Rhode Island Permit Test Cheat Sheet (2026)
The Rhode Island rules and numbers to know for the DMV knowledge test, on one page. Every line was checked against the official Rhode Island driver's handbook. It is a study sheet: you cannot use notes during the real test.
The Rhode Island test at a glance
- Questions on the test
- Not published by the DMV
- To pass
- a pass mark the DMV does not publish (our practice tests use 80%)
- Time limit
- Rhode Island's computerized knowledge test has a 90-minute maximum.
- Minimum permit age
- 16 years old
- Alcohol limit under 21
- 0.02% BAC
Rhode Island rules and numbers
From the official Rhode Island handbook (rev. 03/2023); PDF page numbers in brackets.
Rules of the road
- Rhode Island limited provisional, first 12 months: one passenger under 21. [p.14]
- Rhode Island limited provisional: no unsupervised driving 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. [p.14]
- Rhode Island: no parking or stopping within 8 feet of a fire hydrant. [p.32]
- Rhode Island: no parking within 30 feet of a stop sign, traffic light or flashing signal. [p.32]
- Signed fire station driveway: no parking within 20 ft; across the street, 75 ft. [p.32]
- Rhode Island: no parking within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a crossing. [p.32]
- Parked on a two-lane road: right wheels within 12 inches of the curb. [p.32]
- Turnabouts: 500 feet of clear view each way and at least 200 feet from an intersection. [p.29]
- Leaving a driveway: stop at the sidewalk, then again at the curb line. [p.33]
- Passing: never pass more than one vehicle at a time. [p.33]
- Rhode Island: 25 mph in residential areas; 50-65 mph on most highways. [p.35]
- Rhode Island work zones: speeding fines are doubled 24 hours a day. [p.71]
- Rhode Island: drive 500 feet behind emergency vehicles. [p.35]
- Shared center turn lane: enter only if you will turn within 100 feet. [p.37]
- Rhode Island: solid lane lines mean no passing or lane changes except when needed. [p.37]
- Uncontrolled intersection: treat it as if there were a yield sign. [p.40]
- Roundabouts: never stop inside one unless there is an emergency. [p.39]
- Rhode Island school bus stop law also applies on private roads and in parking lots. [p.51]
- Approaching a horse: slow down and make no horn or other loud noise. [p.55]
- Rhode Island: no earphones or headsets while driving. [p.55]
- Rhode Island provisional license: 50 supervised hours, 10 of them at night. [p.12]
Safe driving & emergencies
- Rhode Island: drivers under 18 may not use a phone, even hands-free, except emergencies. [source]
- Rhode Island: all drivers must use mobile devices hands-free; texting is banned. [source]
- Brake failure: three or four pumps tell you if the brakes will hold. [p.42]
- Off-road recovery: slow gently to 5-10 mph before returning to the road. [p.43]
- Off-road recovery: steer sharply back, then counter-steer when front tires touch. [p.43]
- Stalled on tracks: get out and run away from the tracks, toward the oncoming train. [p.44]
- Following a motorcycle: keep at least 3 to 4 seconds of space. [p.46]
- Behind a truck: stay back far enough to see its side-view mirrors. [p.49]
- Rhode Island: headlights on whenever wipers are on, or you can't see 500 ft ahead. [p.55]
- 500/200 rule: dim high beams 500 ft from oncoming cars, 200 ft when following. [p.49]
- Rhode Island: bicycle riders and passengers 15 and younger must wear a helmet. [p.51]
- Rhode Island: tires need at least 3/32 inch of tread. [p.65]
Rules learners miss most
The rules behind the most-missed questions on our practice tests. Some details, such as parking distances, can differ by state - your handbook has the final word.
- At 60 mph a car travels about 88 feet per second.
- Measure following distance in seconds, counted from a fixed roadside object.
- Most states: no parking within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.
- A yellow curb signals a stopping or parking limit - check signs and local rules.
- Uncontrolled T-intersection: the terminating road yields to the through road.
- Uphill with a curb: turn wheels away from the curb; downhill: toward it.
- KEEP RIGHT: pass to the right of the island, median or obstruction.
- Point of no return: past it you cannot stop safely on yellow, so proceed.
- Zipper merge: use both lanes up to the merge point, then alternate.
- In heavy rain use low beams, slow down and increase following distance.
- Parallel park close to and parallel with the curb, within your state's limit.
- Yellow pennant on the left side of the road: a no-passing zone begins.
- Car with skid marks: the road is slippery when wet.
- Diamond-shaped signs are warning signs.
- 4-way stop tie: the driver on the left yields to the driver on the right.
- ABS keeps wheels from locking in hard braking so you can still steer.
- A round yellow sign warns of a railroad crossing ahead.
- Merging onto a highway: yield to traffic already on the highway.
- An upward-pointing pentagon marks a school zone or school crossing.
- Steady yellow: the light is about to turn red - stop if you can do so safely.
- Basic speed law: never drive faster than is safe for conditions, even under the limit.
- Use high beams on open roads; dim them for oncoming or followed vehicles.
- Arrows pointing up and down warn of two-way traffic ahead.
- Orange diamond signs warn of construction and work zones.
- Adult (21+) BAC limit is 0.08% in most states.
- Implied consent: by driving you agree to chemical tests if arrested for DUI.
Now test yourself
Reading rules is a start; answering questions is what makes them stick.