Seat belts, child seats and headlights

Key points

1. The seat belt law is primary for all ages, so you can be pulled over if anyone is unbuckled.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “The Seat Belt Use Law is a primary law for all ages, meaning you can be pulled over if anyone is unbuckled.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

2. The fine is $40.00 per unbelted occupant, and the driver is responsible.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “Vehicle operator is responsible for compliance of sections (f) and (g). The fine for violation of this section is $40.00 per occupant.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

3. A child under 8, under 57 inches and under 80 pounds must ride in a rear seat in an approved child restraint.

   Source: Handbook p. 25

   “child under the age of eight (8), less than fifty-seven (57) inches (4 ½ feet tall) in height and less than eighty (80) pounds in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall transport the child in any rear seating position of the motor vehicle properly restrained in a child restraint system”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 25

4. The fine for a child in the front seat, or a child over 7 without a belt, is $85.00.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “The fine for a child riding in the front seat or for a child over age seven (7) years not in a seatbelt is $85.00.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

5. Infants ride rear facing in the back seat until at least 1 year and 20 pounds.

   Source: Handbook p. 26

   “Birth to at least a minimum of one (1) year old and at least 20 lbs Rear-facing and/or convertible car seat Back seat use only”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 26

6. Lap and shoulder belts together cut the risk of death and serious injury by almost 50%.

   Source: Handbook p. 65

   “Lap and shoulder belts working together reduce the risk of death and serious injury by almost 50%.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 65

7. Turn on headlights from sunset to sunrise, whenever you cannot see 500 feet ahead, and whenever wipers are in use.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “The law requires motorists to turn their headlights on when driving from sunset to sunrise, any time you cannot see 500 feet ahead of you, and when windshield wipers are in use as a result of rain, sleet, snow, etc.”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 49

8. Dim high beams within 500 feet of an oncoming vehicle and when following within 200 feet.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “Dim your high beam headlights promptly at a distance of at least 500 feet ahead when approaching another vehicle. When following another vehicle at a distance of 200 feet or less, dim your high beam headlights”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 49

9. To avoid glare from oncoming headlights, look toward the right edge of the road.

   Source: Handbook p. 49

   “glance at the right edge of the roadway (or fog line: the white line on the right side of most roadways) until the bright lights have gone by”
   Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 49

10. You may not drive on a tire with less than 3/32 of an inch of tread.

    Source: Handbook p. 65

    “You may not drive on a tire that has less than 3/32 of an inch of tread”
    Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Handbook p. 65

Numbers to know

3 questions from the Rhode Island practice test

1. 1. Under Rhode Island’s listed restraint rule, which child must use a federally approved restraint seat?

   1. Only a child younger than four years old
   2. Every child younger than twelve years old regardless of size
   3. A child younger than seven years old
   4. Only a child seated in the front seat
   Show answer

   A child younger than seven years old. The manual states that children less than seven years old must be transported in a federally approved restraint seat in the back seat. The rule is based on the child’s age in this passage, not a front seat exception or a four year cutoff. The manual also directs drivers to follow the restraint seat instructions for age and weight. Before driving, install the approved seat correctly and place the young child in the rear seat.

2. 2. When must Rhode Island drivers turn on their headlights?

   1. Whenever the vehicle is stopped at a traffic signal
   2. Only between midnight and dawn on roads without streetlights
   3. Only when another driver flashes headlights first
   4. From sunset to sunrise, when visibility is under 500 feet, and when wipers are in use
   Show answer

   From sunset to sunrise, when visibility is under 500 feet, and when wipers are in use. Rhode Island requires headlights from sunset to sunrise, whenever the driver cannot see 500 feet ahead, and when windshield wipers are being used because of rain, sleet, snow, or similar conditions. The rule is not limited to dark rural roads or to a response to another driver. Turning headlights on while stopped at a signal is not the trigger described here. Remember the three cues: nighttime, limited visibility, or wipers operating because weather is affecting the drive.

3. 3. When must a driver dim high beams while following another vehicle?

   1. When following at 200 feet or less
   2. Only after the other driver signals a complaint
   3. At 50 feet or less
   4. Only when the vehicle ahead is stopped
   Show answer

   When following at 200 feet or less. The manual’s 500/200 rule says high beams should be dimmed when following another vehicle at a distance of 200 feet or less. This prevents glare from distracting or blinding the driver ahead. Waiting for a complaint or for the other vehicle to stop abandons the preventive purpose of the rule, while 50 feet is a much shorter threshold. The study cue is directional: 500 feet concerns an approaching vehicle, and 200 feet concerns a vehicle being followed. Both numbers require timely beam control at night.

Source: the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, III. Basic Driving Skills and Safety Rules. This lesson is a plain English summary, not the law itself; where it differs, the manual and the statute govern. Last checked 2026-09-27.