20 questions from the Rhode Island driver handbook. Pick an answer to see the rule behind it.
1. How should a pedestrian cross the street at a roundabout according to the manual?
Answer: Cross to the raised or painted splitter or refuge, then look right and finish crossing. Pedestrians are instructed to use the splitter island or refuge as a midpoint to safely cross the remaining lanes.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 41: “CROSS: Pedestrians should cross to the raised or painted splitter or refuge. Then, look right and finish crossing to the opposite sidewalk.”
2. When should you measure your tire pressure to ensure an accurate reading?
Answer: While the tire is cold. The handbook states that tire pressure must be measured while the tire is cold for accuracy.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 68: “In order to receive an accurate reading, measure your tire pressure while your tire is cold.”
3. What is the recommended first step if your accelerator pedal sticks to the floor?
Answer: Kick the side of the accelerator once or twice. The handbook specifies kicking the side of the accelerator as the initial action to try to jar the pedal free.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 44: “Kick the side of the accelerator once or twice to try to jar it free.”
4. When following another vehicle, at what distance should you dim your high beam headlights?
Answer: At a distance of 200 feet or less. The rule specifies that high beams must be dimmed when following another vehicle within 200 feet to prevent distracting the driver ahead.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 53: “When following another vehicle at a distance of 200 feet or less, dim your high beam headlights so that they will not distract or blind the driver ahead.”
5. What is the maximum number of bicycles allowed to ride side by side on the roadway?
Answer: Two. The handbook limits side-by-side riding to a maximum of two bicycles.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 54: “No more than two (2) bicycles may be ridden side by side.”
6. What should you do if you are threatened with a rear-end collision and your path ahead is clear?
Answer: Accelerate to give the other driver more space to stop. Accelerating forward creates additional distance for the trailing driver to stop safely, reducing the severity of the impact.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 45: “If the intersection is clear, accelerate to give the other driver more space to stop.”
7. What is the recommended clearance distance when passing a bicyclist to prevent contact?
Answer: 3-5 feet. The manual specifies a clearance range of 3 to 5 feet to ensure safety when passing cyclists.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 55: “Allow as much clearance as possible (3-5 feet) when passing to prevent contact with a bicyclist and be prepared to stop suddenly if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane.”
8. According to the handbook, how should a driver treat an intersection that has no traffic signals or traffic control signs?
Answer: As if there were a yield sign present. The handbook states that uncontrolled intersections are treated as if a yield sign is present.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 41: “When approaching uncontrolled intersections, motorists must treat the intersection as if there were a yield sign present.”
9. According to Rhode Island General Law § 31-19-6, where must a person operating a bicycle ride upon a roadway?
Answer: As near to the right side of the roadway as practicable. The law mandates that bicyclists ride as close to the right side of the road as possible, unless directed otherwise by signs or markings.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 54: “Every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, exercising due care when passing a standard vehicle or one proceeding in the same direction except where official traffic control devises (signs or pavement markings) specifically direct bicyclists to do otherwise.”
10. If two vehicles arrive at a four-way stop intersection at the same time, which vehicle has the right of way?
Answer: The vehicle on the right. The rule for simultaneous arrival at a four-way stop dictates yielding to the vehicle positioned on the right.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 32: “If two vehicles arrive at the intersection at the same time, you must yield the right of way to the vehicle on your right.”
11. What is the correct procedure for a motorist entering a roundabout?
Answer: Yield to vehicles already in the roundabout and merge when there is a safe gap. Drivers must yield to traffic already circulating in the roundabout and only enter when a safe gap is available.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 40: “ENTER: Yield to vehicles in the roundabout. Wait for a gap in traffic, and then merge into traffic in the roundabout in a counterclockwise direction.”
12. When is a driver permitted to reach for their license, registration, and insurance documents during a traffic stop?
Answer: Only when directed to do so by the officer. The guidelines specify that drivers should wait until the officer asks for documents before reaching for them.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 67: “Do not anticipate what the officers is going to ask for during the motor vehicle stop. In other words, do not reach for any documents until directed to do so by the officer.”
13. What is the recommended frequency for stopping and resting during long freeway trips to avoid highway hypnosis?
Answer: Every 100 miles driven or every 2 hours. The handbook provides specific metrics for rest breaks, recommending stopping every 100 miles or every two hours to maintain alertness.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 35: “It is recommended motorist on long trips should stop and rest every 100 miles driven or every 2 hours”
14. What is the minimum distance from an intersection required to perform a turnabout?
Answer: At least 200 feet. The guidelines for planning a turnabout specify that the driver must be at least 200 feet away from an intersection.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 30: “You are at least two hundred (200) feet from an intersection.”
15. Where should children and infants ride in vehicles equipped with passenger side airbags?
Answer: In the back seats. The manual instructs that children and infants must ride in the back seats when passenger side airbags are present.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 68: “Children and infants should always ride in the back seats of vehicles equipped with passenger side air bags.”
16. When making a left turn at an intersection, which vehicles have the right-of-way?
Answer: Both the motor vehicle directly approaching and the vehicle approaching on your right. The handbook states that drivers making a left turn must yield to oncoming traffic and vehicles approaching from the right.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 29: “Both the motor vehicle directly approaching you and the vehicle approaching on your right have the right-ofway.”
17. What are identified as two of the most common causes of crashes in work zones?
Answer: Speed and inattention. The handbook directly lists speed and inattention as the primary causes of accidents in these areas.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 73: “Speed and inattention are two (2) of the most common causes of work zone crashes.”
18. Under what specific condition are motorists NOT required to stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?
Answer: When the bus is stopped on a divided highway opposite your vehicle. The handbook states that stopping is not required when the bus is opposite the vehicle on a divided highway, distinguishing this from other scenarios like private roads or undivided highways.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 54: “Motorists do not have to stop for the flashing red lights of the school bus when the bus is opposite your vehicle on a divided highway.”
19. According to the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, in which direction does traffic flow around the center island of a roundabout?
Answer: Counterclockwise. The manual states that traffic in a roundabout moves in a counterclockwise direction around the center island.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 40: “Roundabouts are intersections that direct traffic in a counterclockwise direction around a center island.”
20. When approaching an intersection to make a right turn, when should the driver turn their wheels into the intended path of travel?
Answer: Only after the way is clear. Drivers must wait until the path is clear before turning their wheels to ensure safety and proper timing.
Rhode Island driver handbook, page 29: “When you reach the intersection, wait until the way is clear. Do not turn your wheels in your intended path of travel until you are clear to make your turn.”