden in the State of Rhode Island.
Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual — Cellular Phone Usage / Texting
5. Under R.I.G.L. 31-22-22, a child under age 8 who is less than 57 inches tall and less than 80 pounds must generally be:
- AUnrestrained if under 40 pounds
- BIn a lap belt only
- CIn a seat belt alone in the front seat
- Properly restrained in an approved child restraint system in a rear seating position
Answer: Properly restrained in an approved child restraint system in a rear seating position. The Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (R.I.G.L. 31-22-22) requires transporting a child under 8, less than 57 inches, and less than 80 pounds in a rear seating position properly restrained in a DOT-approved child restraint system.
Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual — Child Restraint Law – R.I.G.L. 31-22-22
Sources for the Rhode Island items above
Applies everywhere
Safe driving rules that hold in every state
A sample of the national safe driving bank. All 10 are in the practice run, combined with the Rhode Island items above for 15 questions in total.
1. If you must handle something that will take your attention from driving, the safest choice is to:
- ADrive faster to finish the trip sooner
- BLook down briefly while moving
- CAsk traffic to move around you
- Pull over and stop in a safe place
Answer: Pull over and stop in a safe place. Anything that takes your eyes, hands, or mind from driving increases risk. Stop safely before handling the task.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Driver fitness — distraction
2. Under ideal driving conditions, what is the recommended minimum following distance?
- A10 seconds
- B1 second
- 3 seconds
- D5 seconds
Answer: 3 seconds. The 3-second rule provides a baseline buffer for reaction and stopping distance under normal, dry weather conditions.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Space management — following distance
3. When must low-beam headlights be turned on in most jurisdictions?
- AWhenever driving above 45 mph
- BOnly during heavy snowfall
- From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise
- DOnly when driving on dark rural roads
Answer: From 30 minutes after sunset until 30 minutes before sunrise. Headlights must be used from 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise, and whenever visibility is reduced to 500 feet or less.
Source: Official state driver handbook — Lighting requirements — headlights
More Rhode Island topics
Other Rhode Island rules with their own questions
Safe driving elsewhere
Safe driving rules in other states
Safe driving law is set state by state — compare how another state handles it.
Confirm current Rhode Island rules
Statutes and handbooks change. Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles is authoritative for Rhode Island safe driving rules and for the permit test itself.
Visit Rhode Island Division of Motor VehiclesCommon questions
About Rhode Island safe driving rules and this practice set.