Rhode Island Lanes & Turns practice test

Key Rhode Island facts: Lanes & Turns

• On roadways of sufficient width, drive on the right half; slow vehicles keep to the right-hand lane. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-2
• A driver overtaking another vehicle gives a timely audible signal and passes on the left at a safe distance; the overtaken driver gives way to the right and must not speed up. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-4
• A vehicle may pass on the right only when the vehicle ahead is turning left or on a one-way or restricted multi-lane road free of obstruction, and never by driving off the pavement. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-5
• An overtaking vehicle must be back on the right before coming within 100 feet of an approaching vehicle. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-6
• Do not drive to the left side of the roadway when approaching a hill crest or curve with obstructed view, within 100 feet of an intersection or railroad crossing, or near a bridge or tunnel with obstructed view. R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-7(a)

Sample Lanes & Turns questions

How far before a turn must you start signaling?

• At least 25 feet
• At least 500 feet
• At least 100 feet
• At least 50 feet

Show the answer

At least 100 feet

The signal must stay on during the last 100 feet.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-6, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-6

When may you pass on the right in Rhode Island?

• By driving onto the shoulder to get ahead
• Whenever the car ahead is slow on a two-way road
• On a two-lane road with traffic coming
• When the vehicle ahead is about to turn left

Show the answer

When the vehicle ahead is about to turn left

Passing on the right may never involve driving off the main-traveled part of the road.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-5, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-5

On a multi-lane highway, which lane does the manual say the law requires you to use for passing?

• The shoulder
• Any lane
• The left lane
• The right lane

Show the answer

The left lane

The right lane is for normal driving; slower vehicles keep right.

Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Passing Another Vehicle, PDF p. 34

When may a driver enter a bicycle lane?

• Whenever no cyclist is in sight
• To turn, or to enter or leave the roadway
• To get around a backed-up intersection
• To pass slower traffic on the right

Show the answer

To turn, or to enter or leave the roadway

Cross it only for those purposes.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-17, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-17(a)

On which stretch of road is a U-turn prohibited?

• On a curve where you can't be seen within 500 feet
• On any residential street at any time
• On any road marked with a double yellow line
• On any road wider than two lanes

Show the answer

On a curve where you can't be seen within 500 feet

Visibility within 500 feet is the test.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-4, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-4

What does a shared-lane marking (sharrow) in the middle of a lane tell drivers?

• The lane is a bus lane
• Bicyclists may use the full lane
• Bicycles are banned from the lane
• Parking is allowed in the lane

Show the answer

Bicyclists may use the full lane

It shows where cyclists are likely to be in the lane.

Source: Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024), Roadway Markings, PDF p. 38

When passing on a two-lane road, how far from an oncoming vehicle must you be back in your own lane?

• At least 25 feet
• At least 100 feet
• At least 500 feet
• Any distance if you are faster

Show the answer

At least 100 feet

The left side must also be clearly visible and free of traffic for the whole pass.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-6, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-6

How far may you drive in a two-way left turn lane while preparing to turn?

• No more than 500 feet
• No more than 200 feet
• As far as you like
• No more than 20 feet

Show the answer

No more than 200 feet

Do not use the lane as a passing lane.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-19, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-19(2)

Within how many feet of an intersection or railroad grade crossing is passing on the left prohibited?

• 100 feet
• 25 feet
• 50 feet
• 300 feet

Show the answer

100 feet

Passing is also barred near hills and curves with obstructed view.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-7, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-7(a)

On a multi-lane road, where should a slow-moving vehicle drive?

• In whichever lane is open
• On the shoulder of the road
• In the left-hand lane
• In the right-hand lane

Show the answer

In the right-hand lane

The exception is passing another vehicle or preparing for a left turn.

Source: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-2, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-2

Take this topic's test

More Rhode Island practice

• Full practice testAll topics, as in the knowledge test
• Road SignsWhat signs mean and what to do when you see them86 questions, 8 on Rhode Island rules
• Right-of-WayWho goes first at intersections, crosswalks and roundabouts28 questions, 15 on Rhode Island rules
• Traffic SignalsLights, arrows and pedestrian signals22 questions, 12 on Rhode Island rules
• Speed LimitsLimits and how to adjust your speed17 questions, 11 on Rhode Island rules
• ParkingCurb colors, hills and where you can't park16 questions, 11 on Rhode Island rules
• Safe DrivingFollowing distance, weather, night driving and sharing the road46 questions, 20 on Rhode Island rules
• Alcohol & DrugsBlood alcohol limits, DUI rules and medication32 questions, 15 on Rhode Island rules
• EmergenciesBreakdowns, emergency vehicles and railroad crossings19 questions, 13 on Rhode Island rules
• License RulesPermits, restrictions for new drivers and points30 questions, 30 on Rhode Island rules
• Insurance & CollisionsRequired coverage and what to do after a crash27 questions, 13 on Rhode Island rules
• Phones & DistractionPhone rules and other distractions19 questions, 11 on Rhode Island rules

About these questions

We wrote these practice questions from the facts in the Rhode Island Driver's Manual (Rhode Island Driver's Manual, April 2024 edition (cover date; 87 PDF pages; PDF pages equal the printed page numbers), the manual linked from the Division of Motor Vehicles' Operator Manuals page and read 2026-11-10 at dmv.ri.gov/media/966/download. dmv.ri.gov pages and that file are behind a Cloudflare check that blocks curl (HTTP 403), so the pages and the PDF were read in the built-in browser and the PDF text was extracted there and saved to sources/RI/handbook.txt (the 2024 PDF itself could not be saved with curl). An older manual dated rev. 08/2015 (Driver_Manual_FINAL.pdf) is still on dmv.ri.gov and was saved as sources/RI/handbook_2015.pdf only to compare editions. The manual says on PDF p. 6 that it is a guideline and not a legal document, so every legal rule used in questions was checked against R.I. Gen. Laws Title 31 on webserver.rilegislature.gov (sections read 2026-11-10, including laws amended in 2025). Out-of-date or inconsistent manual statements and how they were handled: (1) DUI and chemical test refusal (PDF pp. 61-63) count repeat offenses within 5 years, but R.I. Gen. Laws 31-27-2 and 31-27-2.1 count them within 10 years; questions use the statute. (2) Phones (PDF pp. 36-37) describe only the ban for drivers under 18 and texting; since July 2, 2025 (2025 P.L. ch. 401 and 402) 31-22-30 bars using a handset for any purpose while driving except hands-free, and 31-22-31 bars hand-held calls ($100 fine); questions use the statutes. (3) Full license age: PDF p. 14 says at least 17 years 6 months, 31-10-6(b)(3) says at least 17 and under 18; no question asks the age. (4) Fines: PDF pp. 27 and 59 give $85 for a child restraint violation and PDF p. 58 gives $500 for no proof of insurance, while the schedule in 31-41.1-4 shows $100 for a child restraint violation and 31-47-9 sets $100 to $500 for a first insurance offense; school bus penalty PDF p. 54 says $250 to $500 while 31-20-12 says up to $300 for a first offense ($250 to $500 applies to camera cases under 31-51-2.2); no question asks these fines except the insurance penalty, which follows 31-47-9. (5) Shared (two-way) left turn lane (PDF p. 38): the manual says no entry unless turning within 100 feet, but 31-15-19(2) allows driving in the lane up to 200 feet; the question uses 200. (6) Bicycle passing: PDF p. 55 advises 3 to 5 feet of clearance, while 31-15-18 defines a safe distance as enough to prevent contact if the cyclist falls, with no fixed number; the question uses the statute and bicycle_pass_ft is left open. (7) Permit validity: PDF p. 12 says the permit lasts until age 18 and can be renewed twice, the DMV New License Permits page says a permit may be renewed one time, and 31-10-6(b)(1) says valid one year; no question asks it. (8) The manual cites the car door law as 31-21-1 (PDF p. 56) but it is 31-21-14; the question cites 31-21-14. (9) Adult learners: the manual does not state the 30-day wait before an adult permit holder's road test; the DMV New License Permits page does, and the question cites that page. (10) Right-turn-on-red, the stop-sign three-second pause (PDF p. 32) and lane-position advice are manual guidance; only the first is also in statute (31-13-6(3)(i)(A)). (11) The older 2015 manual's license renewal ages (2-year license from age 68) and texting fines ($85 to $125) are superseded and not used. edition) and from official sources on road signs. Every answer links to its source, so you can check it and read more.

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. This practice test is not connected to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, and your actual test will have different questions. Study the handbook, and check the agency's website for current rules.