Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Rhode Island

By the end of this topic you can

• You can explain who must be belted and who is responsible.
• You can choose the right restraint for a child.
• You can state the phone rules for drivers under 18 and the handheld and texting ban for everyone.
• You can name ways to reduce distraction.

What you need to know and understand

• Everyone in the vehicle must be belted, and the driver is responsible for compliance.
• The fine is $40 per unbelted occupant aged 18 or older.
• Children under 8 who are under 57 inches and under 80 pounds ride in a rear seat in an approved child restraint.
• A child restraint violation carries a $100 fine and requires a court appearance.
• Drivers under 18 may not use a phone at all, even hands-free, except in an emergency.
• Under-18 phone fines are $100, then $150, then $250 plus losing your license until 18.
• Texting or any other handheld phone use while driving is banned for all drivers: $100, then $150, then $250.

Belts and child restraints

The driver must wear a belt and must make sure every passenger does. A child under 8 who is less than 57 inches tall and less than 80 pounds must ride in a rear seat in a federally approved child restraint. A child under 8 who has reached 57 inches or 80 pounds uses a seat belt in a rear seat. The rear-seat rule has exceptions when the vehicle has no back seat or all rear seats are taken by other children.

Infants ride rear-facing until at least age 2 or 30 pounds. If a child fails the five-step belt fit test, for example the shoulder belt does not cross the middle of the chest, they still need a booster seat.

Phones: the under-18 ban and texting

• Under 18: no phone use at all while driving, including hands-free and speakerphone. In an emergency, pull to a safe place and call 911.
• Under 18 penalties: $100 for a first offense, $150 for a second, and $250 plus loss of your license until 18 for a third.
• All ages: no composing, reading or sending texts while driving. Fines are $100, $150 and then $250 for handheld or texting offenses.
• No driving while wearing earphones or a headset.
• All ages: since July 2025, no holding or using a handheld phone for any purpose while driving. Drivers 18 and over may use a phone hands-free or with a single tap or swipe.

Beating other distractions

1. Set your seat, mirrors, climate and audio before you move off.
2. Put your phone out of reach and silence it.
3. Ask passengers to handle navigation and messages.
4. Pull over safely if you need to eat, read or deal with a problem.
5. If you are tired, stop and rest. Drowsy driving causes serious crashes.

Common mistakes

• Thinking a hands-free call is allowed under 18. It is not.
• Driving off before a back-seat passenger has buckled up; as the driver, you pay the fine.
• Moving a child out of a booster seat too early.
• Glancing at a text at a red light.

Test yourself: Seat belts, child seats and phone laws in Rhode Island

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Rhode Island Permit Practice Test
• Learning to Drive in Rhode Island
• Rhode Island Driver’s Ed