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Rhode Island driving lesson · Drinking, Drugs & Driving

Underage DWI/DUI & Alcohol Laws

A 3-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
3 minutes
Course unit
Drinking, Drugs & Driving
Checkpoint questions
5
Source pages
62, 64

Young drivers face special penalties: a lower BAC limit, license suspensions that can last until age 21, and separate laws about simply having alcohol in the car or in your possession.

Under 18: DWI (BAC 0.02%–0.08%)

Under 18: DWI (BAC 0.02%–0.08%)
ViolationLicenseOther
1st6–12 month suspension$150 highway safety assessment or restitution
2ndSuspended until age 21$150 assessment or community restitution
3rd or laterAdditional 2-year suspension$150 assessment or community restitution
Handbook p. 62 ↗

Under 18: DUI (BAC 0.08% or above)

Under 18: DUI (BAC 0.08% or above)
ViolationLicenseOther
1st6–18 month suspension$500 assessment; 10–60 hrs community service
2nd or laterSuspended until age 21Up to 1 yr incarceration and/or $500 fine
Handbook p. 62 ↗

Ages 18–21: DWI (BAC 0.02%–0.08%)

Ages 18–21: DWI (BAC 0.02%–0.08%)
ViolationLicenseOther
1st1–3 month suspension$250 fine; 30 hrs community service
2nd3–6 month suspension$250 fine; 60 hrs; $300 assessment
Handbook p. 62 ↗

Know the rule

Every underage DWI/DUI level also requires a special course on driving while intoxicated and alcohol/drug treatment (or education).

Handbook p. 62 ↗

Know the rule

R.I.G.L. 3-8-9: a driver under 21 who knowingly has alcohol in any container, opened or unopened, anywhere in the vehicle—unless with a parent or legal guardian—faces a suspension of up to 30 days.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

That rule doesn't apply to drivers 16 to 21 transporting unopened alcohol as part of their job.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Underage possession of alcohol (R.I.G.L. 3-8-10)

Underage possession of alcohol (R.I.G.L. 3-8-10)
OffenseFine
1st$150–$750
2nd$300–$750
3rd or later$450–$750
Handbook p. 64 ↗
60 days

Minimum license suspension for underage possession of alcohol

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Know the rule

Underage possession may also bring community service, and a second offense may bring a substance abuse assessment.

Handbook p. 64 ↗

Put it into practice

A 17-year-old caught with a BAC of 0.05% for the first time faces a 6–12 month suspension, a $150 highway safety assessment or community restitution, a DWI course and treatment. A second offense suspends the license until age 21.

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.

Under RIGL 3-8-10, what is the fine range for a first offense of underage possession of alcohol?
  1. $150 to $750
  2. $50 to $250
  3. $300 to $750
  4. $450 to $750

Answer: $150 to $750

A first offense of underage possession of alcohol carries a fine of $150 to $750 under RIGL 3-8-10.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
What minimum license suspension applies to underage possession of alcohol, per RIGL 3-8-10?
  1. A minimum of 6 months
  2. A minimum of 60 days
  3. A minimum of 30 days
  4. There is no license suspension

Answer: A minimum of 60 days

A violation of the underage possession law is subject to a minimum 60-day license suspension.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
Under RIGL 3-8-9, a driver under 21 without a parent or guardian knowingly has alcohol in the vehicle (not for a job). What can happen?
  1. Only a written warning is issued
  2. A mandatory 1-year license revocation
  3. Immediate seizure of the vehicle
  4. Their license may be suspended for up to 30 days

Answer: Their license may be suspended for up to 30 days

RIGL 3-8-9 allows license suspension of up to 30 days for an underage driver knowingly transporting alcohol without a parent or guardian present.

Handbook p. 64 ↗
A 17-year-old is convicted of a first DWI with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08%. What license suspension applies?
  1. 1 to 3 months
  2. 30 to 180 days
  3. 6 to 18 months
  4. 6 to 12 months

Answer: 6 to 12 months

For drivers under 18, a first DWI (BAC .02–.08) brings a 6–12 month license suspension.

Handbook p. 62 ↗
A 19-year-old's first DWI with a BAC between 0.02% and 0.08% brings what license suspension?
  1. 3 to 6 months
  2. 30 to 180 days
  3. 6 to 12 months
  4. 1 to 3 months

Answer: 1 to 3 months

For drivers 18–21, a first DWI (BAC .02–.08) brings a 1–3 month suspension, a $250 fine and 30 hours of community service.

Handbook p. 62 ↗
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