RI Permit Practice Test 19

All 20 questions in test 19

Every question below comes from the Rhode Island question bank on this page. Open a question to see the correct answer and the explanation. Nothing here is hidden behind a signup.

1. 1. What makes a distraction count as a physical distraction?

   1. Thinking about work while watching the road ahead
   2. Talking with a passenger during a short trip
   3. Taking hands off the wheel or eyes away
   4. Listening to directions with eyes on traffic
   Show answer

   Taking hands off the wheel or eyes away. A distraction becomes physical when hands leave the wheel or eyes leave the road, such as reaching toward the floor for a dropped phone. Thinking hard about work belongs in the mental group because grip and gaze can stay forward while attention wanders. Conversation can also pull thoughts aside without moving either hand. A fast self check works well here: palms stay placed, vision stays forward, and objects wait untouched until the vehicle is parked somewhere secure.

   Study this in the handbook: Distractions, drowsy driving and road rage

2. 2. If your headlights suddenly go out while driving, what should you do first?

   1. Pull off the road before turning on any warning lights
   2. Try the headlight switch a few times before signaling
   3. Turn on the parking lights, hazard flashers, or turn signal
   4. Keep driving without changing the vehicle's controls
   Show answer

   Turn on the parking lights, hazard flashers, or turn signal. When headlights suddenly fail, the manual's first step is to turn on the parking lights, hazard flashers, or turn signal. Those lights make the vehicle more visible while the driver works through the remaining steps. Trying the headlight switch comes next, followed by pulling off the road as quickly as possible with emergency flashers left on. Waiting to signal, or continuing without changing the controls, leaves other road users with less warning about the disabled lighting.

   Study this in the handbook: Skids, brake failure, blowouts and other emergencies

3. 3. When planning a turnabout, how far from an intersection must the driver be?

   1. At least 100 feet from the intersection
   2. At least 200 feet from the intersection
   3. Within 50 feet of the intersection
   4. At least 500 feet from the intersection
   Show answer

   At least 200 feet from the intersection. The Rhode Island manual lists a minimum separation of 200 feet from an intersection when a driver is planning a turnabout. That distance is part of checking whether the maneuver can be made safely, along with visibility, traffic, space, and pedestrian conditions. One hundred feet is too short, and being within 50 feet places the maneuver too close to the intersection. The 500-foot figure belongs to the separate visibility requirement, not the distance from the intersection.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

4. 4. At a four-way stop, what must drivers who arrive after you do if you have already stopped?

   1. Sound the horn and enter beside your vehicle
   2. Proceed first because they arrived more recently
   3. Yield the right-of-way to your vehicle
   4. Wait only if a vehicle is approaching from the right
   Show answer

   Yield the right-of-way to your vehicle. At a four-way stop, once you have stopped, vehicles arriving after you must yield the right-of-way to your vehicle. The arrival order controls this situation, so a later driver does not proceed first merely because that driver reached the sign more recently. Sounding the horn does not create a second lane or permission to enter beside you. The right-side rule applies when vehicles arrive at the same time, not when one vehicle clearly stopped first.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

5. 5. What lesson does experience behind the wheel gradually teach most drivers?

   1. Experienced drivers eventually stop making any mistakes at all on familiar roads
   2. Mistakes by others become rarer as your experience grows
   3. Other drivers improve steadily the longer you watch them
   4. The more you drive, the more you realize all drivers make mistakes
   Show answer

   The more you drive, the more you realize all drivers make mistakes. Miles on the road teach humility. Every driver, however careful, eventually drifts, hesitates, or misjudges, and expecting perfection from others leads to surprise and anger when errors appear. Experience does not erase your own mistakes, nor does it make surrounding traffic flawless over time. Watching others also does not steadily improve their skills. Build the lesson into daily habits. Leave a cushion around every vehicle, forgive a clumsy merge without retaliation, and remember that the driver who erred today could easily be you tomorrow morning.

6. 6. When may a Rhode Island driver cross a solid line marking?

   1. Whenever the lane ahead moves slowly
   2. Only while passing a vehicle on a hill
   3. Only when no officer is watching nearby
   4. In an emergency such as a breakdown or object in road
   Show answer

   In an emergency such as a breakdown or object in road. Solid lines normally bar passing and lane changes, but Rhode Island allows crossing them in genuine emergencies, including turns, a breakdown, an object in the road, or parking needs. Passing a vehicle on a hill over a solid line combines two hazards and gets no emergency shelter, so that option fails on both counts. Cross only as far as the emergency requires, signal, and return to the proper lane promptly.

   Study this in the handbook: Turn signals and roadway markings

7. 7. What happens to your license if you refuse a chemical test in Rhode Island?

   1. It is suspended for at least six months after refusal
   2. It is suspended only after a second refusal offense
   3. It stays valid while the refusal case is reviewed
   4. It is restricted to driving only during daylight hours
   Show answer

   It is suspended for at least six months after refusal. Refusing a chemical test brings a license suspension lasting a minimum of six months, starting with a first refusal rather than a repeat offense. A daylight only restriction understates that complete loss of driving privileges. The license does not remain valid simply because court review continues afterward. Added fines, a highway safety assessment, community service, and drunk driving school or treatment referral can follow. Consenting to testing avoids this separate penalty track, but sober driving avoids every track at once.

   Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, BAC limits and implied consent

8. 8. If oncoming headlights temporarily blind you at night, where should you look?

   1. At the rear view mirror until the glare fades
   2. Directly into the approaching headlights
   3. At the right edge of the roadway or the fog line
   4. At the center of the lane ahead
   Show answer

   At the right edge of the roadway or the fog line. Looking directly into bright headlights or their reflection in your mirror can prolong temporary blindness. The manual advises shifting your eyes to the right edge of the roadway, or the white fog line where one is present, until the lights pass and vision returns. That keeps a visual reference without staring into glare and also helps you notice pedestrians near the road edge. The response is a controlled glance to the side, not a fixed stare at the light or mirror.

   Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and headlights

9. 9. What speed rule applies while passing another vehicle in Rhode Island?

   1. Exceed the limit briefly if the pass is quick
   2. Match the passed vehicle speed plus ten
   3. Stay at or below the posted speed while passing
   4. Use any speed needed on a straight road
   Show answer

   Stay at or below the posted speed while passing. Passing never licenses speed above the posted limit in Rhode Island, so a pass that cannot finish within the limit should not begin at all. Exceeding the limit briefly because the pass feels quick still counts as speeding and shrinks the margin if oncoming traffic appears, making that option unlawful rather than practical. Check the gap, the limit, and oncoming distance together before pulling out to pass.

   Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

10. 10. How should you use a lane that is marked only for turning?

    1. Enter it at the last moment before turning
    2. Get into it well before the intersection and signal
    3. Stay out of it until the light turns green
    4. Use it briefly for passing slower traffic on your left side
    Show answer

    Get into it well before the intersection and signal. Getting into a marked turning lane well before the intersection gives following drivers clear warning and keeps your turn from blocking through traffic. Entering at the last moment forces a sharp swerve that surprises drivers beside and behind you. Signaling after you are positioned tells others where you intend to go next. Smooth early positioning also leaves room to slow without holding up the through lane, so plan the lane change as soon as the markings appear.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights and roundabouts

11. 11. Before turning on the engine, what should a driver check outside the vehicle?

    1. In front and behind for objects, animals, or people in the path
    2. The fuel gauge and dashboard warning lights first
    3. Only the road directly ahead for moving traffic
    4. The radio controls before looking outside the vehicle
    Show answer

    In front and behind for objects, animals, or people in the path. Safe driving begins before the engine starts. The driver should check both in front of and behind the vehicle for objects, animals, or people that could be in its path. Looking only ahead leaves a child, pet, or obstacle hidden behind the vehicle, and checking dashboard controls does not reveal anything outside. The fuel gauge and radio can wait until the surrounding area is clear. Make this walk-around check every time you enter the vehicle, especially when it has been parked near homes, driveways, or busy walkways.

    Study this in the handbook: Seat belts, child seats and headlights

12. 12. You are passing a cyclist where potholes and puddles mark the road edge. What should you expect?

    1. Leave generous space because debris may push the cyclist leftward
    2. Pass closely so traffic behind you keeps flowing smoothly past
    3. Sound the horn repeatedly so the cyclist holds a steady line
    4. Move partly into the bicycle lane to create extra room beside passing traffic
    Show answer

    Leave generous space because debris may push the cyclist leftward. Broken pavement, standing water, and loose debris near the edge can force a rider to swing farther left without much warning. Giving the cyclist generous room protects both of you when that swerve happens. Passing closely sounds efficient, yet it leaves no margin if the rider must dodge a pothole at the last second. Repeated horn blasts can startle a rider instead of steadying them. Before overtaking, scan the surface ahead of the bicycle, ease left only when clear, and leave enough room for a sudden sideways move.

    Study this in the handbook: Pedestrians, school buses and bicyclists

13. 13. For a lawful pass on the right, how many traffic lanes must the street or highway be wide enough for?

    1. One traffic lane
    2. Three traffic lanes
    3. Four traffic lanes
    4. Two or more traffic lanes
    Show answer

    Two or more traffic lanes. Rhode Island permits passing on the right on a street or highway wide enough for two or more traffic lanes, provided there are no obstructions and parked vehicles do not occupy the space. One lane is too narrow for that listed condition. Three and four lanes are not required thresholds, so adding them changes the rule rather than improving safety. The roadway must also remain part of the main traveled portion, because driving onto a shoulder to pass is not allowed.

    Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

14. 14. Which curb feature for disabled access does Rhode Island protect from parking?

    1. Any curb painted yellow near corners
    2. A curb cut or ramp for handicapped persons
    3. A driveway apron serving two houses
    4. A bus stop pad without posted signs
    Show answer

    A curb cut or ramp for handicapped persons. Parking at a curb cut or ramp for handicapped persons blocks the route wheelchair users need between street and sidewalk, so Rhode Island lists that spot among prohibited parking places. A yellow painted curb near a corner may look official, yet the manual names the access ramp itself rather than paint color. Leave ramps fully clear even for a brief stop, since a blocked ramp forces a detour into traffic.

    Study this in the handbook: Where you may not park or stop

15. 15. You find an open stretch of curb beside a ramp built for wheelchair users. May you park there?

    1. Yes, if no wheelchair user is waiting nearby
    2. No, parking is banned at that curb opening
    3. Yes, for five minutes with hazard lights flashing
    4. Yes, when the ramp leads only to a sidewalk
    Show answer

    No, parking is banned at that curb opening. Curb cuts and ramps give wheelchair users a step free path between sidewalk and street, so Rhode Island bans parking at those openings. Leaving a car there for five minutes with flashers running still blocks the route a person may need at any moment. Permission does not depend on whether someone is waiting nearby or on where the ramp leads. Keep the opening clear even during a quick stop, and choose a legal space farther along the curb.

    Study this in the handbook: Where you may not park or stop

16. 16. What proof must be carried in your vehicle with the registration?

    1. Proof of insurance carrying a 500 dollar failure fine
    2. Proof of insurance carrying a 100 dollar failure fine
    3. Proof of insurance carrying a 1000 dollar failure fine
    4. Proof of insurance with no fine for missing papers
    Show answer

    Proof of insurance carrying a 500 dollar failure fine. Proof of insurance must be carried in the vehicle along with the registration at all times, with a 500 dollar fine for failure to comply. Keeping papers only at home leaves a driver unable to show coverage when asked. A 100 dollar figure understates the stated penalty. Store current proof where you can reach it safely, replace expired cards promptly, and check the documents before long trips or registration renewal dates.

    Study this in the handbook: Licenses, insurance, phones and other laws

17. 17. When should you slow down to avoid a rear end hit near a turn?

    1. After completing the turn onto the side street
    2. Gradually before the turn using early braking
    3. Only after entering the turn at full speed
    4. Suddenly at the corner without any warning
    Show answer

    Gradually before the turn using early braking. Slow down gradually before turns to avoid being hit from the rear. Early gentle braking gives the driver behind time to notice your brake lights and match your speed. Waiting until after the turn is too late, because the risky moment is the approach. Signal ahead of the turn, ease off the accelerator, and brake smoothly so following traffic settles into the slower pace with you.

    Study this in the handbook: Licenses, insurance, phones and other laws

18. 18. A traffic light ahead flashes yellow as you approach the intersection. What should you do?

    1. Stop fully, then treat it like a stop sign
    2. Speed up to clear before it turns red
    3. Stop only if pedestrians are already crossing
    4. Slow down, cover the brake, and proceed carefully
    Show answer

    Slow down, cover the brake, and proceed carefully. A flashing yellow light warns you to slow down, cover the brake, and proceed with caution through the intersection. Covering the brake means hovering your foot over the pedal, ready to stop if a hazard appears. Treating the signal like a stop sign adds a full stop the flashing yellow never asks for. Speeding up races a warning instead of answering it. Ease off the gas early, scan both side streets, and roll through only when the crossing looks clear.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights and roundabouts

19. 19. A driver aged nineteen has a BAC of .04 percent. How does Rhode Island classify this driver?

    1. Fully legal because the level stays below .08 percent
    2. Intoxicated and charged with drunk driving like higher levels
    3. Impaired only after a second stop within five years
    4. Impaired and charged with Driving While Impaired in Rhode Island
    Show answer

    Impaired and charged with Driving While Impaired in Rhode Island. Anyone under twenty one with a BAC of .02 percent but less than .08 percent is impaired and charged with Driving While Impaired. A .04 percent reading therefore carries legal consequences even though it sits below the adult intoxication line. No prior stop is needed before this classification applies to a young driver. Treating .08 percent as a universal safe harbor misreads the stricter youth standard. Underage drivers should expect zero tolerance in practice and never drive after drinking.

    Study this in the handbook: Alcohol, BAC limits and implied consent

20. 20. In Rhode Island, how is the fine calculated when a driver is caught traveling 11 mph or more above the posted limit?

    1. $10 for each mile per hour above the limit, with a $195 minimum
    2. A flat $85 charge no matter how far above the limit
    3. $5 for each mile per hour above the limit, with no minimum
    4. Double the normal fine, charged only during daylight hours
    Show answer

    $10 for each mile per hour above the limit, with a $195 minimum. Once speeding reaches eleven miles per hour past the posted figure, Rhode Island charges ten dollars for every extra mile per hour, and the total cannot fall below one hundred ninety five dollars. The flat eighty five dollar option sounds plausible because a smaller speeding band does carry that amount, yet it stops growing while the per mile charge keeps rising with speed. Picture the ticket math before choosing: count the miles over, multiply by ten, then apply the floor.

    Study this in the handbook: Speed limits and freeway driving