Rhode Island permit test: safe driver habits
Distracted and drowsy driving, emotions, aggressive driving and road rage, safety belts and child restraints, texting penalties, carbon monoxide and defensive driving. 25 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key safe driver habits rulesShow the rules
- Looking away from the road for two or more seconds doubles the likelihood of a crash. (p. 17, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- For teen drivers, one teen passenger doubles the likelihood of a fatal crash, and two or more raises it by 300 percent. (p. 18, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Ideally don't use a phone while driving; if you must, use message-taking functions and return calls when you are stopped at a safe location. (p. 19, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Sleep experts recommend 7 to 9 hours a night for adults and 8 to 10 hours for teens. (p. 21, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Drivers under age 30 are involved in over two-thirds of fall-asleep crashes and are four times more likely to have a sleep-related crash. (p. 21, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Being awake for 20 hours causes impairment equal to a BAC of .05 percent; after 24 hours it equals .10 percent. (p. 21, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Most people have alertness lows between midnight and 6 a.m. (p. 21, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- If necessary, drive to a busy public place with witnesses, such as a hospital, fire station or busy store, and call 911 if needed. (p. 24, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- Use your horn sparingly; a couple of short taps may be seen as less aggressive than one long blast. (p. 24, Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) (opens the handbook))
- A child under 8, under 57 inches and under 80 pounds must ride in a rear seat in an approved child restraint system. (p. 26, 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 safe driver habits questions
1.You just had an argument and feel very angry. What does the handbook advise about driving?
- ADelay driving until the emotion fades
- BTurn up loud music and go
- CDriving is fine if you focus
- DDrive faster to calm down
Show the answer
✓ A. Delay driving until the emotion fades
Strong emotions impair your ability to think and decide, so delay driving until the emotion has faded, or ask someone else to drive.
2.Your passenger is a fussy toddler who needs attention. What should you do?
- APull safely off the road and out of traffic first
- BIgnore it and speed up to get home sooner
- CReach back while keeping one hand on the wheel
- DTurn around quickly at the next red light
Show the answer
✓ A. Pull safely off the road and out of traffic first
To manage distractions, pull safely off the road and out of traffic before attending to children or passengers.
3.How does using a hands-free headset compare with holding your phone while driving?
- AHands-free removes almost all the risk
- BHands-free is only risky at night
- CResearch shows no difference in risk
- DHolding the phone is safer
Show the answer
✓ C. Research shows no difference in risk
Research shows no difference in risk between hand-held and hands-free phone use; both can pull your attention away enough to cause a collision.
4.A 7-year-old is 58 inches tall. How must the child ride in Rhode Island?
- AIn a rear-facing car seat
- BNo restraint is required
- CIn a rear seat wearing a seat belt
- DIn the front seat in a booster
Show the answer
✓ C. In a rear seat wearing a seat belt
A child under 8 who is at least 57 inches tall or 80 pounds must wear a safety belt in a rear seating position.