Rhode Island permit test: distracted & drowsy driving
Phone and texting laws, other distractions and fatigue. 8 questions.
You are 17. Under Rhode Island law, may you talk on a phone while driving if you use a hands-free headset?
Keyboard: press 1–4 or A–D to answer, Enter for the next question, S to save, R to read aloud, P to pause reading, L to listen and answer.
Sample distracted & drowsy driving questions
You are 17. Under Rhode Island law, may you talk on a phone while driving if you use a hands-free headset?
- A Yes, hands-free calls are legal at any age
- B No, minors may not use a phone, even hands-free
- C Yes, if your supervising driver approves the call
- D Only on highways with a posted speed limit of 50 mph or more
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B. No, minors may not use a phone, even hands-free
Rhode Island bans drivers under 18 from using a cell phone while driving, and the ban includes hands-free devices and speakerphones. The only exception is an emergency.
You are 16 and driving when you see a crash with injured people. What does the manual say you should do?
- A Pull over to a safe spot and call 911
- B Call 911 right away while you keep driving
- C Text a parent so they can call for help
- D Do nothing, since minors may never use a phone
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A. Pull over to a safe spot and call 911
An emergency is the only time a driver under 18 may use a phone. Even then, pull to a safe location before calling 911 so the call does not cause a second crash.
A driver under 18 is convicted a third time of using a cell phone while driving. What penalty does the manual list?
- A A $100 fine and a written warning
- B A $150 fine and 30 days' suspension
- C A $500 fine and 10 hours of community service
- D A $250 fine and loss of license until age 18
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D. A $250 fine and loss of license until age 18
For minors, phone violations cost $100 for a first offense, $150 for a second, and $250 plus loss of license until age 18 for a third or later offense. Repeat offenses can cost you your license for months or years.
Which Rhode Island drivers are forbidden to read or send text messages while driving?
- A Only drivers under 18
- B Only drivers under 21
- C Only drivers with a permit or provisional license
- D Drivers of every age
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D. Drivers of every age
Texting while driving is forbidden for all drivers in Rhode Island, whatever their age. Texting takes your eyes off the road and your hands off the wheel at the same time.