Rhode Island permit test: emergencies, weather, night and collisions
Skids, brake and tire failure, stuck accelerator, collisions threats, vehicle fires and water, inclement and winter weather, night driving, beams, and collisions. 28 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key emergencies, weather, night and collisions rulesShow the rules
- To control a skid, let off the gas, keep your foot off the brake, let the car slow, and steer where you want to go. (p. 43, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- If there are flames under the hood, do not open it; pull off, turn off the ignition, move away and call 911. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- A train may need a mile and a half to stop, so never try to beat one to a crossing. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Never assume tracks are abandoned; assume a train will travel on them even if they look unused. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Never go around gates that are down or try to beat the train; stop, look and listen. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- If the fire is out of control, move at least 100 feet away because the fuel tank could explode; don't try to fight it. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- On ice, brake early, brake slowly and never slam on the brakes; leave plenty of space to stop. (p. 46, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- To avoid being blinded, glance at the right edge of the road or fog line until the lights pass. (p. 53, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- When following another vehicle at 200 feet or less, dim your high beams so they don't blind the driver ahead. (p. 53, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Stay in the car with your belt on and both hands visible on the steering wheel; don't reach for documents until asked. (p. 67, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample emergencies, weather, night and collisions questions
1.Your right wheels drop off the pavement onto a low shoulder. What should you do?
- ASpeed up to climb back on
- BBrake hard on the shoulder
- CJerk the wheel back right away
- DEase off the gas and avoid braking
Show the answer
✓ D. Ease off the gas and avoid braking
For off-road recovery, hold the wheel firmly, ease up on the gas and let the car slow, avoiding braking if possible, then return where the shoulder is level with the road.
2.Where is black ice most likely to form?
- AOn busy straight roads in sun
- BOn roads after salting
- COn bridges and in shady areas
- DOnly on dirt roads
Show the answer
✓ C. On bridges and in shady areas
Slow down near intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas; all are likely spots for black ice.
3.A car is about to hit the side of your car at an intersection. Besides braking or speeding up, what should you do?
- AStop and stay where you are
- BShift into neutral right away
- CSound the horn and swerve away
- DTurn off your headlights
Show the answer
✓ C. Sound the horn and swerve away
To avoid a side-impact collision, brake or accelerate, sound the horn to alert the other driver, and change lanes or swerve away from the impact.
4.Your brakes fail completely. Besides pumping the pedal, what can help slow the car?
- ADownshift to a lower gear
- BTurn off the engine
- COpen the doors
- DShift into reverse
Show the answer
✓ A. Downshift to a lower gear
With brake failure, pump the pedal, downshift to use engine braking, and use the parking brake carefully.