Rhode Island driver handbook guide
Rhode Island driver handbook guide.
Use this guide to navigate the 20 chapters in the handbook edition behind Roadwise’s Rhode Island course. Read the source, look up a rule in the study app, or work through 60 companion lessons.
- Handbook chapters
- 20
- Source PDF pages
- 87
- Companion lessons
- 60
- Licensing agency
- DMV
A way through the handbook
Start with the application and licensing material that applies to your age and license type. Then work through the driving rules, signs, and safe-driving chapters. A rule is easier to remember when you can explain what it asks you to do in a real road situation.
For a quick refresher, use the chapter list below. For a deeper study session, follow a companion lesson and its checkpoint questions. The page numbers refer to this course’s source edition and may differ from the newest agency edition.
Chapter list
- Introduction Source p. 1
- Applying for a Rhode Island Driver's License Source p. 10
- Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions Source p. 17
- Basic Driving Skills and Safety Rules Source p. 26
- Signals and Roadway Markings Source p. 38
- Driving Emergencies Source p. 43
- Motorcycles Source p. 48
- Systems for Safe, Courteous and Defensive Driving Source p. 50
- Sharing the Road Safely Source p. 52
- Laws You Must Know Source p. 58
- Drinking, Drugs and Driving Source p. 60
- In Case of a Collision Source p. 65
- When Stopped by a Law Enforcement Officer Source p. 67
- Equipment You Must Inspect Source p. 68
- Organ and Tissue Donor Program Source p. 69
- Passing Your Driver Skills Test Source p. 70
- Appendices Source p. 72
- Identification Requirements and Acceptable Documents Source p. 76
- Regulatory and Guide Signs Source p. 85
- Warning Signs Source p. 86
What you will find in each chapter
Chapter 1 · source p. 1
Introduction
This chapter’s sections include:
- A Message From The Governor
- Saying “Yes” can save a life!
- Rhode Island Litter Free?
- Message To The Reader
- Please Note
- A Message From The Dot Director
- A Message From The Dmv Administrator
- – it really can wait!
Chapter 2 · source p. 10
Applying for a Rhode Island Driver's License
This chapter’s sections include:
- License
- Before Getting a Limited Learner Permit
- Who must take the knowledge exam?
- How do I prepare for the knowledge exam?
- How do I get my Limited Learner Permit?
- How long is a Limited Learner Permit valid?
- When can I get a Learner Provisional License?
- What is the driving skills test?
- What is covered on the driving skills test?
- Who must take the driving skills test?
- Preparing for the Driving Skills Test
- Document Requirements For The Driving Skills Test
- Vehicle Requirements For The Driving Skills Test
- What if I fail the driving skills test?
- When can I get my Full Operator’s License?
- What is the fee for a driver’s license?
- Summary: Rhode Island’s Graduated Licensing System
- Out-of-State Drivers: Obtaining a Rhode Island Driver’s License
Chapter 3 · source p. 17
Distractions, Drowsiness and Emotions
This chapter’s sections include:
- Distracted Driving
- Preventing and Managing Distractions
- Drowsy Driving
- Who is at risk?
- Emotions
- Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
- Guidelines to Controlling Emotions
- Preventing Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
- Responding to Aggressive Driving and Road Rage
Chapter 4 · source p. 26
Basic Driving Skills and Safety Rules
This chapter’s sections include:
- Before Starting The Engine
- Rhode Island Safety Belt/Child Restraint Law
- 6. Does your child need a booster seat?
- Stopping Your Vehicle
- How To Turn
- Turnabouts
- Stopping
- Four-Way Stops
- Starting on a Hill
- 1. Is the lane clear?
- Entering the Roadway from a Private Road or Driveway
- Passing Another Vehicle
- 3. Is Passing Worth it?
- Proper Backing Procedures
- Freeway/Highway Driving Limited Access Highway
- Safe Driving on the Highway
- Cellular Phone Usage – Personal Wireless Communications Devices
- Texting While Driving Is Forbidden In The State Of Rhode Island!
- Third and subsequent offences
- Texting Penalties
Chapter 5 · source p. 38
Signals and Roadway Markings
This chapter’s sections include:
- Signals
- Roadway Markings
- C = Center Island
- Pavement Painting Sign Panel
- Solid Red Light
- Solid Yellow Light
- Solid Green Light
- RED, YELLOW and
- Flashing Red Signal
- Flashing Yellow Signal
Chapter 6 · source p. 43
Driving Emergencies
This chapter’s sections include:
- V. Driving Emergencies
- How to Avoid Skidding
- How to Control a Vehicle in a Skid
- Total Brake Failure
- Blowout or Flat Tire
- Stuck Accelerator Pedal
- Engine Failure
- Off Road Recovery
- Threat of a Head-on Collision
- Threat of a Side-Impact Collision
- Threat of a Rear-End Collision
- Headlight Failure
- Vehicle Stalls on Railroad Tracks
- Vehicle Catches Fire
- Vehicle in Water
- Winter Driving
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
- Never Drive In The Rain Or Snow With Your Cruise Control On.
Chapter 7 · source p. 48
Motorcycles
This chapter’s sections include:
- VI. Motorcycles
Chapter 8 · source p. 50
Systems for Safe, Courteous and Defensive Driving
This chapter’s sections include:
- Defensive Driving
- Think!
- Think! The Three (3) Second Rule – Following Distance
- Point of no Return
- Lane Positions
Chapter 9 · source p. 52
Sharing the Road Safely
This chapter’s sections include:
- Sharing The Road With Large Trucks
- Using your headlights
- Dimming your headlights: 500/200 Rule of Dimming Headlights
- Approaching headlights
- Pedestrians
- Pedestrians with a Visual Impairment
- School Buses
- Bicycle Riders
- Share the Road with Bicyclists
- Shared Lane Markings
- Driving on Roads with Bicycle Lanes
- Watching for Children on Bicycles
- Dooring
- Aggressive Driving
Chapter 10 · source p. 58
Laws You Must Know
This chapter’s sections include:
- IX. Laws You Must Know
- Common Motor Vehicle Violations – Fine Schedule
- Fine
Chapter 11 · source p. 60
Drinking, Drugs and Driving
This chapter’s sections include:
- A. Effects of Alcohol and Other Drugs on the Body
- B. Blood Alcohol Concentration
- C. Implied Consent
- D. Refusal to Take the Breathalyzer Test
- 1st Violation
- 2nd Violation (within a 5 year period)
- It Is Against The Law For A Driver Of Any Age To Consume An
- 2nd Violation
- 3rd or Subsequent Violation
- 2nd or subsequent violation
- 1st violation
- 2nd violation
- 1st violation – Misdemeanor
- 2nd violation (within a 5-year period) – Misdemeanor
- BAC: 0.08% - 0.15% (or unknown)
- BAC: 0.15% or above
- 1st violation – Felony
- 2nd violation (within a 5-year period) – Felony
Chapter 12 · source p. 65
In Case of a Collision
This chapter’s sections include:
- What to do After a Collision
- What to Report if you Have a Collision
- Common Causes of Collisions
- Violations Resulting from a Collision
Chapter 13 · source p. 67
When Stopped by a Law Enforcement Officer
This chapter’s sections include:
- Officer
- Gen. Laws § 31-21.2
Chapter 14 · source p. 68
Equipment You Must Inspect
This chapter’s sections include:
- XIII. Equipment You Must Inspect!
Chapter 15 · source p. 69
Organ and Tissue Donor Program
This chapter’s sections include:
- XIV. Organ and Tissue Donor Program
Chapter 16 · source p. 70
Passing Your Driver Skills Test
This chapter’s sections include:
- XV. Passing Your Driver Skills Test
Chapter 17 · source p. 72
Appendices
This chapter’s sections include:
- Miscellaneous Motor Vehicle Laws
- Construction and Work Zone Safety Requirements
- Directions to CCRI
- Duplicate/Replacement Certificates
- Online Services
- Subscriber Services
- Renewing Your Driver’S License
Chapter 18 · source p. 76
Identification Requirements and Acceptable Documents
This chapter’s sections include:
- Address Change
- Name Change
- Lost Or Damaged Licenses
- Acceptable Documents
- Original Documents Only – No Photocopies
- Real ID Proof of Residency Documents List
- Drivers’ Privilege Card/Permit - Proof of Identity Documents
- Proof of Taxation
- Driver Privilege Card/Permit - Primary Identity Documents
- Driver Privilege Card/Permit Secondary Identity Documents
- Drivers’ Privilege Card/Permit - Proof of Residency
- Social Security Number
- Rhode Island License Examples
- Office Addresses
- Warren
Chapter 19 · source p. 85
Regulatory and Guide Signs
This chapter’s sections include:
- Regulatory Signs
- Guide Signs
Chapter 20 · source p. 86
Warning Signs
Read this chapter in the study app to see its complete text, source page references, and any accompanying illustrations.
Open this handbook chapterTurn the reading into a study routine
The Rhode Island course groups the source material into 12 units. Each lesson includes handbook page references, examples, and a checkpoint in the study app.
Unit 1 · 7 lessons
Getting Your License
GDL permits, provisional & full license
Unit 2 · 7 lessons
Distraction, Drowsiness & Emotions
Staying focused behind the wheel
Unit 3 · 8 lessons
Basic Driving Skills & Safety Rules
Seat belts, stopping, turning, parking
Unit 4 · 5 lessons
Signals & Roadway Markings
Lines, roundabouts, traffic lights
Unit 5 · 5 lessons
Driving Emergencies
Skids, breakdowns, and hazards
Unit 6 · 2 lessons
Motorcycles
Sharing the road with riders
Unit 7 · 3 lessons
Defensive Driving Systems
IPDE, zones, following distance
Unit 8 · 7 lessons
Sharing the Road Safely
Trucks, night driving, pedestrians, buses, bikes
Unit 9 · 3 lessons
Laws You Must Know
Key statutes & fines
Unit 10 · 5 lessons
Drinking, Drugs & Driving
BAC limits, implied consent, penalties
Unit 11 · 3 lessons
Collisions & Law Enforcement Stops
After a crash, and traffic stops
Unit 12 · 5 lessons
Vehicle Equipment & Signs
Required equipment, work zones and signs