What does a green light on a traffic signal that is shaped like an arrow mean?

A protected move in the arrow's direction

Go that way, but yield to oncoming traffic

The signal is about to turn red

The turn is allowed only after stopping

When are you required to use headlights?

At night and when visibility is reduced

Only at night on roads without streetlights

Only on highways at night, not on city streets

Only when it is fully dark, not in bad weather

Free Rhode Island DMV Practice Permit Test - Practice Test 1 2026

25 questions80% to passExplanations includedFree

—Real test questions

—Pass score

This Practice Test 1 is modeled on the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) written knowledge exam, whose length the agency does not publish; to pass you need a pass mark the DMV does not publish (our practice tests use 80%). These 25 questions rotate through traffic laws, road signs, and right-of-way - the core topics the DMV tests most heavily. Every question includes an explanation, so you learn the rule behind each answer - not just whether you got it right.

Question 1 of 25

What does a sign in the shape of an octagon always mean?

Tip: Press 1-4 to select, Enter to submit, F to flag

Inside this test

What's on the Rhode Island Practice Test 1

The DMV does not publish how many questions are on the real Rhode Island knowledge test. Practice Test 1 is a 25-question set drawn from 53 questions, scored against a practice target of 80%.

Topics in this test's question pool

Road signs 20
Traffic laws 14
Safe driving 7
Parking 4
Right of way 3
Speed limits 2
Emergencies 2
Alcohol & drugs 1

53 questions in the pool, 11 of them written specifically for Rhode Island. Each attempt shows 25 in a new order.

Sample questions from this test, with answers

Want to test yourself first? Take the test above before reading these. Every answer below is checked against the source shown.

1. Before a Rhode Island teen can get a limited provisional license, a parent must certify how much supervised driving?
- A. 30 hours, with 5 at night
- B. 40 hours, with 10 at night
- C. 60 hours, with 15 at night
- D. 50 hours, with 10 at night (correct)
Why: Rhode Island requires at least 50 hours of supervised driving, 10 of them at night. The teen must also hold the instructional permit for 6 months and pass the road test.
Source: official Rhode Island driver handbook, p.12 (PDF p.12), Level Two: Limited Provisional License
2. In Rhode Island, drivers under 18 may use a cell phone while driving:
- A. Only in an emergency (correct)
- B. Only with a hands-free device
- C. For navigation only
- D. For short calls
Why: Rhode Island law (R.I. Gen. Laws 31-22-11.9) prohibits drivers under 18 from using a personal wireless communication device while driving, including hands-free use, except in an emergency.
Source: R.I. Gen. Laws 31-22-11.9(a)
3. When are you required to use headlights?
- A. Only at night on roads without streetlights
- B. At night and when visibility is reduced (correct)
- C. Only when it is fully dark, not in bad weather
- D. Only on highways at night, not on city streets
Why: Every state requires headlights at night and when visibility is reduced. The exact period varies: some states say sunset to sunrise, many say 30 minutes after sunset to 30 minutes before sunrise. Many states also require headlights whenever your wipers are on or you cannot see a set distance (often 500 or 1,000 feet) ahead.
Source: official Rhode Island driver handbook
4. What is the safest way to check your blind spot before changing lanes?
- A. Check your rearview mirror, then signal and go
- B. Check both side mirrors only
- C. Glance over your shoulder toward the new lane (correct)
- D. Trust your car's blind-spot warning light
Why: Mirrors have blind spots. Always glance over your shoulder in the direction you plan to move before changing lanes, in addition to checking your mirrors.
Source: official Rhode Island driver handbook
5. A diamond-shaped orange sign indicates:
- A. A school zone
- B. A work zone ahead (correct)
- C. A slow-moving vehicle ahead
- D. A yield ahead
Why: Orange diamond-shaped signs indicate construction or work zones. Speed limits are often reduced and fines are doubled in work zones. Slow down and stay alert.
Source: official Rhode Island driver handbook
6. A red circle with a red slash through a symbol means:
- A. The action is required ahead
- B. The action shown is prohibited (correct)
- C. Caution for the action shown
- D. The action is allowed after stopping
Why: A red circle with a diagonal slash means the action depicted inside is prohibited - for example, no left turn, no U-turn, or no trucks.
Source: Federal MUTCD 11th ed. (Dec 2023) 1D.05 Color Code

More Rhode Island facts, the full requirements table and the printable PDF are on the Rhode Island permit practice test page.

Rhode Island DMV Test Info

Questions on real test: Not published by the DMV
Passing score: Not published
Correct needed: a pass mark the DMV does not publish (our practice tests use 80%)
Minimum age: 16 years old
Testing agency: Division of Motor Vehicles

Official RI DMV Website ↗

More Rhode Island Tests

Study Tip

Don't just aim to pass this Rhode Island Practice Test 1 once - keep taking it until you score 80% or higher two or three times in a row. Read the explanation after every question, even the ones you get right, to lock in the rule before your DMV exam.