---
title: "Is reckless driving a felony in Rhode Island?"
description: "Reckless driving can be a felony in Rhode Island, though a first offense usually is not. A first reckless driving charge is generally a misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense, however, can be..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/is-reckless-driving-a-felony-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-08-14
modified: 2026-08-14
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# Is reckless driving a felony in Rhode Island?

Reckless driving can be a felony in Rhode Island, though a first offense usually is not. A first reckless driving charge is generally a misdemeanor. A second or subsequent offense, however, can be charged as a felony, which carries the heavier penalties and lasting consequences that come with a felony conviction. The charge can also become far more serious when the reckless driving results in injury or death, since Rhode Island has separate and more severe offenses for driving that causes harm. The line between misdemeanor and felony here is driven by your history and by whether anyone was hurt. Because a felony conviction affects far more than your license, including employment and civil rights, treating even a first charge seriously helps keep you off the path toward felony exposure later.