Rhode Island

Width

8'6" (8' on other roads)

Height

13'6"

Semi-trailer length

56'

Max length

80'

Overhang — rear

6'

Single axle

20,000 lb.

Tandem axle

34,000 lb.

Tridem axle

45,200 lb.

Max gross weight

80,000 lb.

Phone

401-462-4368

Fax

401-462-5791

Hours

8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Eastern

Website

dot.ri.gov

Escort vehicles must be at least a compact car and maintain visual and two-way radio contact with the permitted vehicle at all times; one escort precedes on undivided highways and follows on divided highways. Overwidth: 12'–14'6" requires one escort, over 14'6" requires two. Overlength: 80'–90' requires one escort, over 90' requires two. Overhang of 15' or more requires one escort (occasionally a second, for safety). Building moves require two escorts plus a police escort from each city or town traveled. Cranes require two escorts for intrastate moves 12' wide or more.

The overall gross weight on a group of two or more consecutive axles is set by the bridge formula W = 500((LN/(N−1)) + 12N + 36), and may not exceed 80,000 lbs. Maximum permit weights for divisible loads: 76,650 lbs for a 3+ axle vehicle, 62,000 lbs for a 3-axle tractor semi-trailer, 87,000 lbs for a 4-axle tractor semi-trailer, and 104,800 lbs for a 4+ axle tractor semi-trailer.

Rhode Island's Online Temporary IRP Permits Service allows purchase of a 72-hour Temporary Trip Permit from the RI Division of Motor Vehicles — you'll need a valid USDOT number, a credit card and billing address, and a printer for your receipt (contact the DMV Permit Division at 401-946-0090 for trip-specific questions). A qualified motor vehicle for IFTA registration has two axles and a GVW/registered GVW over 26,000 lbs, three or more axles regardless of weight, or a combined weight over 26,000 lbs.

Rhode Island enforces maximum truck weight through fines, with no explicit provision for prison time on weight violations: $65 per pound over the legal weight up to 10,000 lbs overweight, and $125 per pound beyond 10,000 lbs overweight. Vehicles operating in excess of 104,800 lbs gross vehicle weight face an additional $1,025 penalty on top of these fines.

No moves are authorized (unless otherwise noted) from sunset Friday to sunrise Monday, or on New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Victory Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day, or Christmas Day. If a holiday falls on Sunday, the following Monday is also restricted; if on Saturday, the previous Friday is restricted after noon. If a holiday falls mid-week, travel is allowed until noon the day before.

No special lighting is required on load vehicles beyond running with low-beam headlights at all times. All over-width loads require an "OVERSIZE LOAD" banner front and rear, black 10-inch letters with a 1.25-inch stroke on a yellow background. 18-inch square red or orange fluorescent flags are required at the extremities of over-width loads (two to six flags depending on configuration); an overhang over 4' needs one flag (or two if wider than 2 feet).

Flat-headed studs projecting 1/16 inch or less beyond the tread are permitted from November 15 through April 1. Tire chains of reasonable proportions are permitted when required for safety because of snow, ice, or similar conditions. Minimum tread depth is 2/32 inch — the DMV administrator may remove a non-conforming vehicle from the highway and suspend its registration until it complies.

Dimensions

Depend on the route

Cost

$100

Turnaround

1 week, mailed

Commodity specific

Truck specific

Route required

No

Be alert around work zone crews — Rhode Island doubles traffic fines in a marked work zone even if no workers are present. Comply with the posted speed limit (and slow further for weather or other conditions), merge into the proper lane well in advance, and never tailgate.

Legal width

8'6"

Legal length

60'

Legal height

13'6"

Exceeding these dimensions requires a special permit. Rhode Island is a member of a multi-state permit agreement with Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont — a multi-state permit covers vehicles and loads within the size envelope of 108,000 lbs (5 axles) to 120,000 lbs (6+ axles), 90' length, 13'6" height, and 14' width (plus a 6-inch eave overhang allowance for mobile and modular home components only). Vehicles exceeding these limits need individual permits from each state; multi-state permits are valid 5 days, with travel limited to the times listed on the permit.