Rhode Island

GHSA maintains data on state laws surrounding a number of highway safety issues. Below is information regarding laws in the state of Rhode Island. For more information, consult the State Highway Safety Office.

  • Alcohol Impaired Driving

    Penalties

    Increased Penalty for High BAC Administrative License Suspension on First Offense Limited Driving Privileges During Suspension
    .10 and .15 30-180 days  

    Ignition Interlocks

    Mandatory for all convictions

    Other

    Open Container Laws Repeat Offender Laws
    Yes No
  • Bicyclists and Pedestrians

    Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

  • Child Passenger Safety

    Child Restraint Required

    2 yrs or under and under 30 lbs in rear-facing child safety seat

    7 yrs and under and shorter than 57" and under 80 lbs in child restraint

    Adult Safety Belt Permissible

    7 yrs or under and 80 lbs or over or 57" or taller

    8-17 yrs

  • Distracted Driving

    Hand-Held Ban?

    Yes. Primary law.

    All Cell Phone Ban?

    School Bus Drivers

    Yes. Primary law.

    Novice Drivers

    Drivers under 18. Primary law.

    Text Messaging Ban?

    All drivers. Primary law.

  • Drug Impaired Driving

    DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

    • Zero tolerance for some drugs

    Marijuana-Specific Laws

    • Possession and Use: Decriminalized and legal for medical use
    • Impaired Driving: Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites
  • Mature Drivers

    Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

    5 years

    Provisions for Mature Drivers

    75 and over: renewal every 2 years

  • Motorcyclists

    Helmets required for all riders under 21 or who have been licensed less than one year; helmets required for all passengers. Universal helmet law repealed 1976.

  • Seat Belts

    Type of Law

    Primary

    Who Is Covered?

    8 and over

    In What Seat?

    All

  • Speed and Red Light Cameras

    Speed Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    School zones, Monday - Friday, 7am - 6pm, August 15 - June 30


    Red Light Cameras

    State Law

    Permitted by state law

    Where Permitted

    Statewide

  • Speeding and Aggressive Driving

    Rural Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    65 65

    Urban Interstates

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55

    Other Limited Access Roads

    Cars (MPH) Trucks (MPH)
    55 55

    *NOTE: Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission

  • Teen and Novice Drivers

    Full Privilege Minimum Age

    17 years, 6 months

    Learner Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Minimum Duration (Months)

    Required Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours)

    16 6 50 (10)

    Intermediate Stage

    Minimum Age (Years/Months)

    Nighttime Driving Restriction

    Passenger Restriction (except family, unless noted)

    16 / 6 1 a.m. - 5 a.m. First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21