20 questions from the Rhode Island driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. What does a solid green light indicate to a driver?
Answer: Go, if clear, after yielding or stopping for vehicles or pedestrians. The handbook specifies that drivers may proceed on a solid green light only if the path is clear and they have yielded to others.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 42: “SOLID GREEN LIGHT Go, if clear, after yielding or stopping for vehicles or pedestrians.”
2. For a driver under the age of twenty-one, what is the specific BAC range that results in a charge of Driving While Impaired (DWI)?
Answer: .02% but less than .08%. The manual specifies that drivers under 21 are charged with DWI if their BAC is between .02% and less than .08%.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 61: “Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) with a BAC of .02% but less than .08% is impaired and will be charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI).”
3. According to Rhode Island law, what is the minimum distance a driver must begin using directional signals before making turns or changing lanes?
Answer: 100 feet. The handbook states that the minimum distance for activating turn signals is 100 feet.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 58: “You must begin to use your directional signals a minimum distance of at least 100 feet before making turns or changing lanes.”
4. What should a driver do when a road is too narrow for vehicles and bicycles to travel safely side by side?
Answer: Be prepared to reduce speed or stop when the bicyclist takes the travel lane. Drivers must adjust their speed or stop to accommodate bicyclists who need to occupy the center of the lane for safety.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 55: “When a road is too narrow for vehicles and bicycles to travel safely side by side, be prepared to reduce speed or stop when the bicyclists ahead of you “takes the travel lane,” (i.e., proceeds in the center of the road).”
5. What is the only method stated in the manual that will reduce the effects of alcohol?
Answer: Time. The handbook specifies that while coffee, food, fresh air, or exercise might wake a person up, only time will actually sober them up.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 60: “After drinking, there is nothing that will reduce the effects of alcohol except time.”
6. What action should a driver take when a flashing yellow arrow is displayed for a left-hand turn?
Answer: Proceed with turning only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Drivers must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before proceeding with a turn under a flashing yellow arrow.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 41: “When a flashing yellow arrow is displayed, you may proceed with turning in the direction of the arrow only after yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians.”
7. What is the primary function of the parking brake as described in the manual?
Answer: To serve as a means of stopping a vehicle’s movement. The handbook defines the parking brake's role as a means to stop the vehicle's movement, requiring it to be functional.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 68: “Note, the parking brake serves as a means of stopping a vehicle’s movement and therefore, it too must be in proper working order.”
8. What is the recommended action for motorists regarding lane changes within a construction work zone?
Answer: Do not change lanes within the work zone. The handbook instructs drivers to maintain their lane and follow flagger directions rather than changing lanes inside the zone.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 73: “Pay attention to the directions given by law enforcement officers and flaggers and do not change lanes within the work zone.”
9. When encountering a solid line separating lanes of traffic, what action is generally permitted?
Answer: Cross the line in an emergency. Solid lines generally prohibit passing or changing lanes, but crossing is allowed in specific emergency situations.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 38: “Motorists are not permitted to pass other vehicles nor change lanes. You may cross the solid lines in an emergency (turns, breakdown, object in road, parking, etc).”
10. If there are no sidewalks available, on which side of the road should pedestrians walk?
Answer: On the left side of the road, facing traffic. The handbook specifies that pedestrians must walk on the left side facing traffic when sidewalks are absent to ensure visibility and safety.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 53: “If there are no sidewalks, pedestrians should walk on the left side of the road facing traffic.”
11. What is the correct procedure for braking if your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS) and you need to stop?
Answer: Press the pedal firmly and maintain pressure. The handbook instructs drivers with ABS to press firmly and hold pressure, noting that pumping the brakes can cancel the ABS feature.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 43: “Press the pedal firmly and maintain pressure until the vehicle stops.”
12. When approaching a pedestrian with a visual impairment who is using a white cane or guide dog to cross the street, what action must a driver take?
Answer: Bring the vehicle to a complete stop before arriving at the intersection and yield the right-of-way. The handbook mandates a complete stop and yielding right-of-way when a visually impaired pedestrian with a cane or guide dog is crossing.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 54: “When a pedestrian is using a white cane or a guide dog while crossing or attempting to cross the street ahead of you, you must bring your vehicle to a complete stop before arriving at the intersection and yield the right-of-way to the pedestrian.”
13. What action should a motorist take when observing flashing emergency lights or hearing sirens?
Answer: Pull over to a safe location to the right and stop. The handbook instructs drivers to pull over to the right to a safe location and stop when encountering emergency vehicles.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 67: “When a motorist observes flashing emergency lights or hears sirens, pull over to a safe location, to the right and stop.”
14. According to the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, how long must a driver completely cease all forward motion when stopping?
Answer: For a minimum of three seconds. The handbook specifies a minimum duration of three seconds for a complete stop to allow the driver time to check surroundings.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 31: “When stopping, drivers should completely cease all forward motion for a minimum of three seconds.”
15. Under R.I.G.L. 31-17-8, who has the right-of-way when entering a rotary if there are no traffic control devices?
Answer: All vehicles already in the rotary. The law requires entering drivers to yield to vehicles that are already circulating within the rotary.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 41: “In the absence of any traffic control device or sign, the driver of a vehicle about to enter a rotary, regardless of the direction from which the vehicle is approaching, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles already in the rotary.”
16. When entering a traffic lane from a parked position, which action should be taken first?
Answer: Signal first, then drive from the parking spot carefully. The handbook lists signaling as step 3, occurring after positioning and checking mirrors but before driving out.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 32: “Signal first, then drive from the parking spot carefully.”
17. When starting your vehicle on a hill, what is the correct sequence of actions after checking that traffic is clear?
Answer: Put the vehicle in gear, signal, release the parking brake, and drive out. The instructions for starting on a hill dictate shifting to gear, signaling, releasing the brake, and then driving out.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 33: “put the vehicle in gear, signal, release the parking brake and drive out carefully.”
18. If your vehicle stalls on railroad tracks and a train is approaching, in which direction should you run after exiting the vehicle?
Answer: In a parallel line in the opposite direction from which the train is moving. Running opposite to the train's direction helps avoid being hit by debris from the collision, which travels in the same direction as the train.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 45: “exit your vehicle and run, far away from the tracks, in a parallel line in the opposite direction from which the train is moving.”
19. Why does the handbook recommend using low beam headlights rather than high beams during inclement weather like fog or snow?
Answer: High beams may reflect off the precipitation and shorten the distance you can see. The handbook states that high beams can reflect off weather elements, reducing visibility, whereas low beams are required to maintain clear sightlines.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 52: “In these situations, high beams may reflect off the snow, rain, or fog in the air and shorten the distance you can see.”
20. According to the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, what is the definition of 'Dooring'?
Answer: When a driver or passenger carelessly opens the door of a parked or stopped vehicle and collides with a passing cyclist. The handbook defines dooring as the specific act of opening a vehicle door into the path of a passing cyclist.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 56: “Dooring is when the driver or passenger carelessly opens the door of a parked or stopped vehicle and collides with a passing cyclist.”