Rhode Island permit test: turns, stops and roundabouts
Stopping, how to turn, turnabouts, four-way stops and rotaries. 19 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key turns, stops and roundabouts rulesShow the rules
- Total stopping distance is perception distance plus reaction distance plus braking distance. (p. 28, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- At the start of a rain, water mixes with oil, rubber and dirt on the pavement, making the road at its slickest. (p. 28, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- After seeing danger, the average driver takes about three-quarters of a second to apply the brake. (p. 28, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Never pull suddenly to the left from the right-hand lane; if you can't get to the center early enough, go on to the next intersection. (p. 29, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Twenty-two percent of all crashes occur when one vehicle is turning left, and most could be avoided by turning properly. (p. 29, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Right turns must be taken from the extreme right-hand side of the road; don't swing left first. (p. 29, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Before a turnabout, be at least 200 feet from an intersection and have clear visibility for 500 feet in each direction. (p. 30, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- When stopping, cease all forward motion for at least three seconds so you can look left, right, center and left again. (p. 31, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right. (p. 32, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- At a four-way stop, yield to all vehicles that stopped before you arrived; cars arriving after you yield to you. (p. 32, 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 turns, stops and roundabouts questions
1.You come to a stop sign. How long should you stop before going on?
- AAt least 3 seconds
- BAt least 5 seconds
- CAt least 1 second
- DJust long enough to slow down
Show the answer
✓ A. At least 3 seconds
When stopping, cease all forward motion for at least three seconds so you can look left, right, center and left again.
2.When is a U-turn allowed in Rhode Island?
- AAnywhere you have the room
- BWhere allowed and not blocking traffic
- COnly on a divided highway
- DOnly at a lit traffic signal
Show the answer
✓ B. Where allowed and not blocking traffic
A U-turn is only legal where it is permitted and when it won't hold up traffic moving either way.
3.You and another car stop at a four-way stop at the same moment. The other car is on your right. Who goes first?
- AThe car going straight
- BYou go first
- CWhoever signals first
- DThe car on your right
Show the answer
✓ D. The car on your right
At a four-way stop, if two vehicles arrive at the same time, yield to the vehicle on your right.
4.You are about to enter a roundabout. Who has the right-of-way?
- AYou, if you are coming from the right
- BThe vehicle going fastest
- CVehicles entering from your left
- DVehicles already in the roundabout
Show the answer
✓ D. Vehicles already in the roundabout
When entering a roundabout, yield to vehicles already in it, wait for a gap, then merge counterclockwise.