Rhode Island driving law, answered

How far from a fire hydrant must you park?

You may not park or stop within 8 feet of a fire hydrant. Fire crews need room to hook a hose to the hydrant fast.

Within 8 feet of a fire hydrant.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far from a crosswalk at an intersection must you park?

You may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. A car parked at the corner hides people about to step into the crosswalk.

Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

As of 14 Sep 2026

May you park in or near an intersection?

You may not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection. A car parked at the corner hides people about to step into the crosswalk.

Within 20 feet of a crosswalk at an intersection.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far from a stop sign or traffic signal must you park?

You may not park within 30 feet of a flashing red or yellow light, a stop sign, or a traffic light. A parked van in front of a stop sign hides it from drivers coming up.

Within 30 feet of a flashing red or yellow light, a stop sign, or a traffic light.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far from a railroad crossing must you park?

You may not park within 50 feet of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing, except briefly to load or unload passengers or packages. A car parked near the tracks blocks the view of a train for drivers about to cross.

Within 50 feet of the nearest rail or a railroad crossing unless you stop for just a short time to load or unload passengers or packages.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far from a fire station driveway must you park?

Where signs are posted, you may not park within 20 feet of a fire station driveway, or within 75 feet of it across the street. A fire truck swinging out of the station needs the whole street clear.

Within 20 feet of the driveway of a fire station or across the street within 75 feet of the driveway, where there are signs.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How close to the curb must you park?

On a two-lane road, a parked car's right wheels must be no more than 12 inches from the right side of the road or curb. A car parked far from the curb sticks out into the lane.

Unless a law prohibits parking, a vehicle parked on a two-lane road must have the right wheels a maximum of twelve (12) inches from the right side of the road or curb.

As of 14 Sep 2026

When must you stop for a school bus with flashing red lights?

When a school bus has its red lights flashing, motorists approaching from either direction must come to a full stop and stay stopped until the red lights stop flashing. A child crossing in front of the bus steps into the lane of a car that kept rolling.

If red lights are flashing on the school bus, Rhode Island requires that motorists approaching from either direction come to a full stop and remain stopped until the bus’s red lights no longer flash.

As of 14 Sep 2026

What must you do when passing a stopped emergency vehicle with flashing lights?

(1) Move the vehicle into a lane that is not the lane nearest the parked or standing authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing maintenance operations), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle and continue traveling in that lane until safely clear of the authorized highway maintenance equipment displaying flashing lights (while performing maintenance operations), tow truck, transporter trucks, roadside assistance vehicles, emergency vehicle, or nonemergency vehicle. This paragraph applies only if the roadway has at least two (2) lanes for traffic proceeding in the direction of the approaching vehicle and if the approaching vehicle may change lanes safely and without interfering with any vehicular traffic; or

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-3(b)(1)

As of 8 Oct 2026

How far behind a fire truck answering an alarm may you follow?

Rhode Island tells drivers to stay 500 feet behind emergency vehicles. A fire truck can stop hard at a scene, and a car right behind it has no room.

Always drive 500 feet behind emergency vehicles.

As of 14 Sep 2026

When must you turn on your headlights?

Headlights must be on any time you cannot see 500 feet ahead of you. In fog or heavy rain a car with no lights can be hidden until it is too close to avoid.

The law requires motorists to turn their headlights on when driving from sunset to sunrise, any time you cannot see 500 feet ahead of you, and when windshield wipers are in use as a result of rain, sleet, snow, etc.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far from an oncoming vehicle must you dim your high beams?

Dim your high beams when you are at least 500 feet from an oncoming vehicle. High beams at close range blind the oncoming driver, who may drift across the center line.

Dim your high beam headlights promptly at a distance of at least 500 feet ahead when approaching another vehicle.

As of 14 Sep 2026

Who must wear a seat belt?

The driver must make sure every passenger 18 or older is wearing a safety belt, in any seat in the car. An adult in the back seat with no belt is thrown forward into the people in front in a crash.

Any operator of a motor vehicle transporting a person eighteen (18) years of age and older in any seating position of a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets or highways of this state shall ensure that the person be properly wearing a safety belt and/or shoulder harness system, as defined by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 208.

As of 14 Sep 2026

When must a child ride in a car seat?

A child under 8 who is under 57 inches and under 80 pounds must ride in a rear seat in a federally approved child restraint system. An adult belt rides across a small child's neck and belly and can hurt them in a crash.

Any person transporting a child under the age of eight (8), less than fifty-seven (57) inches (4 ½ feet tall) in height and less than eighty (80) pounds in a motor vehicle operated on the roadways, streets, or highways of this state, shall transport the child in any rear seating position of the motor vehicle properly restrained in a child restraint system approved by the United States Department of Transportation under Federal Standard 213.

As of 14 Sep 2026

What is the legal blood alcohol limit for adult drivers?

In Rhode Island, a driver of any age with a BAC of .08% or more is intoxicated and charged with Driving Under the Influence (DUI). A driver at .08% has lost enough judgment and reaction time to be a real danger on the road.

Any person of any age with a BAC of .08% or more is intoxicated and will be charged with drunk driving – Driving Under the Influence (DUI).

As of 14 Sep 2026

What is the blood alcohol limit for drivers under 21?

A Rhode Island driver under 21 is impaired at a BAC of .02%. A young driver who has had even one drink can be over the limit for his age.

Any person under the age of twenty-one (21) with a BAC of .02% but less than .08% is impaired and will be charged with Driving While Impaired (DWI).

As of 14 Sep 2026

What happens if you refuse a breath or blood alcohol test?

If you refuse a chemical test in Rhode Island, your license is suspended for a minimum of 6 months. Refusing the test does not save a license; it costs at least half a year of driving.

If you refuse to take a chemical test, your license will be suspended for a minimum of six months.

As of 14 Sep 2026

May you use a handheld phone while driving?

(b)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, no person shall operate a motor vehicle while using a hand-held personal wireless communication device to engage in a call while such vehicle is in motion.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-31(b)

As of 8 Oct 2026

May you text while driving?

No matter your age, Rhode Island forbids writing, reading or sending a text message while driving. Texting takes both your eyes and a hand off the job of driving.

No matter the age, you are NOT allowed to use a wireless handset to compose, read or send text message while operating a motor vehicle, as stated by Rhode Island General Law § 31-22-30.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How far before a turn must you signal?

Rhode Island requires a hand or turn signal at least 100 feet before making a turn. A signal given as you turn gives the driver behind no time to slow down.

The Rhode Island law states that a driver must make a signal by hand or by using directional lights when driving out of a parking space and at least 100 feet at a minimum before making a turn.

As of 14 Sep 2026

May you turn right on a red light?

Unless a sign prohibits it, you may turn right on a steady red light after a complete stop and yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles. A driver who rolls through a right on red hits the person in the crosswalk.

Right Turn on Red: Except when a sign is placed prohibiting a right turn on red, vehicles may turn right on a steady red light after the driver has stopped completely and yielded the right-of-way to pedestrians and other vehicles.

As of 14 Sep 2026

Where are U-turns not allowed?

No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve or upon the approach to, or near the crest of a grade, where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within five hundred feet (500′). Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-4

As of 8 Oct 2026

What is the speed limit on a residential street when no sign is posted?

Rhode Island law sets the speed limit at 25 mph in residential areas. Children and pets dart into streets near homes, and slower cars can stop in time.

Rhode Island law sets speed limits as follows: 25 miles per hour (mph) in residential areas and 50-65 mph on most highways.

As of 14 Sep 2026

When may you pass another vehicle on the right?

You may pass on the right when the vehicle ahead is making or about to make a left turn. A car stopped to turn left would block the whole road if no one could go around it.

A driver may pass on the right of another vehicle only as follows:

As of 14 Sep 2026

May you wear headphones while driving?

(a) No person shall operate a bicycle or motor vehicle upon any highway while wearing earphones, a headset, headphone, or other listening device. Any person who violates this section shall be fined: (1) one hundred dollars ($100) for the first offense, (2) one hundred ten dollars ($110) for the second offense, and (3) one hundred forty dollars ($140) for the third and each subsequent offense.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-51(a)

As of 8 Oct 2026

May you have an open container of alcohol in the car?

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle upon the public highways with any unsealed alcoholic beverage container within the passenger section of the vehicle.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-21.1(a)

As of 8 Oct 2026

How old must you be to get a learner's permit?

In Rhode Island you cannot get a limited learner permit until you are 16. A 15-year-old with a permit would be learning traffic before the state thinks they are ready for it.

Although you cannot obtain a Limited Learner Permit from the DMV until you are sixteen (16),

As of 14 Sep 2026

How long must you hold a learner's permit before a license?

You must hold a limited learner permit for at least 6 months before you can take the driving skills test and move up to a learner provisional license. A teen who rushes to the road test has had too little practice to handle what the test throws at them.

You must hold a Learner Instructional Permit for at least six (6) months before you can take a Rhode Island DMV driving skills test.

As of 14 Sep 2026

Who must ride with you when you drive on a learner's permit?

With a limited learner permit, the supervising driver must sit beside you at all times and be ready to take control in an emergency. An adult in the back seat cannot reach the wheel or the brake when a learner freezes.

The licensed driver must be seated beside you at all times and be ready to take control of the vehicle in an emergency.

As of 14 Sep 2026

What hours may a provisional driver not drive?

A learner provisional license holder may not drive alone between 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Late-night roads hold tired and drunk drivers, the worst company for a new driver alone.

A PERSON WITH A LEARNER PROVISIONAL LICENSE CANNOT DRIVE BY THEMSELVES BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 1:00 A.M. AND 5:00 A.M.

As of 14 Sep 2026

How many passengers may a new provisional driver carry?

During the first 12 months of a learner provisional license, no more than 1 passenger under 21 is allowed in the vehicle. Each extra young passenger is one more voice pulling a new driver's eyes off the road.

During the first twelve (12) months of a learner’s provisional license no more than one (1) passenger younger than twenty-one (21) years of age is allowed in the vehicle.

As of 14 Sep 2026

What is the penalty for littering from a vehicle?

Littering on public or private roadways or property is a violation, with a fine of $85 to $1,000. Trash thrown from cars blocks drains and leaves glass and debris in the road.

Littering: It is a violation of Rhode Island law to litter on public or private roadways or property ($85 to $1000 dollar fine).

As of 14 Sep 2026

When must you install an ignition interlock after a drunk-driving conviction?

(1) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for three (3) months to one year.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8(b)(1)

As of 8 Oct 2026

For how many years does a prior drunk-driving conviction count against you?

(2)(i) Every person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period with a blood alcohol concentration of eight one-hundredths of one percent (.08%) or above, but less than fifteen hundredths of one percent (.15%), or whose blood alcohol concentration is unknown, or who has a blood presence of any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, and every person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period, regardless of whether the prior violation and subsequent conviction was a violation and subsequent conviction under this statute or under the driving under the influence of liquor or drugs statute of any other state, shall be subject to a mandatory fine of four hundred dollars ($400). The person’s driving license shall be suspended for a period of one year to two (2) years, and the individual shall be sentenced to not less than ten (10) days, nor more than one year, in jail. The sentence may be served in any unit of the adult correctional institutions in the discretion of the sentencing judge; however, not less than forty-eight (48) hours of imprisonment shall be served consecutively. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual; provided, however, that the court may permit a servicemember or veteran to complete any court-approved counseling program administered or approved by the Veterans’ Administration and shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle, pursuant to subsection (d)(9) or (d)(10) of this section, that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2(d)(2)

As of 8 Oct 2026

What is the fine for texting while driving?

A first offense for texting while driving carries a $100 fine. A fine on the first offense makes drivers stop before the habit causes a crash.

First offense = $100 fine

As of 14 Sep 2026

Who must wear a protective helmet while operating or riding a motorcycle?

Operators of motorcycles, motor scooters, and motor-driven cycles shall use eye protection of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles when operating their vehicles on streets and highways. Every motorcycle, motor scooter, and motor-driven cycle shall be equipped with a rear view mirror. Any operator under the age of twenty-one (21) shall wear a helmet of a type approved by the administrator of motor vehicles. In addition, all new operators, regardless of age, shall be required, for a period of one year from the date of issuance of the first license pursuant to § 31-10.1-1, to wear a helmet of a type approved by said administrator. Any person deemed in violation of this provision shall be subject to the fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4, which shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of chapter 41.1 of this title. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized to set forth rules and regulations governing the use of other equipment on those vehicles. All fines collected under this section shall be deposited in a general restricted receipt account for the use of the Rhode Island governor’s office on highway safety in order to promote educational and informational programs encouraging helmet use.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-4

As of 8 Oct 2026

How much light must a tinted side or rear window let through?

Rhode Island window tint must let through at least 70% of visible light. Dark glass hides the driver from people outside and makes it hard to see out at night.

Rhode Island follows the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards of a total visible light transmittance of not less than seventy percent (70%).

As of 14 Sep 2026

How much distance must you leave when passing a bicycle?

When passing a bicyclist, allow as much clearance as possible, 3 to 5 feet. A mirror or bumper that clips a cyclist at speed throws them to the ground.

Allow as much clearance as possible (3-5 feet) when passing to prevent contact with a bicyclist and be prepared to stop suddenly if the person were to fall into the driver’s lane.

As of 14 Sep 2026

Must a vehicle driving slower than other traffic keep to the right lane?

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-2

As of 8 Oct 2026

What is the minimum liability insurance coverage for bodily injury or death of one person and property damage?

(A) Affording coverage as defined in the minimum provisions prescribed in a regulation that shall be promulgated by the commissioner. The commissioner, before promulgating the regulations or any amendments to them, shall consult with all insurers licensed to write automobile liability insurance in this state and shall not prescribe minimum provisions that fail to reflect the provisions of automobile liability insurance policies issued within this state at the date of the regulation or amendment of it. Nothing contained in regulation or in this chapter shall prohibit any insurer from affording coverage under an owner’s policy of liability insurance more liberal than that required by the minimum provisions. Every owner’s policy of liability insurance shall provide insurance subject to the regulation against loss from the liability imposed by law for damages, including damages for care and loss of services, because of bodily injury to, or death of, any person and injury to, or destruction of, property arising out of the ownership, maintenance, use, or operation of a specific motor vehicle or motor vehicles within the state of Rhode Island or elsewhere in the United States, in North America, or the Dominion of Canada, subject to a limit, exclusive of interest and costs, with respect to each motor vehicle of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to, or death of, one person in any one accident; and subject to the limit for one person, to a limit of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000), because of bodily injury to, or death of, two (2) or more persons in any one accident; and a limit of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of injury to, or destruction of, property of others in any one accident; or seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) combined, single limit. Any insurer authorized to issue an owner’s policy of liability insurance as provided for in this chapter may, pending the issue of the policy, make an agreement to be known as a binder, or may, in lieu of the policy, issue a renewal endorsement or evidence of renewal of an existing policy, each of which shall be construed to provide indemnity or protection in like manner and to the same extent as the policy. The provisions of this chapter shall apply to such binders, renewal endorsements, or evidences of renewal; and

Rhode Island law, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-2(13)

As of 8 Oct 2026

Ask a question about Rhode Island road law

Easier than searching the manual: ask in your own words — how far from a fire hydrant you may park, when you must stop for a school bus — and the answer comes from Rhode Island Driver’s Manual or Rhode Island’s code, with the page or the section it is in. When neither says, the answer says so rather than guess. Or tick Nationwide and compare every state on one question.

Ask a question

Rhode Island driving questions, answered