Rhode Island motorcycle permit practice test
It's based on No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles. Practise Rhode Island's own motorcycle rules below, then the full motorcycle manual tests.
Rhode Island motorcycle rules
| Permit | Motorcycle permits are no longer issued (DMV motorcycle page). License minimum age 16 (RIGL 31-10.1-1); a holder of a limited provisional license may ride only when they could drive unsupervised under 31-10-6. |
|---|---|
| Skills test or course | Completion of the CCRI motorcycle safety course is required; bring the CCRI certificate and a valid RI license to a DMV branch. Since 3/1/2022 courses/certificates are 2-wheel or 3-wheel specific: 'Q' restriction = 2-wheel only, 'W' = 3-wheel only, unless both courses are passed. Endorsements issued before 3/1/2022 and unrestricted out-of-state endorsements cover both. |
| Helmet law | Required for operators under 21, for all new operators during the first year of their first motorcycle license, and for all passengers regardless of age (RIGL 31-10.1-4, 31-10.1-6; Driver's Manual p.48). |
| Eye protection | All operators must use approved eye protection (RIGL 31-10.1-4; Driver's Manual p.49). |
| Passengers | Passenger needs a separate rear seat, separate footrest, handlebar or grip, and a helmet; passengers under 12 need a secured backrest, feet on footrests and must sit behind the operator unless in a sidecar (RIGL 31-10.1-6). |
Rhode Island motorcycle law questions
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Question 1Which Rhode Island motorcycle passengers must wear a helmet?
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A: All passengers, regardless of age. Rhode Island law requires passengers on motorcycles to wear helmets. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: Driver's Manual VI. Motorcycles: Use of Protective Equipment, page 48.
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Question 2Under Rhode Island law, which motorcycle operators must always wear a helmet?
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D: Operators under 21. Any operator under 21 must always wear a certified helmet. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: Driver's Manual VI. Motorcycles: Use of Protective Equipment, page 48.
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Question 3A 35-year-old gets their first Rhode Island motorcycle license. How long must they wear a helmet?
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C: For the first year of the license. New operators, regardless of age, must wear an approved helmet for the first year of their license. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: Driver's Manual VI. Motorcycles: Use of Protective Equipment, page 48.
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Question 4Which Rhode Island motorcycle operators must wear eye protection?
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A: All operators. Rhode Island law requires all operators to properly wear eye protection (glasses, goggles or a face shield). No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: Driver's Manual VI. Motorcycles: Use of Protective Equipment, page 49.
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Question 5What is the minimum age for a Rhode Island motorcycle license?
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D: 16. No person may be licensed under the motorcycle chapter unless at least 16 years of age. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-1(a).
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Question 6Which small two-wheelers are exempt from Rhode Island's motorcycle license requirement?
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C: Motor scooters and motorized bicycles of no more than 4.9 hp and 50 cc that can't exceed 30 mph. Motorized bicycles and motor scooters rated at most 4.9 hp and 50 cc, with a top speed of 30 mph or less, are exempt. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-1(a).
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Question 7A Rhode Island rider got the M endorsement before March 1, 2022. Which motorcycles may they ride?
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C: Both two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles. Anyone licensed before March 1, 2022 may operate both two- and three-wheeled motorcycles without further examination. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-1(c).
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Question 8A Rhode Island motorcyclist holds a limited provisional license. When may they ride?
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A: Only at times they could drive a car without supervision. A limited provisional licensee may ride a motorcycle only when they could drive a motor vehicle without supervision under § 31-10-6. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-1(d).
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Question 9Which piece of equipment must every Rhode Island motorcycle have under § 31-10.1-4?
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D: A rear view mirror. Every motorcycle, motor scooter and motor-driven cycle must be equipped with a rear view mirror. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-4.
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Question 10How high may motorcycle handlebars be in Rhode Island?
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D: No more than 15 inches above the seat when depressed by the operator. Handlebars may not be more than 15 inches above the uppermost portion of the seat when depressed by the operator's weight. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-5.
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Question 11What must be provided for a passenger on a Rhode Island motorcycle?
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C: A separate rear seat, a separate footrest and a handlebar or grip. Any passenger must have a separate rear seat, separate footrest and an appropriate handlebar or grip, and must wear a helmet. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-6.
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Question 12What extra rule applies to a Rhode Island motorcycle passenger under 12 (not in a sidecar)?
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A: They need a secured backrest, feet on the footrests, and must sit behind the operator. Passengers under 12 must have a properly secured backrest, keep their feet on the footrest and be seated behind the operator unless a sidecar is used. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-6.
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Question 13Who is responsible if a Rhode Island motorcycle passenger isn't wearing a helmet?
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D: The operator; no one may operate with a helmetless passenger. No person shall operate a motorcycle unless any passenger on it wears a helmet and can rest their feet on a footrest. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-6.
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Question 14Where must a Rhode Island motorcycle be inspected?
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C: At an inspection station specially licensed for motorcycles. Motorcycles must be inspected like other vehicles, at inspection stations specially licensed for motorcycles, and display a distinct certificate. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10.1-7.
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Question 15According to the Rhode Island Driver's Manual, why should drivers allow extra following distance behind a motorcycle?
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B: Slippery pavement can make it hard for a motorcycle to stop quickly. Stopping distance for motorcycles is nearly the same as for cars, but slippery pavement makes quick stops difficult, so allow more following distance. No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles: Driver's Manual VI. Motorcycles: What all drivers should know, page 48.
Answer every question to see your score.
Full motorcycle practice tests
300 questions on riding skills and safety from the Motorcycle Operator Manual, which most states use.
Manual: No separate motorcycle manual; Rhode Island Driver's Manual (April 2024) Section VI Motorcycles. Source: Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (Department of Revenue), checked 2026-10-27.