RI Permit Practice Test 5

All 20 questions in test 5

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. Your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and you know a train is approaching. What should you do?

   1. Push the vehicle along the tracks toward the crossing
   2. Remain inside while repeatedly trying the ignition
   3. Get everyone out and move as far from the tracks as possible
   4. Wait for the train to sound its horn before leaving
   Show answer

   Get everyone out and move as far from the tracks as possible. When a car stalls on the rails with a train coming, the manual says to get yourself and any passengers out of the vehicle and off the tracks, and move as far from the tracks as possible. To avoid being hit by debris, run far from the tracks in the opposite direction from which the train is moving, because the debris field travels the same way the train does. Staying inside to restart the engine, pushing the car along the rails, or waiting for a horn all keep you in the path of the train.

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

2. 2. Which gear should you select when the engine first sputters or stops while you are driving?

   1. Park
   2. Neutral
   3. Reverse
   4. The highest forward gear
   Show answer

   Neutral. The engine-failure procedure begins by shifting to neutral as soon as the engine sputters or stops. Start moving out of traffic toward the nearest shoulder or curb and use the hazard flashers. The manual allows an attempt to restart while the vehicle is moving, returning to a forward gear if it starts. Park, reverse, and a higher forward gear are not the specified first response. Expect steering to become harder when engine power is lost.

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

3. 3. After its brakes are applied, how far may a train travel before coming to a complete stop?

   1. About 100 feet
   2. A mile and a half
   3. About 500 feet
   4. One-quarter of a mile
   Show answer

   A mile and a half. A train may need a mile and a half to stop after braking begins. The much shorter distances listed here underestimate the stopping distance described in the manual. At crossings, never try to beat a train or go around lowered gates. Treat tracks as potentially active even when they appear abandoned. The long stopping distance is a reason to make the crossing decision before entering the rails, rather than expecting the train to stop for a vehicle.

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

4. 4. What does Rhode Island law prohibit a driver from wearing while operating a motor vehicle on a public highway?

   1. Earphones or headsets
   2. Prescription eyeglasses
   3. A winter hat with ear flaps
   4. A hands-free microphone attached to clothing
   Show answer

   Earphones or headsets. Rhode Island law does not allow a driver to operate a motor vehicle on a public highway while wearing earphones or headsets. The rule does not ban ordinary eyeglasses, winter clothing, or every hands-free accessory; it names earphones and headsets. In the same list of laws, the manual says that if a law enforcement officer stops you, you must show your driver's license and vehicle registration card on request. On request, you must also write your name in the officer's presence so you can be identified.

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

5. 5. A Rhode Island driver age 19 has a BAC of 0.04%. Which alcohol offense category applies?

   1. No offense because the BAC is below 0.08%
   2. Driving while impaired, for ages 18 through 20 and BAC at least 0.02% but below 0.08%
   3. Adult DUI at the 0.15% or above level
   4. Chemical-test refusal automatically applies
   Show answer

   Driving while impaired, for ages 18 through 20 and BAC at least 0.02% but below 0.08%. Rhode Island places drivers age 18 through 20 in this DWI category when BAC is at least 0.02% but below 0.08%. A 19-year-old with 0.04% falls inside that range, so the adult threshold in the choice “No offense because the BAC is below 0.08%” is not the only relevant rule. The 0.15% category is far higher, and refusal is a separate event that requires declining a chemical test. For an under-21 question, check age first, then compare the measured BAC with the dedicated DWI band.

6. 6. What does this DO NOT ENTER sign tell a driver?

   
   1. Continue straight but reduce speed for a work zone
   2. Parking is allowed only on the side displaying the sign
   3. The road is a two-way street with priority traffic
   4. Do not proceed into that roadway or ramp entrance
   Show answer

   Do not proceed into that roadway or ramp entrance. DO NOT ENTER is listed among Rhode Island's regulatory signs, which state rules a driver must obey rather than offer advice. It prohibits entering the roadway or ramp from the side where the sign faces you. It is not a parking instruction, a two way priority notice, or a work zone speed warning. A driver who sees it should not cross the point of entry, even if the pavement beyond appears open and empty. Find a lawful route around the blocked direction before continuing.

7. 7. What speed range does the Rhode Island manual give for most highways?

   1. 50 to 65 miles per hour
   2. 25 to 35 miles per hour
   3. 35 to 45 miles per hour
   4. 70 to 85 miles per hour
   Show answer

   50 to 65 miles per hour. The manual's summary describes most highway speeds as 50 to 65 miles per hour. That range is distinct from the 25 mph residential reference and does not create a blanket permission to drive at the top number. Posted limits govern particular roads, and weather or traffic can require a slower pace under the Basic Speed Law. When reading a speed question, distinguish the road type and the stated range, then adjust for conditions before choosing a safe speed.

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

8. 8. A Rhode Island 18-year-old is caught possessing an alcoholic beverage for the first time. Besides a fine, what license consequence does the law set?

   1. A 5 year revocation
   2. No license consequence
   3. Suspension until age 21
   4. A minimum 60 day license suspension
   Show answer

   A minimum 60 day license suspension. Under the underage possession law, anyone under 21 who possesses an alcoholic beverage is fined $150 to $750 for a first offense and is subject to a minimum 60 day suspension of the driver's license. Community service may also be required, and a second offense may bring a substance abuse assessment. The law does attach a license penalty, so a choice with no license penalty is wrong. Suspension until 21 and a 5 year revocation come from other parts of the penalty tables, not this possession law.

   Study this in the handbook: Refusal and DUI penalties

9. 9. What does Level 3 status change for a Rhode Island driver?

   1. It adds a permanent midnight curfew
   2. It permits driving only with a parent
   3. It removes Level 1 and 2 restrictions on driving time and supervision
   4. It removes the duty to use seat belts
   Show answer

   It removes Level 1 and 2 restrictions on driving time and supervision. A Level 3 Full Operator’s License permits driving without the earlier restrictions concerning time of driving and supervision. It does not create a parent-only condition, add a new curfew, or cancel the continuing rules for safety belts and child restraints. The license therefore expands independence while leaving general road laws in force. The memory cue is narrow: Level 3 removes the graduated licensing limits named in the manual, not every safety obligation that applies to ordinary driving.

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

10. 10. What must a driver do when a pedestrian using a white cane or guide dog is crossing ahead?

    1. Turn right on red after stopping
    2. Sound the horn and continue through first
    3. Stop completely before the intersection and yield
    4. Yield only if the pedestrian enters a marked crosswalk
    Show answer

    Stop completely before the intersection and yield. A white cane or guide dog signals a blind or low vision pedestrian who requires special care. The driver must bring the vehicle to a complete stop before reaching the intersection and yield the right of way. A horn does not replace stopping, and a marked crosswalk is not required for this protection. Even a right turn on red can be dangerous because the pedestrian may use engine sound to judge traffic. The cue is cane or guide dog: stop early, wait, and let the pedestrian cross safely.

    Study this in the handbook: Turn signals and roadway markings

11. 11. How should a driver respond to a flashing yellow arrow for a left turn?

    1. Turn immediately because the arrow guarantees protection
    2. Proceed in the arrow's direction only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians
    3. Stop and wait until a solid green arrow appears
    4. Turn only after yielding to vehicles behind you
    Show answer

    Proceed in the arrow's direction only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A flashing yellow arrow permits the indicated left turn, but it is not a protected movement. The turning driver must first yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. The choice promising guaranteed protection confuses this signal with a green arrow, and waiting for a solid green arrow is more restrictive than the stated rule. Vehicles facing the arrow should scan across the intersection and the crosswalk before turning. The practical cue is yellow permission paired with a yield obligation: go only after conflicting road users are clear.

    Study this in the handbook: Traffic lights and roundabouts

12. 12. What does a shared-lane bicycle marking, or sharrow, tell motorists?

    1. A bicyclist may use the full travel lane
    2. Bicycles must remain on the shoulder
    3. The lane is reserved for bicycles alone
    4. Bicycles must travel against motor traffic
    Show answer

    A bicyclist may use the full travel lane. A sharrow is placed in the center of a travel lane to show that a bicyclist may use the full lane. It alerts motorists to where bicycles are likely to travel within that lane. It does not create a bicycle-only lane or require riders to stay on the shoulder. The marking also helps reduce wrong-way bicycle travel. Look at the shared-lane symbol as notice that bicycles can occupy the same travel space.

    Study this in the handbook: Turn signals and roadway markings

13. 13. After seeing danger, about how long does the average driver take to apply the brake?

    1. Three quarters of a second
    2. One quarter of a second
    3. Two seconds
    4. Four seconds
    Show answer

    Three quarters of a second. The average driver needs about three quarters of a second to apply the brake after seeing danger. During that time, the vehicle continues moving. Higher speed means covering more ground before braking can even begin. This interval is not the time needed to stop completely: braking distance remains after the pedal is applied. Keep the difference between starting to brake and bringing the vehicle to a full stop in mind when judging available room.

    Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

14. 14. What document must a Rhode Island Level One permit holder have in possession while driving?

    1. A driver education completion certificate
    2. A road test appointment notice
    3. A parent's signed permission letter
    4. The Limited Instructional Permit
    Show answer

    The Limited Instructional Permit. A Level One driver must have the Limited Instructional Permit in possession when operating a vehicle. A driver education certificate, a road test notice, or a parent's letter does not replace this requirement. The permit holder must also have a qualified supervising driver seated beside them in the front seat, with no other person occupying the front seat. Before a practice drive, check that the permit is present as well as that the required supervisor is in the proper seat.

    Study this in the handbook: The three levels of Rhode Island's graduated license

15. 15. When a solid yellow line is on a driver's side of a two-way roadway, what does it indicate?

    
    1. Crossing is allowed whenever the driver uses a turn signal
    2. Passing is required before the next intersection
    3. The line separates lanes traveling in the same direction
    4. The driver should not pass another vehicle or cross the solid line
    Show answer

    The driver should not pass another vehicle or cross the solid line. A solid yellow line on the driver's side means that direction should not pass another vehicle or cross the solid line. The manual notes limited emergency and legal-turn exceptions, but a turn signal alone does not authorize an ordinary crossing. Yellow separates opposing traffic, so it is not a same-direction lane divider. Treat the solid marking as a no-passing warning and look for a lawful, safe reason before crossing it.

    Study this in the handbook: Turn signals and roadway markings

16. 16. In the Rhode Island manual's warning sign panel, the Added lane sign carries a label for the side the new lane joins from. Which side does it name?

    1. From the right
    2. From the center median
    3. From the left
    4. From both sides at once
    Show answer

    From the left. The warning sign panel at the back of the Rhode Island manual labels the Road Narrows sign "from right" and the Added lane sign "from left." So the manual's added lane warning shows a new lane joining from the left, while the right side label belongs to the narrowing road sign. Expect traffic entering from that side and adjust your speed or position smoothly. Do not mix up the two signs: one takes road space away, the other adds it.

17. 17. What do white roadway lines separate in Rhode Island?

    1. Traffic moving in the same direction
    2. Traffic moving in opposite directions only
    3. Pedestrian sidewalks from buildings
    4. Railroad tracks from crossing gates
    Show answer

    Traffic moving in the same direction. White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction. A broken white line generally allows a driver to pass another vehicle or change lanes when safe, while a solid white line restricts those movements and is commonly found at an outer edge or special lane boundary. Yellow lines carry the opposing-direction meaning, so the choice “Traffic moving in opposite directions only” confuses the color roles. Use the color first to understand traffic flow, then inspect whether the line is broken or solid before changing position.

    Study this in the handbook: Turn signals and roadway markings

18. 18. What should you do with cruise control when driving in rain or snow?

    1. Use cruise control only at lower speeds
    2. Use cruise control until the tires start to slip
    3. Keep cruise control on while braking lightly
    4. Leave cruise control off
    Show answer

    Leave cruise control off. The manual says never to drive in rain or snow with cruise control on. If the tires lose contact with the pavement while the system is operating, the vehicle can accelerate and the driver can lose control. Waiting until slipping begins leaves the system active during the danger it describes. A lower selected speed is not an exception to the instruction. Switch off cruise control for wet or snowy travel rather than depending on it to maintain speed.

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

19. 19. You want to turn around by backing into a driveway, and this sign is posted at that spot. What does the manual’s turnabout planning say?

    
    1. The sign bans only U-turns, so a driveway turnabout is fine here
    2. Do not turn around here, because this sign prohibits a turnabout
    3. You may turn around here if you switch on your hazard lights
    4. You may turn around here if no traffic is coming either way
    Show answer

    Do not turn around here, because this sign prohibits a turnabout. Before any turnabout, the manual says to make sure no signs prohibit it, and it names the No U Turn sign as an example. That applies to every type of turnabout, including backing into a driveway, so reading the sign as a ban on U turns alone misses the rule. Hazard lights and an empty road do not cancel the sign. Keep driving to a legal spot that also has a clear view of 500 feet each way, is at least 200 feet from an intersection, and has no double yellow line to cross.

    Study this in the handbook: Stopping, turning and passing

20. 20. Under Rhode Island’s child restraint law, when may a child under 8 use an approved safety belt or shoulder harness in a rear seat instead of a child restraint system?

    1. Only when the child is both at least 57 inches tall and at least 80 pounds
    2. When the child is at least 48 inches tall or weighs at least 60 pounds
    3. When the child is at least 57 inches tall or weighs at least 80 pounds
    4. Only after the child reaches the eighth birthday
    Show answer

    When the child is at least 57 inches tall or weighs at least 80 pounds. For a child under eight, reaching at least fifty-seven inches in height or at least eighty pounds changes the restraint requirement to an approved safety belt or shoulder harness in a rear seating position. For example, a seven year old who is fifty-eight inches tall qualifies even if the child weighs seventy pounds. Both size thresholds do not have to be met. The exception does not permit riding without a restraint, and it does not by itself allow using the front seat.

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