Rhode Island: Licensing basics — Before the Permit and the Limited Learner Permit Practice Test
Questions in this part include: “How many levels does Rhode Island's graduated licensing system for persons under 18 have?” · “How many proofs of Rhode Island residency must a Limited Learner Permit applicant show?”
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Questions are original and based on the official manual "Rhode Island Driver’s Manual" (April 2024), Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
All 22 questions in this practice test
Take the test above first, then use this list to study. Tap “Show answer” to see the correct answer and explanation.
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How many levels does Rhode Island's graduated licensing system for persons under 18 have?
- Three
- Two
- Four
- Five
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Correct answer: Three
The system has three levels: the learner instructional permit, the learner provisional license and the full operator's license.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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How many hours long is the accredited classroom driver education class that applicants aged 16 to 18 must pass before getting a Limited Learner Permit?
- 20 hours
- 25 hours
- 33 hours
- 40 hours
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Correct answer: 33 hours
Applicants between 16 and 18 must pass an accredited classroom driver education class of thirty-three hours.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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Besides the classroom driver education class, what must a 16- to 18-year-old pass before getting a Limited Learner Permit?
- A driving skills test given by a DMV examiner
- A computerized knowledge exam given by the DMV
- A written vehicle-inspection exam
- A road-sign recognition quiz given by CCRI
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Correct answer: A computerized knowledge exam given by the DMV
The second requirement, after the classroom class, is a computerized knowledge exam administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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What is required of an applicant over age 18 who wants a Rhode Island permit?
- The 33-hour classroom course, but the knowledge exam is waived
- Neither the classroom course nor the computerized knowledge exam
- Both the 33-hour classroom course and a driving skills test
- No classroom course is required, but the knowledge exam must be taken
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Correct answer: No classroom course is required, but the knowledge exam must be taken
People over 18 skip the classroom course but still have to take the computerized knowledge exam.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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What is the youngest age, on the first day of class, at which a person may register for a driver education class before turning 16?
- At least 15 years and 10 months old
- At least 15 years and 8 months old
- At least 15 years and 2 months old
- At least 15 years and 11 months old
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Correct answer: At least 15 years and 10 months old
A person may register for the class at 15, provided he or she will be at least fifteen years and ten months old on the first day of class.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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How many multiple-choice questions does the computerized knowledge exam have?
- 20
- 40
- 25
- 50
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Correct answer: 40
The computerized knowledge exam consists of forty multiple choice questions.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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What is the maximum time allowed for the computerized knowledge exam?
- 30 minutes
- 45 minutes
- 120 minutes
- 90 minutes
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Correct answer: 90 minutes
The computerized knowledge exam has a ninety-minute maximum.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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What is required before a first-time applicant takes the computerized knowledge exam at the main DMV office?
- An online reservation
- A notarized letter from a parent
- A certificate of 50 hours of supervised driving
- A signed letter from an insurance company
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Correct answer: An online reservation
First-time applicants must make an online reservation to take the computerized knowledge exam.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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What must you bring on the first day of a driver education class?
- A signed letter from your school principal
- Proof of 50 hours of practice driving
- Proof of identity and age
- A vision examination card
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Correct answer: Proof of identity and age
Students must bring proof of identity and age on the first day, and photocopies of these documents are not accepted.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 10
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On what are the computerized knowledge exam questions based?
- The hours of driving practice logged by the applicant
- The motor vehicle laws and the rules of the road
- Only the road sign charts at the back of the manual
- The workbook used in the driver education class
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Correct answer: The motor vehicle laws and the rules of the road
The exam draws on the state's motor vehicle laws and rules of the road, which is why applicants should study the manual.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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A Limited (Learner) Instructional Permit is a preliminary license for persons who have passed the computerized knowledge exam and are under what age?
- 16
- 17
- 21
- 18
Show answer
Correct answer: 18
The permit is for learners under eighteen who have passed the computerized knowledge exam.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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How many proofs of Rhode Island residency must a Limited Learner Permit applicant show?
- Two
- One
- Three
- Four
Show answer
Correct answer: Two
Permit applicants must show two proofs of Rhode Island residency.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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What does the manual say about the birth certificate, passport or other identification shown for a Limited Learner Permit?
- A photocopy is acceptable if a parent signs it
- A photocopy is acceptable if it is notarized
- Photocopies are not acceptable
- Photocopies are acceptable for the birth certificate only
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Correct answer: Photocopies are not acceptable
The identification documents shown for the permit must be originals, since photocopies are not acceptable.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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A parent who does not hold a valid Rhode Island license signs the permit application for a child under 18. Where must that parent sit during practice driving?
- In the front passenger seat
- In the back seat
- In the front seat, but only with a safety belt on
- In the seat the child chooses
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Correct answer: In the back seat
Such a parent can sign but does not qualify as a supervising driver, so he or she must ride in the back seat during practice driving.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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How long must a supervising driver have been licensed to drive?
- At least one year
- At least two years
- At least three years
- At least five years
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Correct answer: At least five years
A supervising driver must have been licensed for at least five years.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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What vision is the minimum required on the vision test for a Limited Learner Permit?
- At least 20/40 with corrected lenses
- At least 20/20 with corrected lenses
- At least 20/30 with corrected lenses
- At least 20/40 without any lenses
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Correct answer: At least 20/40 with corrected lenses
The required vision is at least 20/40 with corrected lenses.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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If you normally wear contact lenses or corrective lenses to see at a distance, what must you do at the time of your vision test?
- Take them off so your natural vision is measured
- Bring them but leave them in a bag
- Wear them
- Wear them only if your vision is below 20/40
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Correct answer: Wear them
Applicants who normally wear lenses to see at a distance must have them on during the vision test.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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Who must sign the Vision Examination Card that can be submitted in place of the DMV vision test?
- A driving school instructor or CCRI teacher
- An ophthalmologist or optometrist
- A parent, legal guardian or foster parent
- A police officer or DMV examiner
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Correct answer: An ophthalmologist or optometrist
The card is accepted when it is signed by an ophthalmologist or an optometrist.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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Who is legally responsible for any driving violation committed by the holder of a Limited Learner Permit?
- The registered owner of the vehicle
- The DMV examiner who issued the permit
- The permit holder alone
- The licensed supervising driver
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Correct answer: The licensed supervising driver
The licensed driver supervising the permit holder carries the legal responsibility for violations the permit holder commits.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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Where must the licensed driver sit while a Limited Learner Permit holder is driving?
- Beside you at all times, ready to take control of the vehicle in an emergency
- In the rear seat at all times, ready to give directions to the driver
- Beside you, but only after dark or in bad weather, ready to take control
- In any seat of the vehicle, as long as a safety belt is fastened
Show answer
Correct answer: Beside you at all times, ready to take control of the vehicle in an emergency
The supervising driver must sit beside the permit holder at all times and be ready to take over in an emergency.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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Under a Limited Learner Permit, who may be in the front seat of the automobile with the permit holder?
- Any passenger over 21
- One other passenger
- Any adult family member
- Only the supervising driver
Show answer
Correct answer: Only the supervising driver
Only the supervising driver may be in the front seat when driving on a Limited Learner Permit.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 15
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Under a Limited Learner Permit, what must the permit holder have while driving?
- The permit in his or her possession
- A parent's signed note in the vehicle
- A copy of the driver education certificate
- The supervising driver's insurance card
Show answer
Correct answer: The permit in his or her possession
The permit holder must have the permit in possession when driving.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 15