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.

Rhode Island
Bike helmets required?

Bicycle helmets required for all riders under 16.

Rhode Island
Motorcycle Helmet Required?

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 Universal helmet law repealed 1976.

Rhode Island
Length of Regular Renewal Cycle

5 years

Rhode Island
Provisions for Mature Drivers

75 and over: renewal every 2 years

Rhode Island
DUID Zero Tolerance or Per se Laws for Some Drugs

Zero tolerance for some drugs

Rhode Island
Marijuana Possession and Use

Decriminalized and legal for medical use

Rhode Island
Marijuana Impaired Driving

Zero tolerance for THC and metabolites

Rhode Island
Urban Interstates: Cars (MPH)

55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Urban Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Other Limited Access Roads: Cars (MPH)

55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Other Limited Access Roads: Trucks (MPH)

55 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Rural Interstates: Cars (MPH)

65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Rural Interstates: Trucks (MPH)

65 (Rhode Island speed limits are not set by law, but by state traffic commission)

Rhode Island
Increased penalty for high BAC

.10 and .15

Rhode Island
Administrative license suspension on first offense

30-180 days

Rhode Island
Limited driving privileges during suspension

None

Rhode Island
Ignition Interlocks

Mandatory for all convictions

Rhode Island
Open container laws

Yes

Rhode Island
Repeat Offender Laws

No

Rhode Island
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

Rhode Island
Adult Safety Belt Permissible

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

8-17 yrs

Rhode Island
Learner Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16

Rhode Island
Learner Stage: Minimum Duration (Months)

6

Rhode Island
Learner Stage: Supervised Driving Hours (Night Hours in Parenthesis)

50 (10)

Rhode Island
Intermediate Stage: Minimum Age (Years/Months)

16 / 6

Rhode Island
Intermediate Stage: Nighttime Driving Restriction

1 a.m. - 5 a.m.

Rhode Island
Intermediate Stage: Passenger Restrictions (Except Family, Unless Noted)

First 12 months: no more than 1 under 21

Rhode Island
Full Privilege Minimum Age

17 years, 6 months

Rhode Island
Type of Law

Primary

Rhode Island
Who is Covered?

8 and over

Rhode Island
In What Seat?

All

Rhode Island
Hand-Held Ban?

Yes. Primary law.

Rhode Island
All Cell Phone Ban? School Bus Drivers

Yes. Primary law.

Rhode Island
All Cell Phone Ban? Novice Drivers

Drivers under 18. Primary law.

Rhode Island
Text Messaging Ban?

All drivers. Primary law.

Rhode Island
Speed Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Rhode Island
Speed Cameras: Where Permitted

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

Rhode Island
Red Light Cameras: State Law

Permitted by state law

Rhode Island
Red Light Cameras: Where Permitted

Statewide
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