Rhode Island: Seat belts and child safety Practice Test
Rhode Island’s safety belt and child restraint law, rear-facing and booster seats, and air bags.
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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 27 questions in this practice test
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According to the Governor's message, what is the single most effective step you can take to protect yourself in a crash?
- Obeying the speed limit
- Avoiding drowsy driving
- Wearing your seat belt
- Driving only in daylight
Show answer
Correct answer: Wearing your seat belt
The Governor's message calls the seat belt the single most effective step for protecting yourself in a crash.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 2
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According to the Governor's message, how should children be fastened in the vehicle?
- In a lap belt only, whatever their size
- In the front seat to be watched by the driver
- In any seat, if they hold on firmly
- Securely in the appropriate car seat for their size
Show answer
Correct answer: Securely in the appropriate car seat for their size
The message asks drivers to make sure children are securely fastened in a car seat that fits their size.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 2
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According to the DOT Director's message, a good driver only allows which passengers in the vehicle?
- Passengers over 18 years old
- Passengers who are wearing seat belts
- Passengers from the same household
- Passengers sitting in the front seat
Show answer
Correct answer: Passengers who are wearing seat belts
The message says a good driver always wears a seat belt and only allows passengers who are buckled up.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 6
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A holder of a Limited Learner Permit may be excused from wearing a safety belt only if the holder provides the DMV with what?
- A written note from a parent saying a safety belt cannot be worn
- A note from the supervising driver saying a safety belt is unnecessary
- A physician's letter saying a safety belt cannot be worn for medical reasons
- A certificate of completion of the driver education class
Show answer
Correct answer: A physician's letter saying a safety belt cannot be worn for medical reasons
Only a physician's letter stating a medical reason excuses a permit holder from wearing a safety belt.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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While a Limited Learner Permit holder practices driving, which passengers must wear a safety belt or be in a child restraint system?
- Only passengers in the front seat
- All passengers
- Only passengers under 18
- Only the supervising driver
Show answer
Correct answer: All passengers
Every passenger must be belted or in a child restraint system as the law requires.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 11
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In Rhode Island, the Seat Belt Use Law is a primary law for all ages. What does that mean?
- You can be ticketed for it only after being stopped for another violation
- Only drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seat belts
- Only occupants under age 18 can be ticketed
- You can be pulled over if anyone is unbuckled
Show answer
Correct answer: You can be pulled over if anyone is unbuckled
A primary law means an officer can stop you just because someone in the vehicle is not buckled.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 26
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Under the Rhode Island Safety Belt Use Law, who is responsible for compliance with the safety belt requirements for the vehicle's occupants?
- Each passenger alone
- The vehicle operator
- The owner of the vehicle
- The front-seat passenger
Show answer
Correct answer: The vehicle operator
The law makes the vehicle operator responsible for compliance with the safety belt sections.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 26
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How does the Rhode Island Child Restraint Law require a child under age 8, under 57 inches tall and under 80 pounds, to be transported?
- In the front passenger seat, in a child restraint system approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation
- In any rear seating position, wearing only the adult lap belt
- In any rear seating position, in a child restraint system approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation
- In any seating position, held by an adult wearing a safety belt
Show answer
Correct answer: In any rear seating position, in a child restraint system approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation
The law requires such a child to ride in a rear seating position in an approved child restraint system.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 26
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What must the operator ensure for a passenger who has reached age 8 but is under age 18?
- The passenger is seated in the front seat
- The passenger is in a child restraint system approved under Federal Standard 213
- The passenger is properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness
- The passenger wears a belt only while sitting in a front seat
Show answer
Correct answer: The passenger is properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness
Children from age 8 up to 18 must properly wear a safety belt and/or shoulder harness in any seating position, and the operator must ensure it.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 26
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Children under age 8 are exempt from riding in a rear seating position when:
- the vehicle has no backseat, such as a pickup truck or sports car
- the trip is shorter than five miles
- the child is asleep in a car seat
- the child's parent is sitting beside the child in front
Show answer
Correct answer: the vehicle has no backseat, such as a pickup truck or sports car
One exception to the rear-seat rule is a vehicle with no backseat.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 26
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What is the fine, after a violation is sustained, for a child riding in the front seat or a child over age 7 not in a child restraint system?
- $55.00
- $85.00
- $100.00
- $150.00
Show answer
Correct answer: $85.00
The manual states an $85.00 fine for these child restraint violations.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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What does a violation for transporting a child not in a child restraint system mandate?
- A court appearance
- A six-month loss of license
- A mandatory driver improvement course
- A written warning only
Show answer
Correct answer: A court appearance
The manual says this violation requires a court appearance.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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How should an infant ride, according to the manual's booster seat, safety seat and safety belt section?
- In a forward-facing car seat in the back seat
- In a booster seat in the back seat
- In a rear-facing car seat in the back seat
- In a rear-facing car seat in the front seat
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Correct answer: In a rear-facing car seat in the back seat
Infants use a rear-facing only and/or convertible car seat, and back seats only.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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A child is still under 2 years of age and under 30 pounds. How must the child ride?
- In a forward-facing convertible car seat
- Remain rear facing
- In a booster seat
- Wearing a lap/shoulder seat belt
Show answer
Correct answer: Remain rear facing
A child who is under 2 years old and under 30 pounds must remain rear facing.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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How long does the manual recommend a toddler stay rear facing?
- Until the child reaches 40 pounds
- Until the child turns 3 years old
- Until the child can sit up alone
- As long as possible
Show answer
Correct answer: As long as possible
The manual recommends that a toddler stay rear facing as long as possible.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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Which restraint does the manual list for children under eight years of age who are under 57 inches tall and under 80 pounds?
- A rear-facing infant seat, in the front seat
- An adult lap/shoulder belt alone, in any seat
- A forward-facing convertible seat, in the front seat
- A booster seat or safety harness, in the back seat
Show answer
Correct answer: A booster seat or safety harness, in the back seat
Children under eight who are under 57 inches and under 80 pounds use a booster seat or safety harness, in the back seats only.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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With what must a booster seat be used?
- A lap belt with no shoulder strap
- A lap/shoulder harness system
- A top tether used on its own
- The vehicle's airbag switched off
Show answer
Correct answer: A lap/shoulder harness system
The manual stresses that booster seats must be used with a lap/shoulder harness system.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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According to the manual, most children need a booster seat from which ages?
- From age two until the child is six years old
- From birth until the child is at least two years old
- From age four to at least between ages eight and twelve
- From age six until the child turns ten years old
Show answer
Correct answer: From age four to at least between ages eight and twelve
The manual says most children need a booster from age four, until at least somewhere between ages eight and twelve.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the five-step seat belt fit test, where should the lap belt sit?
- On the upper thighs across the hip bones
- Low across the stomach, above the hips
- Across the lower back and the belly
- Across the knees and the lower thighs
Show answer
Correct answer: On the upper thighs across the hip bones
One test question is whether the lap belt lies on the upper thighs across the hip bones.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the five-step seat belt fit test, where should the shoulder belt come down?
- Across the neck and over the top of the upper arm
- Under the arm and across the stomach and lower ribs
- Over the collar bone and across the center of the chest
- Across the shoulder blade and down along the ribs
Show answer
Correct answer: Over the collar bone and across the center of the chest
The shoulder belt should lie over the collar bone and across the center of the chest.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the five-step seat belt fit test, where should the child's knees bend?
- At the edge of the vehicle seat
- Against the back of the front seat
- Halfway down the seat cushion
- Over the center console
Show answer
Correct answer: At the edge of the vehicle seat
The child's knees should bend at the edge of the vehicle seat.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the five-step seat belt fit test, where should the child's lower back be?
- Slightly away from the seat back
- Leaning forward toward the front seat
- Against the door armrest
- All the way against the vehicle seat
Show answer
Correct answer: All the way against the vehicle seat
The test asks whether the child's lower back is all the way against the vehicle seat.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the five-step seat belt fit test, how long must the child be able to stay seated properly?
- For the first 15 minutes
- For the entire trip
- Until the first stop
- For at least one hour
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Correct answer: For the entire trip
The last test question asks whether the child can stay seated correctly for the entire trip.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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If your answer to any of the five-step seat belt fit test questions is 'no', what does your child need?
- A booster seat to ride safely
- A rear-facing car seat
- To ride in the front seat
- Nothing more, because the child is over age 4
Show answer
Correct answer: A booster seat to ride safely
A 'no' to any of the questions means the child needs a booster seat.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 27
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In the list of laws you must know, who is required to use a seat belt?
- Only the driver
- Only the driver and front-seat passengers
- Only passengers under 18 years old
- The driver and the passengers
Show answer
Correct answer: The driver and the passengers
The list of laws states that seat belt use is required for the driver and for the passengers.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 58
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How do airbags relate to safety belts, according to the manual?
- Airbags supplement safety belts
- Airbags replace safety belts
- Airbags make safety belts unnecessary
- Airbags work only when belts are unfastened
Show answer
Correct answer: Airbags supplement safety belts
The manual says airbags supplement safety belts and can save lives when combined with shoulder and lap belts.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 68
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Why does the manual say some motorists may have to move their seats back?
- To reach the pedals more easily when driving
- To see through the rear window more clearly
- To establish a safety zone from a deployed airbag
- To make room for a child seat in the front
Show answer
Correct answer: To establish a safety zone from a deployed airbag
The manual says some drivers may need to move the seat back to keep a safety zone from a deployed airbag.
Source: Rhode Island Driver’s Manual (April 2024), page 68