Rhode Island DMV Permit Practice Test 6

Test 6 of 10. Pick an answer for each question to see if it is right and why; your score appears at the end. You need 32 correct answers to pass, the same ratio as the real Rhode Island test.

A bridge over a bay with sailboats, a typical landscape of Rhode Island
  1. 1. A disabled vehicle is blocking your lane on a two-lane road with a single solid yellow line on your side. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Wait until the oncoming lane is clear, then go around carefully

    The solid line prohibits overtaking a moving vehicle, but in most states a driver may go around an obstruction such as a disabled vehicle once the oncoming lane is clear and the move can be made safely.

  2. 2. A school crossing guard steps into the roadway and holds up a stop paddle. What must you do?

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    Answer D: Stop and stay stopped until the guard and the children have left the road

    A crossing guard directs traffic with legal authority; you must remain stopped until both the guard and the children are clear of the roadway.

  3. 3. A sign at the start of an exit ramp shows a speed much lower than the highway limit. What does it apply to?

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    Answer C: The curve of the ramp itself, once you have left the highway

    The ramp speed is set by the sharpness of the ramp curve, so you slow to it inside the deceleration lane rather than out on the highway.

  4. 4. Yellow signs each showing one large black arrowhead, installed in a row along the outside of a curve, are

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    Answer D: chevron alignment signs marking the change of direction of the curve

    Chevron alignment signs are placed on the outside of a curve so that several are in view at once, letting the driver judge how sharply the road turns.

  5. 5. What can happen to a vehicle used in a Rhode Island street racing violation when it belongs to the person charged?

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    Answer A: It may be impounded for one to thirty days at the registered owner's expense

    Under 31-27-22, a vehicle used in a street racing violation may be impounded for one to thirty days at the registered owner's expense.

  6. 6. What can a first violation of Rhode Island's school bus stopping law cost a driver?

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    Answer B: A fine of up to 300 dollars and a license suspension of up to 30 days

    Under Rhode Island General Law 31-20-12 a first violation carries a fine of up to 300 dollars and/or a license suspension of up to 30 days; a subsequent offense brings a mandatory fine of 300 to 500 dollars and/or a one year revocation.

  7. 7. The low sun is directly ahead and glare makes it hard to see. What should you do?

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    Answer C: Slow down, use the sun visor or sunglasses, and increase following distance

    Sun glare can hide pedestrians, brake lights and signals. Reducing speed and adding space gives you time to react to what you cannot yet see.

  8. 8. What does Rhode Island allow a learner's permit holder aged 18 or older to do?

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    Answer A: Drive alone without supervision, and take the road test after holding the permit 30 days

    A Rhode Island resident 18 or older with a learner's permit is eligible for the road test after 30 days and may drive alone during the waiting period.

  9. 9. What is a driver being warned about here?

    A yellow diamond showing two black arrows, one pointing up and one pointing down
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    Answer B: The pavement ahead carries vehicles traveling in the opposite direction

    Beyond this point vehicles come the other way on the same pavement, which commonly happens where a one-way section or a separated stretch comes to an end.

  10. 10. What does it mean to scan the road while driving?

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    Answer A: Moving your eyes constantly over the road, the sides and the mirrors

    Scanning keeps information coming in from every direction, while a fixed stare leaves you blind to everything else.

  11. 11. Why are drivers required to turn the front wheels when parking on a grade?

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    Answer A: So that a vehicle that starts to roll leaves the traffic lanes instead of entering them

    The wheel position is a last line of defense if the parking brake or transmission fails, directing the vehicle into the curb or off the roadway.

  12. 12. You are turning right on a red light where that is permitted. What does the law require first?

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    Answer B: A full stop, then yielding to traffic and pedestrians

    A right turn on red is allowed only after stopping completely and giving way to everyone who has the green, including people in the crosswalk.

  13. 13. You and the driver facing you both have stop signs at a two-way stop. You are going straight and that driver is turning left. Who has the right of way?

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    Answer B: You do, and the turning driver must wait

    Between two opposing drivers who both stopped, the one going straight goes first and the left-turning driver yields.

  14. 14. What kind of warning light must a roadside assistance vehicle display to trigger Rhode Island's move-over duty while helping a disabled vehicle?

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    Answer B: Flashing amber lights

    31-14-3 requires a roadside assistance vehicle to display flashing amber lights while assisting a disabled vehicle for the move-over duty to apply.

  15. 15. A driver passes this sign on an open road. Over what stretch does the figure it sets stay in force?

    A white vertical rectangle with a black border and black legend
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    Answer A: From the sign onward, in every lane, until another sign sets a different figure

    The figure governs the road from the sign onward and binds every lane, and it stays in force until a later sign sets a different one.

  16. 16. After a crash, what information should you exchange with the other driver?

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    Answer B: Name, address, driver license, vehicle registration and insurance details

    Identification, registration and insurance information are what the other party and the insurers need. Sensitive financial details are never required.

  17. 17. Where is this sign installed in relation to the hazard it announces?

    A yellow circle showing a black cross and the letters R R in the side quarters
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    Answer A: Far enough before the hazard that a driver can slow down and stop short of it

    This is an advance warning sign, placed on the approach so a driver has time to react before reaching a crossing that a curve or a crest may be hiding.

  18. 18. You are stopped at a stop sign waiting to turn onto a highway where traffic moves at 55 mph. How should you choose your gap?

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    Answer A: Wait for a much larger gap than the one you would accept on a city street

    Fast traffic covers ground while you are still accelerating, so the gap that feels adequate at 25 mph is dangerously short at highway speed.

  19. 19. How soon must a Rhode Island vehicle owner notify the Division of Motor Vehicles in writing after moving to a new address, under General Law 31-3-34?

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    Answer A: Within 10 days

    31-3-34 requires written notice of a former and current address to the DMV within 10 days after moving.

  20. 20. What prima facie speed limit applies within 300 feet of a schoolhouse's entrances and exits under 31-14-2, while school is in session?

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    Answer D: 20 mph

    31-14-2 sets a 20 mph prima facie limit within 300 feet of a schoolhouse's entrances and exits during the hours school is in session.

  21. 21. In a work zone a flagger is directing traffic in a way that conflicts with the posted signs. Whom do you follow?

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    Answer B: The flagger's directions

    A flagger controls traffic through a work area that changes from day to day, and those instructions take precedence over the fixed signs and markings in that zone.

  22. 22. You signaled a lane change and the signal did not switch itself off afterwards. Why does that matter?

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    Answer B: Other drivers may act on a turn you do not intend to make

    A signal left on tells other drivers you are about to turn, and someone may pull out in front of you. Cancel it as soon as the maneuver is finished.

  23. 23. May you use a relative's accessible parking placard to park in a marked accessible space?

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    Answer D: No, only when the placard holder is being transported in the vehicle

    A placard belongs to the person, not to the car, so it is valid only when that person is being transported; using it otherwise takes a space from someone who needs it.

  24. 24. Why are pedestrians and cyclists a special risk on unlit streets at night?

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    Answer A: Dark clothing can make them invisible until they are very close

    A person in dark clothing reflects almost no light and may not appear until they are inside your stopping distance, so cut your speed where people may be about.

  25. 25. You park in your own driveway and the rear of the vehicle sticks out over the sidewalk. What is wrong with that?

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    Answer C: It blocks the sidewalk and forces people into the street

    A vehicle overhanging the sidewalk pushes pedestrians, wheelchair users and strollers into the roadway, and blocking a sidewalk is prohibited.

  26. 26. What does a first street racing conviction under Justin Nunes' Law, General Law 31-27-22, carry?

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    Answer C: Up to one year in jail, a fine of 500 to 1000 dollars, and 10 to 60 hours of community restitution

    A first street racing conviction under Justin Nunes' Law brings up to one year in jail, a fine of $500 to $1,000, and 10 to 60 hours of community restitution.

  27. 27. How should your following distance change in heavy rain?

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    Answer D: It should be increased well beyond what you use on dry pavement

    Wet pavement lengthens stopping distance and rain cuts visibility at the same time, so a larger gap gives you the extra seconds needed to see a problem and stop for it.

  28. 28. You are approaching a multilane roundabout. When should you choose your lane?

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    Answer C: Before you enter, using the lane-choice sign on the approach

    You select your lane on the approach the way you would at any multilane intersection, then stay in that lane all the way around, because changing lanes inside a roundabout creates side-impact conflicts.

  29. 29. About how far behind a tractor-trailer does the driver's rear blind spot reach?

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    Answer C: Around 30 feet

    The area behind a large truck is hidden for roughly 30 feet, so a driver tucked in there cannot be seen at all.

  30. 30. You receive a phone call that you feel you must answer while driving. What is the safest way to take it?

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    Answer D: Pull off the road, stop in a safe place and then answer

    No call is worth a crash. Stopping in a safe location removes the distraction completely, while every other option divides your attention.

  31. 31. Which of these does NOT affect how fast alcohol reaches the bloodstream?

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    Answer A: How confident the drinker feels

    Food, the strength of the drinks and the speed of drinking all change how fast alcohol is absorbed, but a drinker's confidence changes nothing at all.

  32. 32. You are circulating in a roundabout and a vehicle is waiting to enter ahead of you. What should you do?

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    Answer D: Keep going, because circulating traffic does not stop for entering vehicles

    Stopping in the circle to be polite surprises the drivers behind you and defeats the design; entering traffic is the side that waits.

  33. 33. Who may be issued a Rhode Island Limited Instruction Permit?

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    Answer D: A resident who is 16 but under 18 and has completed the required driver education course

    The Limited Instruction Permit is for Rhode Island residents aged 16 to under 18 who have completed the certified driver education course and passed the computerized knowledge exam.

  34. 34. When must a new vehicle in Rhode Island undergo its first required inspection?

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    Answer B: Before it turns 24 months old or reaches 24,000 miles, whichever comes first

    A new vehicle's first inspection is due before it reaches 24 months old or 24,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

  35. 35. Heavy rain has left standing water on the road where this sign is posted. What does the law expect of the driver?

    A white vertical rectangle with a black border and black legend
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    Answer C: Driving below the posted figure, at a speed that suits the conditions

    Drivers must adapt to conditions, so in rain, fog, snow or dense traffic the safe speed falls below the posted maximum and keeping to that maximum can itself be an offense.

  36. 36. When must a Rhode Island driver involved in a crash send a written report to the Division of Motor Vehicles under General Law 31-26-6?

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    Answer D: Within 21 days, if the crash involves an injury or death, or damages any one person's property by more than 1000 dollars

    General Law 31-26-6 requires a written report to the DMV within 21 days when a crash causes injury or death, or damages any one person's property by more than $1,000.

  37. 37. Does this sign settle who has the right-of-way at the intersection ahead?

    A yellow diamond showing a black cross
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    Answer D: No, it only gives notice of the intersection; the control there decides priority

    A warning prepares the driver for what is coming but grants no priority, so whatever stop control, yield control, signal or right-of-way rule applies at the intersection is what decides.

  38. 38. An ambulance has just gone by and traffic starts to move again. Why should you wait a moment before pulling back out?

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    Answer B: Another emergency vehicle may be following the first one

    Emergency calls often bring several vehicles, so check that nothing else is coming before you rejoin the traffic lane.

  39. 39. On a rural road, the driver of a slow farm tractor ahead of you signals a left turn even though there is no road or driveway in sight. What should you do?

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    Answer B: Stay behind the tractor, because it may be turning into a field entrance

    Farm equipment often turns into fields through gaps you cannot see, and it may swing wide to do so. Passing a vehicle that is signaling a left turn is a common cause of crashes.

  40. 40. The vehicle you have borrowed is larger and heavier than your own. How should you drive it?

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    Answer B: Allow more room for stopping and for turns until you are used to it

    Extra weight and length mean longer stopping distances and wider turns, so give yourself more room until you are used to it.