Question 1

How many questions are on Rhode Island's permit test, and what score is needed to pass?

Accepted Answer

40 questions, with at least 28 correct (70%) to pass — Rhode Island's permit test has 40 questions, and an applicant needs at least 28 correct (70%) to pass.

Question 2

What must a Rhode Island applicant complete before getting a Limited Instruction Permit?

Accepted Answer

An approved driver's education course — A Rhode Island applicant must complete an approved driver's education course, such as the one offered through the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), before getting a Limited Instruction Permit.

Question 3

What is the minimum age for a Rhode Island Limited Instruction Permit?

Accepted Answer

16 — The minimum age for a Rhode Island Limited Instruction Permit is 16.

Question 4

How long must a Rhode Island teen hold a Limited Instruction Permit before applying for a license?

Accepted Answer

6 months — A Rhode Island teen must hold the Limited Instruction Permit for at least 6 months before applying for a license.

Question 5

How many hours of supervised driving must a Rhode Island permit holder complete, and how many at night?

Accepted Answer

50 hours total, including at least 10 at night — A Rhode Island permit holder must complete 50 hours of supervised driving, including at least 10 hours at night.

Question 6

What must a Rhode Island permit holder's supervising driver meet?

Accepted Answer

At least 21 years old and licensed for at least 5 years — A Rhode Island permit holder's supervising driver must be at least 21 years old and have held a license for at least 5 years.

Question 7

What curfew applies to a Rhode Island limited provisional license holder?

Accepted Answer

1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with work, volunteer, or supervised exceptions — A Rhode Island limited provisional license holder can't drive unsupervised from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m., with exceptions for work (with employer documentation), a volunteer activity, or when a qualified supervising driver is present.

Question 8

What passenger restriction applies during the first 12 months of a Rhode Island limited provisional license?

Accepted Answer

No more than one non-family passenger under 21 — For the first 12 months of a Rhode Island limited provisional license, a driver can't transport more than one non-family passenger under 21.

Question 9

Can a Rhode Island teen driver use a cell phone hands-free while driving?

Accepted Answer

No — cell phone use is banned entirely, even hands-free — Rhode Island bans cell phone use entirely for a teen driver, even with a hands-free device.

Question 10

How does the fine for a Rhode Island provisional-license restriction violation change with repeat offenses?

Accepted Answer

It escalates: $85, then $95, then $100 by the third offense — Rhode Island's provisional-license restriction fine escalates with repeat offenses: $85 for a first offense, $95 for a second, and $100 for a third.

Question 11

What fine applies to a first cell phone violation for a Rhode Island teen driver?

Accepted Answer

$100 — A first cell phone violation for a Rhode Island teen driver carries a $100 fine, rising to $150 for a second offense.

Question 12

What BAC threshold triggers Rhode Island's zero-tolerance law for a driver under 21?

Accepted Answer

0.02% or higher — Rhode Island's zero-tolerance law treats a BAC of 0.02% or higher as a violation for a driver under 21.

Question 13

What is the standard BAC threshold for a Rhode Island driver 21 or older?

Accepted Answer

0.08% — The standard BAC threshold for a Rhode Island driver 21 or older is 0.08%.

Question 14

What is Rhode Island's official knowledge-test study resource called?

Accepted Answer

The Rhode Island Rules of the Road — Rhode Island's official study resource is the Rhode Island Rules of the Road.

Question 15

Where must a Rhode Island applicant 18 or older take the computerized knowledge exam?

Accepted Answer

DMV headquarters in Cranston — A Rhode Island applicant 18 or older must take the computerized knowledge exam at DMV headquarters in Cranston.

Question 16

In which languages is Rhode Island's computerized knowledge exam offered?

Accepted Answer

English, Spanish, and Portuguese — Rhode Island's computerized knowledge exam is offered in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

Question 17

Who is allowed in the vehicle during a Rhode Island road test, besides the applicant?

Accepted Answer

Only a DMV examiner — No passengers other than a DMV examiner are allowed in the vehicle during a Rhode Island road test.

Question 18

Which agency issues Rhode Island driver's licenses?

Accepted Answer

The Division of Motor Vehicles, within the Department of Revenue — Rhode Island driver's licenses are issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, within the Department of Revenue.

Question 19

Without signs or signals, who has the right-of-way at a Rhode Island intersection?

Accepted Answer

The vehicle approaching from the right — At an uncontrolled intersection, a Rhode Island driver yields to the vehicle approaching from the right.

Question 20

What following distance should a Rhode Island driver keep in good conditions?

Accepted Answer

At least a 3-second gap — A 3-second following gap in good conditions gives a Rhode Island driver enough time to react if the vehicle ahead brakes suddenly.

Question 21

What does a double solid yellow line mean for passing in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

Passing is prohibited for traffic traveling in either direction — A double solid yellow line prohibits passing for vehicles traveling in either direction.

Question 22

What must Rhode Island drivers do when approaching a stopped school bus with flashing red lights on an undivided road?

Accepted Answer

Stop in both directions until the lights stop flashing — Rhode Island requires traffic in both directions on an undivided road to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights, and to remain stopped until the lights stop flashing.

Question 23

What should a Rhode Island driver do at a railroad crossing with no gates or lights?

Accepted Answer

Slow down, look both ways, and listen before crossing — Even without gates or warning lights, a driver should slow down, look both directions, and listen for an approaching train before crossing.

Question 24

When are headlights generally required in Rhode Island?

Accepted Answer

From a half hour after sunset to a half hour before sunrise — Rhode Island generally requires headlights starting a half hour after sunset through a half hour before sunrise, along with any time visibility is poor.

Question 25

What documentation must a Rhode Island applicant younger than 18 provide when applying for a permit?

Accepted Answer

A birth certificate plus a parent or guardian signature — A Rhode Island applicant younger than 18 must provide a birth certificate or equivalent document along with a parent or legal guardian's signature.

Rhode Island Permit Test Sample Questions

Licensing Provisional Rules

More Questions