The Rhode Island permit test has 40 multiple choice questions on a computerized exam with a 90 minute maximum; the official Rhode Island sources we checked do not state a passing score. Official source. Page updated 2026-10-27.
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Key Rhode Island DMV rules and numbers
These are key rules and numbers from the Rhode Island handbook, a few per topic so they fit on one printed page. We favor rules that state a specific number. Every fact below comes from our free Rhode Island DMV practice test question bank, which has 500 questions across 9 topics, checked against the Rhode Island handbook (last verified 2026-09-07).
Speed limits
- The highway safety section lists 25 miles per hour for residential areas. (Handbook, p. 35)
- The manual's summary describes most highway speeds as 50 to 65 miles per hour. (Handbook, p. 35)
- The Basic Speed Law promotes a speed that remains safe for pedestrians, the road surface, and surrounding traffic. (Handbook, p. 35)
- Speeding tickets issued inside designated construction areas carry doubled fines twenty-four hours a day. (Handbook, p. 71)
- Total stopping distance includes the ground covered while recognizing danger, moving to apply the brake, and braking to a stop. (Handbook, p. 27)
Right of way
- A first violation of the school bus stop law brings a fine of up to $300 and/or a license suspension of up to 30 days, and penalties increase for later violations. (Handbook, p. 51)
- Failing to yield to a blind or low vision pedestrian may result in a fine up to $1,000, reflecting how fully such pedestrians rely on drivers honoring the crossing. (Handbook, p. 50)
- Rhode Island sets the following gap behind an emergency vehicle at 500 feet, keeping responders free to brake, turn, or stop without a trailing car arriving on top of them. (Handbook, p. 35)
- At a four-way stop, arrival order normally settles priority, but equal arrival creates a special tie rule. (Handbook, p. 31)
- A driver leaving a private road or driveway must stop at the sidewalk first, then continue to the curb line and stop again. (Handbook, p. 33)
Alcohol and DUI
- The manual says a 12 ounce container of beer, a 4 to 5 ounce glass of wine, and a 1 to 1 1/2 ounce shot of hard liquor have about the same amount of alcohol. (Handbook, p. 57)
- Rhode Island places drivers age 18 through 20 in this DWI category when BAC is at least 0.02% but below 0.08%. (Handbook)
- Rhode Island General Laws section 31-27-2.1 requires anyone found in violation of the chemical test refusal statute to pay a highway safety assessment of $500, in addition to any other fines. (Handbook)
- The manual explains that when a test shows a BAC in excess of .05% but less than .08%, drivers 21 or older can be convicted if there is other evidence the driver was under the influence. (Handbook, p. 58)
- The under 18 Driving While Impaired table lists a 6 to 12 month suspension for a first violation and a license suspension until age 21 for a second violation, along with a $150 highway safety assessment or community restitution. (Handbook, p. 59)
Signals and markings
- Rhode Island requires a driver to signal at least 100 feet before making a turn, and a signal is also required when driving out of a parking space. (Handbook, p. 55)
- For a left turn, the driver should move into lane position 2 far enough before the intersection to prepare for the turn. (Handbook, p. 28)
- Rhode Island allows a right turn at red after a full stop unless a no turn on red sign is posted, but the driver must first yield to all oncoming traffic and pedestrians. (Handbook, p. 55)
- A solid yellow line on the driver's side means that direction should not pass another vehicle or cross the solid line. (Handbook, p. 37)
- Broken yellow lines separate traffic traveling in opposite directions, and the manual says passing another vehicle is permitted with care. (Handbook, p. 37)
Parking
- Rhode Island's parking list prohibits parking within 8 feet of a fire hydrant. (Handbook, p. 32)
- Rhode Island lists places where you may not park or stop, and one of them is within 30 feet of a flashing red or yellow light, a stop sign, or a traffic light. (Handbook, p. 32)
- Rhode Island bars parking within 20 feet of the driveway of a fire station and, across the street, within 75 feet of the driveway where signs are posted. (Handbook, p. 32)
- Rhode Island lists places where you may not park or stop, including within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing. (Handbook, p. 32)
- Rhode Island lists a place within 20 feet of a fire station driveway as a no parking or stopping location. (Handbook, p. 32)
Safe driving
- Rhode Island requires headlights from sunset to sunrise, any time you cannot see 500 feet ahead, when it is raining or snowing, and any time the windshield wipers are on. (Handbook, p. 55)
- Rhode Island prohibits drivers under 18 from using a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, and the manual says this includes a prohibition on using a hands-free device or speakerphone. (Handbook, p. 35)
- On an open highway at night, dim high beams promptly at least 500 feet ahead when approaching another vehicle. (Handbook, p. 49)
- The manual’s 500/200 rule says high beams should be dimmed when following another vehicle at a distance of 200 feet or less. (Handbook, p. 49)
- The Rhode Island manual lists a minimum separation of 200 feet from an intersection when a driver is planning a turnabout. (Handbook, p. 29)
Road signs
- Construction signs in Rhode Island work zones are orange and may be diamond or rectangular. (Handbook, p. 71)
- Orange construction signs warn of possible hazards ahead, and the manual names examples such as detours, lane closures, uneven pavement, flaggers, and police officers. (Handbook, p. 71)
- Rhode Island's manual explains that a roundabout does not use stop signs or traffic signals as its control method. (Handbook, p. 39)
- The manual places STOP, YIELD, and DO NOT ENTER under the heading Regulatory Signs. (Handbook, p. 2)
- Rhode Island law requires every driver approaching a STOP sign to stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or at a clearly marked stop line when there is no crosswalk. (Handbook, p. 31)
Laws and paperwork
- The Level 2 application requires fifty hours of supervised driving with a qualified supervising driver, and ten of those hours must be completed at night. (Handbook, p. 15)
- The manual permits unsupervised driving from 5:00 AM through 1:00 AM, with additional allowances for travel to or from work and certain volunteer emergency organizations. (Handbook, p. 14)
- A Level 3 Full Operator’s License permits driving without the earlier restrictions concerning time of driving and supervision. (Handbook, p. 16)
- Rhode Island's schedule of traffic violations sets a $100 fine when a child is restrained by a child restraint or seat belt but is not in any rear seating position, the same amount listed for having no child restraint at all. (Handbook)
- The Limited Instructional Permit is valid for one year or until the holder reaches age 18, whichever is longer. (Handbook)
Emergencies
- The vehicle-fire procedure first calls for pulling off, shutting off the ignition, moving away, and dialing 911. (Handbook, p. 45)
- The manual says any collision involving personal injury or property damage in excess of $1,000 must additionally be reported to the police. (Handbook, p. 62)
- The manual says to give emergency vehicles the right-of-way by pulling to the right, stopping, and waiting for them to pass. (Handbook, p. 35)
- For a mechanical or other difficulty on a freeway, the manual advises signaling and moving the vehicle into the breakdown lane if possible. (Handbook, p. 34)
- For smoke under the hood, the manual puts personal safety first: pull immediately off the road, turn the ignition off, and move away from the vehicle. (Handbook, p. 45)
Want the reasoning behind these rules? Study the handbook, chapter by chapter, in 17 short lessons quoted from the Rhode Island manual.
Signs
Sign shape and color carry meaning before you even read the words. A red octagon always means stop, a red-bordered triangle pointing down means yield, and yellow diamonds warn of a hazard ahead. For every sign image used in our practice test, with the exact meaning and explanation, see the full road sign glossary.
Keep studying
This cheat sheet is a summary, not a substitute for practice. Test yourself with the free Rhode Island DMV practice test, which explains the reasoning behind every answer, or see Rhode Island DMV facts and fees before test day.