Rhode Island Permit Test (DMV Written Test) — All Questions

A red, eight-sided (octagonal) sign requires you to:

• a.Slow and merge
• b.Come to a full stop, then go when it is safe✓
• c.Yield only to buses
• d.Stop only at night

A red octagon is a STOP sign. Stop completely at the stop line, crosswalk, or intersection, then proceed when it is safe. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, traffic signs)

A yellow diamond-shaped sign generally means:

• a.A speed limit
• b.A rest area ahead
• c.The road is closed
• d.A warning of a hazard or change in the road ahead✓

Yellow diamond signs are warning signs that alert you to curves, crossings, or other conditions ahead. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, warning signs)

A flashing red traffic signal means:

• a.Stop completely, then proceed when it is safe, the same as a STOP sign✓
• b.Keep moving
• c.Ignore the signal
• d.Turn right only

A flashing red light has the same meaning as a STOP sign: stop fully, then go when the way is clear. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, traffic signals)

A downward-pointing triangular sign tells you to:

• a.Stop and wait for a green light
• b.Make a U-turn
• c.Yield the right of way✓
• d.Enter a one-way street

A downward triangle is a YIELD sign. Slow down, be ready to stop, and give the right of way to traffic and pedestrians. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, regulatory signs)

A broken (dashed) white line between lanes means:

• a.You may never change lanes
• b.You may change lanes when it is safe✓
• c.The lane is for buses only
• d.The road ends ahead

A broken white line separates lanes going the same direction and allows lane changes when it is safe. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, pavement markings)

At a four-way stop, two vehicles arrive at the same moment. The one that yields is:

• a.The larger vehicle
• b.The vehicle turning right
• c.The vehicle on the left✓
• d.The vehicle going straight

When two vehicles reach a four-way stop together, the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, right of way)

You are turning left at a green light with oncoming traffic approaching. You must:

• a.Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, then turn when it is safe✓
• b.Turn immediately
• c.Assume oncoming cars will stop
• d.Turn only after sounding the horn

A left turn does not have the right of way. Yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians and turn when there is a safe gap. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, turns)

Under Rhode Island's Move Over law, when you approach a stopped emergency or maintenance vehicle with flashing lights, you should:

• a.Keep your speed and lane
• b.Stop in the travel lane
• c.Pass on the shoulder
• d.Move over a lane if you can, or slow down and pass with caution✓

Rhode Island's Move Over law requires you to change lanes away from a stopped emergency or service vehicle when safe, or slow down and pass carefully. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, Move Over law)

A pedestrian is crossing in a marked crosswalk ahead of you. You must:

• a.Continue since vehicles have priority
• b.Yield and stop if necessary to let the pedestrian cross safely✓
• c.Honk and drive around
• d.Speed up to pass first

Drivers must yield to pedestrians in a crosswalk, stopping if needed to let them cross safely. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, pedestrians)

At an intersection with no signs or signals, you should:

• a.Yield to vehicles already there and to the vehicle on your right✓
• b.Always proceed first
• c.Speed through the intersection
• d.Stop and wait for a police officer

At an uncontrolled intersection, yield to any vehicle already there and to the vehicle on your right when arriving together. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, right of way)

A safe following distance in good conditions is at least:

• a.One car length
• b.One second
• c.Three seconds✓
• d.Ten seconds

Use at least a three-second following distance in good conditions and add time in rain, snow, or heavy traffic. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, following distance)

A school bus ahead shows flashing red lights and an extended stop arm. You must:

• a.Stop and stay stopped until the lights stop flashing and the arm folds✓
• b.Pass carefully on the left
• c.Continue if no children are seen
• d.Slow to 10 mph and pass

Stop for a school bus with flashing red lights and stop arm out, and remain stopped until it withdraws them. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, school buses)

Rhode Island's handheld device law states that, while driving, you:

• a.May text at red lights
• b.May hold a phone if you are over 18
• c.May use any device below 25 mph
• d.May not use a handheld phone or device; hands-free only✓

Rhode Island requires hands-free operation and prohibits using a handheld phone or device while driving. Texting while driving is banned. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, distracted driving)

Rhode Island's seat belt law requires:

• a.Only the driver to buckle up
• b.The driver and passengers to wear seat belts, enforced as a primary offense✓
• c.Belts only on highways
• d.Belts only for children

Rhode Island enforces its seat belt law as a primary offense, meaning you can be stopped and cited for an unbelted occupant alone. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, occupant protection)

On Rhode Island's interstate highways, the posted maximum speed is commonly:

• a.45 mph
• b.55 mph
• c.65 mph✓
• d.80 mph

Rhode Island posts up to 65 mph on interstate highways, with lower limits in cities and towns. Always obey the posted signs. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, speed limits)

In rain, snow, or fog you should:

• a.Keep the same speed
• b.Follow more closely to see better
• c.Speed up to finish sooner
• d.Reduce speed and increase following distance✓

Posted limits assume ideal conditions. In bad weather, slow down and leave more space to stop safely. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, adjusting to conditions)

You should never drive faster than:

• a.Is safe for current traffic, weather, and road conditions, even if below the posted limit✓
• b.The car ahead of you
• c.45 mph on any road
• d.The posted limit at all times regardless of weather

You must always drive at a speed that is reasonable and safe for conditions, which may be well below the posted maximum. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, speed regulation)

When approaching a school zone during posted hours, you should:

• a.Keep normal speed
• b.Slow to the reduced school-zone limit and watch for children✓
• c.Stop fully at all times
• d.Sound your horn

Obey the reduced school-zone speed during posted hours and be ready to stop for children and crossing guards. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, school zones)

For a driver 21 or older, Rhode Island's per se BAC limit is:

• a.0.05 percent
• b.0.08 percent✓
• c.0.10 percent
• d.0.12 percent

A driver 21 or older is legally impaired at 0.08 percent BAC and can be charged below that if impaired. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, DUI)

For drivers under 21, Rhode Island uses a lower alcohol limit of:

• a.The same 0.08 as adults
• b.0.05 percent
• c.0.02 percent (zero tolerance)✓
• d.No limit

Rhode Island applies a 0.02 percent zero-tolerance limit for drivers under 21; any measurable alcohol can lead to license action. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, underage drinking)

A Rhode Island driver under 18 who has completed the required driver education must complete a classroom course of:

• a.6 hours
• b.10 hours
• c.20 hours
• d.33 hours✓

Rhode Island requires drivers under 18 to complete a 33-hour classroom driver education course before licensing. (Rhode Island DMV, driver education requirement)

During the first year with a Rhode Island intermediate license, a driver under 18 generally may not:

• a.Drive between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. or carry more than one passenger under 21 who is not family, with limited exceptions✓
• b.Drive with a parent
• c.Ever use a public road
• d.Drive to school

During the first year, an intermediate license holder is generally restricted from driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. and from carrying more than one passenger under 21 who is not immediate family, with limited exceptions. Confirm current rules with the RI DMV. (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, graduated licensing)