Written permit test
Rhode Island Permit Practice Test
230 free questions written from the official handbook, each with an explanation and the page it comes from.
- From the official Rhode Island handbook
- Every answer cites its page
- Checked November 4, 2026
The real test at a glance
- Time limit
- 90 minutes maximumsource
- Languages
- English, Spanish, Portuguese (computerized); other languages via scheduled printed Foreign Language Knowledge Examsource
- Where you take it
- in office (Cranston DMV HQ, by reservation); CCRI driver-ed graduates may test through CCRIsource
- Minimum permit age
- 16source
Checked against official sources on November 4, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles before your test.
About the real test
What to expect on test day
Rhode Island's written permit test has 40 questions, with up to 90 minutes to finish. It is taken in office at the Cranston DMV headquarters by reservation, and CCRI driver-ed graduates may test through CCRI. The computerized test is offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese, and other languages can be scheduled as a printed exam. You can get a permit from age 16; it costs $12.50 under 18 and $7.50 at 18 or older. Rhode Island does not publish the pass mark, so this site has no full mock exam for it.
Every question here is written from the official Rhode Island Driver's Manual and shows the page it comes from. Practice by topic, then review the questions you missed.
Practice by topic
Pick a topic to start
Start with a topic you're unsure of. Mixed sets work better once you've seen each topic.
- Limited learner permit, graduated licensing and RI lawsLimited learner permit and learner provisional license rules, the graduated licensing system and the motor vehicle laws and fines every RI driver must know.25 questions
- Alcohol, drugs and DWIEffects of alcohol and drugs, chemical test refusal, DWI penalties and underage alcohol laws.18 questions
- Safe driver habitsDistracted and drowsy driving, emotions, aggressive driving and road rage, safety belts and child restraints, texting penalties, carbon monoxide and defensive driving.25 questions
- Vehicle requirements and warning lightsVehicle equipment required for the skills test and dashboard warning lights.8 questions
- Roadway markingsLane lines, shared left turn lanes, carpool lanes and pavement painting.11 questions
- Road signsRegulatory and warning signs and sign panels.28 questions
- SignalsHand and turn signals and traffic light and signal meanings.11 questions
- Speed and safe highway drivingSpeeding and safe driving on the highway.11 questions
- Turns, stops and roundaboutsStopping, how to turn, turnabouts, four-way stops and rotaries.19 questions
- Lane changes, passing, freeways and work zonesStarting from the curb, lane changes, passing, freeway driving and work zone safety.17 questions
- Stopping, parking and backingWhere you may stop and park and proper backing.10 questions
- Emergencies, weather, night and collisionsSkids, brake and tire failure, stuck accelerator, collisions threats, vehicle fires and water, inclement and winter weather, night driving, beams, and collisions.28 questions
- Sharing the roadLane positions, large trucks, pedestrians, visually impaired pedestrians, school buses, bicycles and dooring.19 questions
learned (right 3 times on different days) seen
Try a few
Sample Rhode Island permit test questions
Open a question to see the answer, why, and the handbook page.
1.You are following a truck pulling a trailer. How far behind may its rear blind spot reach?
- AOver 50 feet
- BOver 500 feet
- CAbout 10 feet
- DAbout 20 feet
Show the answer
✓ A. Over 50 feet
Behind a truck pulling a trailer, the blind spot is over 50 feet long.
2.What do white lines painted on a highway separate?
- ATwo-way traffic on a bridge
- BTraffic moving in the same direction
- CThe road from the shoulder only
- DTraffic moving in opposite directions
Show the answer
✓ B. Traffic moving in the same direction
White lines separate traffic moving in the same direction; broken white lines let you pass and change lanes.
3.What does a steady yellow light tell you?
- APedestrians may now cross
- BThe light will turn green next
- CYou may speed up to beat it
- DA red light is next
Show the answer
✓ D. A red light is next
A steady yellow light warns that a red light is next; slow down and stop if you can do so safely.
4.You are entering a single-lane roundabout. Which way do you travel around the center island?
- AEither way, whichever is shorter
- BStraight across the center island
- CCounterclockwise
- DClockwise
Show the answer
✓ C. Counterclockwise
Roundabouts direct traffic counterclockwise around the center island; yield to traffic already in it before you merge.
5.Your car breaks down on a freeway and you must make repairs. Where should the car be?
- AIn the right travel lane with flashers on
- BHalf on the shoulder, half in the lane
- CWith all four wheels off the main pavement
- DIn the far-left lane near the median
Show the answer
✓ C. With all four wheels off the main pavement
If you must make repairs, move the vehicle so all four wheels are off the main pavement and turn on your hazard lights.
6.On a multi-lane highway you see a stopped emergency vehicle ahead on the shoulder, but you can't safely change lanes. What does the Move Over Law require?
- AKeep your speed and lane
- BUse the shoulder to pass
- CSlow down
- DStop in your lane
Show the answer
✓ C. Slow down
Under the Move Over Law you must change lanes away from the vehicle when safe; if you can't move over safely, you must slow down.
FAQ
Questions people ask
How many questions are on the Rhode Island permit test?
The state doesn't publish the number of questions or the passing score on its official site, so check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles before your test. Practice until you get at least 80% of new questions right.
Is there a time limit?
90 minutes maximum. (Source: official Rhode Island page, checked November 4, 2026.)
What languages is the test offered in?
English, Spanish, Portuguese (computerized); other languages via scheduled printed Foreign Language Knowledge Exam. (Source: official Rhode Island page, checked November 4, 2026.)
Can I take the test online?
in office (Cranston DMV HQ, by reservation); CCRI driver-ed graduates may test through CCRI. (Source: official Rhode Island page, checked November 4, 2026.)
How old do I have to be to get a permit?
16. (Source: official Rhode Island page, checked November 4, 2026.)
Are these the real test questions?
No. Nobody can legally offer the real questions. We write our own questions from the official Rhode Island Driver's Manual, and each one shows the handbook page it's based on, so you learn the rules the real test is built from.