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Rhode Island driving lesson · Laws You Must Know

Phone & Texting Penalties

A 2-minute lesson from the Rhode Island course. Read the rules and examples, follow the handbook page references, and check your understanding before you move on.

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Read time
2 minutes
Course unit
Laws You Must Know
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
36, 37, 59

Rhode Island punishes phone use with fines that climb with each offense. Minors face the harshest outcome: by the third offense they lose their license until age 18. Texting penalties apply to everyone.

Know the rule

Drivers under 18 may not use a cell phone while driving, including hands-free or speakerphone—except to call 911 in an emergency after pulling to a safe location.

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Know the rule

No driver of any age may compose, read or send text messages while operating a motor vehicle (R.I.G.L. 31-22-30).

Handbook p. 37 ↗

Penalties by offense

Penalties by offense
OffenseMinor using a cell phoneTexting (any age)
First$100$100
Second$150$150
Third and later$250 + license lost until 18$250
Handbook p. 37 ↗
$250

Third and subsequent offense fine for either violation

Handbook p. 37 ↗

Know the rule

A minor is subject to the cell phone penalties after being found in violation following a court appearance.

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Know the rule

The fine schedule lists wireless communication device use by minors (31-22-11.9) at $100.

Handbook p. 59 ↗

Know the rule

Hands-free, Bluetooth or speaker devices are not risk free.

Handbook p. 36 ↗

Put it into practice

A 17-year-old already fined twice for phone use is caught a third time. The fine is $250 and she loses her license until she turns 18. An adult caught texting a third time pays $250.

Check your understanding

Read the question, decide on an answer, then open it to check the explanation. These are Roadwise study questions based on the source handbook.

What is the fine for a second texting-while-driving violation?
  1. $150
  2. $100
  3. $250
  4. $85

Answer: $150

A second texting violation carries a $150 fine, up from $100 for the first offense.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
For a minor's cell phone violations, what happens on the third and subsequent offense?
  1. $150 fine and a warning letter
  2. $250 fine plus loss of license until age 18
  3. Mandatory 6-month suspension only
  4. No additional penalty beyond the second offense fine amount

Answer: $250 fine plus loss of license until age 18

A minor's third and subsequent cell phone violation results in a $250 fine plus loss of license until age 18.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
Under which RIGL sections is the minor cell phone ban established?
  1. 31-15-3 and 31-15-4
  2. 31-19-6 only
  3. 31-22-11.8, 31-22-11.9, 31-22-30, and 31-22-31
  4. 31-26-1 and 31-26-2

Answer: 31-22-11.8, 31-22-11.9, 31-22-30, and 31-22-31

The minor wireless device ban is established under RIGL 31-22-11.8, 31-22-11.9, 31-22-30, and 31-22-31.

Handbook p. 36 ↗
True or False: A first-time cell phone violation by a minor carries the same fine as a first-time texting violation for any driver.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Both the first minor cell phone violation and the first texting violation for any driver carry a $100 fine.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
True or False: Under Rhode Island's texting law, a first offense carries a $150 fine.
  1. True
  2. False

Answer: False

A first texting offense is a $100 fine; $150 is the second-offense fine, and $250 applies to third and later offenses.

Handbook p. 37 ↗
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