Chapter 178 |
2022 -- S 2770 Enacted 06/27/2022 |
A N A C T |
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- SIZE, WEIGHT, AND LOAD LIMITS |
Introduced By: Senators Lombardo, and Ciccone |
Date Introduced: March 24, 2022 |
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows: |
SECTION 1. Sections 31-25-2, 31-25-3, 31-25-4, 31-25-5, 31-25-6, 31-25-7, 31-25-13, |
31-25-14, 31-25-16, 31-25-18, 31-25-21, 31-25-22, 31-25-23, 31-25-24, 31-25-28 and 31-25-29 of |
the General Laws in Chapter 31-25 entitled "Size, Weight, and Load Limits" are hereby amended |
to read as follows: |
31-25-2. Vehicles exempt from limitations. |
(a) The provisions of this chapter governing size, weight, and load shall not apply to: |
(1) Road machinery; |
(2) Farm vehicles, including farm tractors, temporarily moved upon a highway; |
(3) Any vehicle owned and operated by the Rhode Island public transit authority that is |
designed for carrying passengers and is comprised of two (2) sections permanently joined by a |
hinge mechanism or an articulated joint that allows vertical and horizontal movement and a passage |
for riders moving from one section to the other; |
(4) A vehicle operated under the terms of a special permit issued as provided in this chapter; |
(5) Covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicles; |
(6) Emergency vehicles with a weight limit of up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of |
eighty-six thousand pounds (86,000 lbs.) or less than twenty-four thousand pounds (24,000 lbs.) on |
a single steering axle; thirty-three thousand five hundred pounds (33,500 lbs.) on a single-drive |
axle; sixty-two thousand pounds (62,000 lbs.) on a tandem axle; or fifty-two thousand pounds |
(52,000 lbs.) on a tandem rear drive steer axle; or |
(7) Natural gas vehicles up to a maximum gross vehicle weight of eighty-two thousand |
pounds (82,000 lbs.) by an amount that is equal to the difference between the weight of the vehicle |
attributable to the natural gas tank and fueling system carried by that vehicle; and the weight of a |
comparable diesel tank and fueling system. |
(b) The provisions of this chapter governing size, weight, and load shall not apply to fire |
apparatus acquired by a city or town within this state prior to July 1, 1999. |
(c) Nothing in this section shall permit these vehicles to travel over any structure, highway, |
or portion of highway which that is weight restricted for the vehicle load. |
31-25-3. Maximum width. |
(a) The total outside width of any vehicle or the load on it shall not exceed one hundred |
two inches (102") excluding any safety and noncargo carrying appurtenances on either motorized |
campers or camping recreational vehicles. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated |
in § 31-41.1-4. |
(b) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum width, as |
permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100) per inch over width |
or portion of it. |
31-25-4. Maximum height. |
(a) No vehicle including any load on it shall exceed a height of one hundred sixty-two |
inches (162"). Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. |
(b) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum height, as |
permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined five hundred dollars ($500) per inch over |
height or portion of it. |
31-25-5. Maximum length of single vehicle and load. |
(a) No vehicle, including any load on it, except Rhode Island public transit authority |
articulated buses, shall exceed a length of forty feet (40') extreme overall dimension inclusive of |
front and rear bumpers, or in the case of a motor bus, motorized camper or camping recreational |
vehicle forty-five feet (45'). |
(b) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum length, as |
permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200) per foot over |
length or portion of it. |
31-25-6. Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles. |
(a) No combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than three (3) units, |
a truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and trailer. The combination of vehicles shall not be restricted in |
overall length, except that when a truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and a trailer are used in combination, |
the trailer or semi-trailer each shall not exceed twenty-eight and one-half feet (28' 6"), excluding |
bumpers and accessories. Provided, however, that combinations of vehicles consisting of three (3) |
units shall be permitted to operate only on the interstate highway system and on those highways, |
streets, and roads designated by the director of the department of transportation. |
(b) Combinations of vehicles consisting of truck-tractor and semi-trailer coupled together |
shall not be restricted in overall length, and semi-trailers shall not exceed fifty-three feet (53') in |
length, excluding bumpers and accessories. Towaway trailer transporter combinations shall not be |
restricted to an overall length limitation of less than eighty-two feet (82'). Semi-trailers exceeding |
forty-eight and one-half feet (48' 6") shall be permitted to operate only on the interstate highway |
system and on those highways, streets, and roads designated by the director of the department of |
transportation. Exceptions to the requirements of this section include the use of a pole trailer and |
combinations designed to transport motor vehicles and/or automobiles as authorized in §§ 31-25-7 |
and 31-25-8. The provision that no combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more |
than three (3) units shall not apply to vehicles coupled together by a saddle mount device used to |
transport motor vehicles in a drive-away service when no more than three (3) saddle mounts are |
used, and equipment used in the combination is approved by Part 393.71 of the federal motor carrier |
safety regulations, 49 C.F.R. § 393.71, and safety regulations of the division of motor vehicles of |
the department of revenue of the state of Rhode Island as this federal and/or state legislation may |
be amended or revised from time to time. Any owner or operator found deviating from the approval |
approved permitted routes shall be fined a minimum mandatory fine of five hundred dollars ($500), |
but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000). |
(c) The distance from the kingpin of the trailer to the center of the rear axle may not exceed |
forty-one feet (41'). |
(d) Fifty-three foot (53') trailers shall be equipped with a rear-end protection device of |
substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches |
(4") of the lateral extremities of the trailer, and located not more than twenty-two inches (22") from |
the surface of the road as measured with the vehicle empty and on level surface. |
(e) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. Any carrier or |
persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the maximum number or length |
of coupled vehicles, as permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined two hundred dollars |
($200) per foot over length or portion of it. |
31-25-7. Front and rear extensions of load. |
(a) Subject to the provisions of this chapter limiting the length of vehicles and loads, the |
load upon any vehicle, operated alone or the load upon the front vehicle of a combination of |
vehicles, shall not extend more than three feet (3') beyond the foremost part of the vehicle, and the |
load upon any vehicle, operated alone or the load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles, |
shall not extend more than six feet (6') beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. Violations |
of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. |
(b) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum extensions of |
load, as permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200) per foot |
over length or portion of it. |
31-25-13. Axle load limit. |
(a) The gross weight imposed on the highway by the wheels of any one axle of a vehicle |
shall not exceed twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds (22,400 lbs.). |
(b) For the purposes of this chapter, "axle load" is defined as the total load transmitted to |
the road by all wheels whose centers are included between two (2) parallel transverse vertical planes |
forty inches (40") apart, extending across the full width of the vehicle. |
(c) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4 § 31-25-14. |
31-25-14. Maximum weight and tandem axles. |
(a) It shall be unlawful to transport or operate over or upon any public highway in this state |
any vehicle equipped with tandem axles, should the gross weight of the axles exceed thirty-six |
thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.) if the axle spacing does not exceed eight feet (8'). |
(b) With respect to all public highways, the overall gross weight on a group of two (2) or |
more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, shall be determined by the |
following bridge gross weight formula: |
W = 500 [(LN /(N-1)) + 12N + 36] |
where W = the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the |
nearest five hundred pounds (500 lbs.); L = the distance in feet between the extremes of any group |
of two (2) or more consecutive axles; and N = the number of axles in the group under consideration. |
This overall gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed eighty thousand |
pounds (80,000 lbs.) except as specified in §§ 31-25-1, 31-25-2, and 31-25-21. |
(c) In any calculation using the formula in subsection (b) of this section in which the tandem |
axle limit is less than thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.), thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 |
lbs.) shall be considered the legal limit. Single axle limits shall be as defined in § 31-25-13. Nothing |
in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate any of the "grandfather rights" in existence as of April |
1, 1989. |
(d) Penalties. |
(1) Any carrier, as defined in § 31-25-16, or persons operating a vehicle or combination of |
vehicles that exceeds the weight limits of tandem-axle vehicles, as defined in this section, shall be |
fined one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) overweight or |
portion of it. |
(2) Any carrier, as defined in § 31-25-16, or persons operating a vehicle or combination of |
vehicles that exceeds the weight limits of twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds (22,400 lbs.) |
single axle limits as cited in § 31-25-13, shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per |
one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) overweight or portion of it. |
(3) Any carrier , as defined in § 31-25-16, or persons operating a vehicle or combination |
of vehicles that exceeds the bridge gross weight formula, as defined in this section, shall be fined |
one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-16(c)(2) through |
(c)(4). |
31-25-16. Authorized weight shown in registration -- Exceeding limit. |
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall insert in the registration card |
issued for a vehicle the gross weight for which it is registered. If it is a truck tractor to be used for |
propelling semi-trailers, he or she shall separately insert the total permissible gross weight of the |
truck tractor and semi-trailers to be propelled by it. It shall be unlawful for any carrier to operate |
or permit to be operated any vehicle or combination of vehicles of a gross weight in excess of that |
registered or permitted by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, permitted by the |
department of transportation, or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter. |
(b) For the purposes of this section this chapter 25 of title 31, "carrier" means and includes |
any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle. |
(c)(1) Penalties for violations of this section will be calculated on the registered or |
permitted legal weight in comparison to the actual weight and shall be heard and adjudicated at the |
traffic tribunal. |
(2) The overweight penalties for vehicles with ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross |
vehicle weight or less shall be eighty-five dollars ($85.00) per thousand pounds overweight or |
portion of it. |
(3) The overweight penalties for vehicles exceeding ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) |
gross vehicle weight shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per thousand five hundred |
pounds (500 lbs.) overweight or portion of it. |
(4) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred four |
thousand, eight hundred pounds (104,800 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one thousand twenty- |
five dollars ($1,025) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (b)(2) (c)(3) of this |
section. |
(5) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred thirty |
thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be two thousand five hundred dollars |
($2,500) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (c)(3) of this section. |
31-25-18. Weighing of suspected overweight vehicles. |
Any proper officer having reason to believe that the weight of a vehicle and load is unlawful |
is authorized to require the driver to stop and submit to a weighing of the vehicle and load by means |
of either portable or stationary scales, and may require that the vehicle be driven to the nearest |
available stationary scales. Any carrier or persons found to be operating in excess of their |
registered, permitted, and/or legal weight limits may be fined and released, required to reduce |
weight or dimensions to legal, and/or required to pursue a legal permit at the officer’s discretion. |
Any carrier or persons found to have pending motor vehicle fines in excess of ten thousand dollars |
($10,000) may have their permit privileges suspended until pending fines are paid. |
31-25-21. Power to permit excess size or weight of loads. |
(a) The department of transportation, with respect to highways under its jurisdiction, may, |
in its discretion, upon application in writing and good cause being shown for it, approve the |
issuance of a special permit in writing by the division of motor vehicles authorizing the applicant |
to operate or move a vehicle, or combination of vehicles, of a size or weight of vehicle or load |
exceeding eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) or otherwise not in conformity with the provisions |
of chapters 1 -- 27 of this title upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the party granting the |
permit and for the maintenance of which the party is responsible. Permits that have been issued for |
a full year shall not be required to be renewed for the period of time for which payment has been |
made and the application and other required documentation has been completed and filed. Provided, |
that neither the department of transportation nor the local authorities may approve the issuance of |
permits for divisible loads weighing in excess of one hundred four thousand-eight hundred pounds |
(104,800 lbs.), gross vehicle weight, for five-axle (5) vehicles and seventy-six thousand six hundred |
fifty pounds (76,650 lbs.), gross vehicle weight, for three-axle (3) vehicles the limits set by the |
director of the department of transportation by and through the rules and regulations promulgated |
by the department of transportation entitled “rules and regulations regarding overweight and |
oversize vehicle permits”. |
(1) Provided, however, that for milk products, any vehicle carrying fluid milk products |
shall be considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided. |
(b) The director of the department of transportation may enter into agreements with other |
states, the District of Columbia, and Canadian provinces providing for the reciprocal enforcement |
of the overweight or over-dimensional vehicle permit laws of those jurisdictions entering into the |
agreement. |
(c) Trip permit fee Single trip non-divisible permit fee. A fee of forty dollars ($40.00) shall |
be paid to the division of motor vehicles department of transportation for the issuance of each non- |
reducible vehicle or load non-divisible single trip permit; provided, however, applicants seeking a |
permit for a non-divisible load exceeding one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) shall |
pay a fee of three hundred dollars ($300.00) to the division of motor vehicles for consideration of |
a special trip permit approved by the department of transportation pursuant to subsection (e). Upon |
approval of the application, the department of transportation shall provide the approved permit. The |
driver must possess the permit and documentation as required by the permit at all times. |
(d) Annual fee Annual construction equipment blanket permit fee. An annual fee of four |
hundred dollars ($400) paid to the division of motor vehicles department of transportation shall |
exempt the payor from the necessity of paying single trip permit fees for non-divisible construction |
equipment loads of less than one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) as found in |
subsection (c). However, payment of the fee shall not be deemed to authorize non-compliance |
noncompliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of transportation |
entitled "State of Rhode Island Manual for Overweight and Oversize Vehicle Permits." "rules and |
regulations regarding overweight and oversize vehicle permits". |
(e) Blanket construction equipment permits may be issued, as determined by the |
department of transportation, for intrastate movement of non-reducible non-divisible construction |
equipment loads upon payment of the fee set forth in subsection (d). If used in conjunction with an |
annual divisible load permit, the limits and requirements of the blanket construction equipment |
permit shall supersede the requirements of the divisible load permit. The driver must possess both |
permits and all required documentation The duration of the blanket permit may not exceed one |
year,. The and the construction equipment permit load shall be limited to a minimum overall length |
of fifty-five feet (55'), a maximum overall length of eighty feet (80'), and a maximum width of |
twelve feet four inches (12' 4"), provided that neither the division of motor vehicles nor local |
authorities may issue blanket permits for non-divisible loads weighing in excess a maximum gross |
weight of one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) on less than six (6) axles, with |
individual axle weights exceeding and a maximum axle weight of twenty-five thousand pounds |
(25,000 lbs.); provided, further, that the department of transportation, with respect to highways |
under its jurisdiction, may, in its discretion and upon application and for good cause shown, |
approve the issuance of a special single trip non-divisible permit authorizing the applicant to exceed |
one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) for non-divisible loads. A flashing amber light |
shall be in operation above the highest point of the vehicle and shall be visible from both the front |
and rear of the vehicle; and signs and red warning flags shall be affixed to all extremities. All |
blanket permits issued in accordance with this section shall be effective during daylight and night- |
time hours for all over-dimensional moves made and travel shall be allowed on state highways. |
(f) Permission to travel is always subject to weather and road conditions. The following |
restrictions on travel times shall apply to all vehicles over eight feet six inches (8’6”) wide, over |
eighty feet (80’) long, or over one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.): |
(1) Freeways -- in general and arterial roadways. |
No travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am a.m. and 9:00 am a.m. or between |
3:00 pm p.m. and 7:00 pm p.m., Monday through Friday on any day of the week. |
(2) Arterial roadways. |
No travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am or between 3:00 pm |
and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday. |
(3)(2)(3) Holidays. |
Memorial Day, Victory Day, Labor Day, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and Columbus |
Day -- No Saturday, Sunday, or Monday day or night travel. |
Thanksgiving Day -- No Wednesday night or Thursday day or night travel. No travel on |
Wednesday through Sunday of Thanksgiving week in any calendar year. |
Independence Day, Veterans Day, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day -- No day or night |
travel and no travel the previous night. |
Easter Sunday. No Saturday night or Sunday travel. |
(3)(4) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-24. |
(f)(g) Construction equipment blanket permits shall not be granted for travel over the |
following bridges: |
Blackstone River Viaduct 750 carrying I-295 northbound and southbound over the |
Blackstone River; |
Kingston Road Bridge No. 403 carrying I-95 northbound and southbound over Kingston |
Road. |
(g)(h) Travel of blanket permitted construction equipment through zones with reductions |
in lane width such as construction zones will not be allowed. Prior to travel, blanket permit holders |
are responsible to verify the location of construction zones and lane width reductions. Locations of |
lane width reduction zones are available through the state department of transportation's |
construction office. |
(i) Upon approval of the annual construction equipment blanket permit application, the |
department of transportation shall provide the approved permit. The driver must possess the permit |
and documentation as required by the permit at all times. |
(j) Any carrier or persons found to be operating without a required permit, or in excess of |
their permit limits, three (3) times within a one-year period shall be revoked of their ability to use |
and receive permits within the state for up to thirty (30) days. Additional violations shall result in |
revocation of up to ninety (90) days. |
(k) Operation of any vehicle in excess of the requirements of any permit shall void that |
permit and result in the imposition of fines as provided in this chapter. |
31-25-22. Application for excess load permit. |
(a) The application for an excess load permit annual divisible load permit pursuant to § 31- |
25-21 shall specifically describe the vehicle or vehicles and load to be operated or moved, and the |
particular highways for which the permit to operate is requested and whether the permit is requested |
for a single trip or for continuous operation. |
(b) For continuous operation of divisible loads load permits, the specifically described |
vehicle or vehicles must be certified originally by the manufacturer of them to possess the braking |
and carrying capacity for the weight specified on the application. |
(c) Upon approval of the application or renewal of divisible load permits, the department |
of revenue transportation shall provide identification devices to be placed on the lower left corner |
of the driver's side of the windshield for trucks and tractors and on the front left corner of the driver's |
side for trailers the approved permit. The driver must possess the permit and documentation as |
required by the permit at all times. |
(d) Any motor carrier that has been granted a divisible load permit and has not displayed a |
sticker as required in subsection (c) of this section shall be subject to a fine not exceeding fifty |
dollars ($50.00) for the first offense or not exceeding one hundred dollars ($100) for subsequent |
offenses. |
(e)(d)(e) Divisible load permit fees for Rhode Island registered vehicles are reflected in the |
registration fee as enumerated in § 31-6-1(a)(2). |
(f)(e)(f) Divisible load permit fees for out-of-state registered vehicles are as follows: |
Trailers $100 flat fee. |
2, 3, or 4 Single-unit axle trucks $50.00 per 1,000 pounds over legal limit; |
maximum $1,500. for 76,650 pounds |
Maximum permittable loads for single unit trucks: |
2 axle - legal weight only per § 31-25-14 (b), (c). |
3+ axle - 76,650 lbs. |
Not to exceed Manufacturer GVWR. |
Tractors $50.00 per 1,000 pounds over legal limit; |
maximum $1,250. for 104,800 pounds. |
Tractors may acquire a permit for up to 104,800 lbs.; however the allowable gross weight depends |
on the total number of axles of the tractor/semi-trailer/trailer configuration being used at the time. |
Gross weight limits for tractor/semi-trailer/trailer configurations are as follows: |
3 axle – 62,000 lbs. |
4 axle – 87,000 lbs. |
5+ axle – 104,800 lbs. |
Transfer fee $10.00. |
(g) For the purpose of this section, the "legal limit" is defined as the maximum weight as |
calculated by the Bridge Formula. |
(h) Annual divisible load permits are issued for overweight only and not over-dimensional. |
(i) If the annual divisible load permit is used in conjunction with an annual construction |
equipment blanket permit, the limits and requirements of the blanket construction equipment permit |
shall supersede the requirements of the divisible load permit. The driver must possess both permits |
and all required documentation. This shall only apply when divisible load and trailered construction |
equipment are carried simultaneously. |
(j) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-16. |
31-25-23. Conditions and restrictions on excess load permits. |
(a) The department of revenue transportation or local authority is authorized to issue or |
withhold a permit at its discretion, or if the permit is issued, to limit the number of trips, or to |
establish seasonal or other time limitations within which the described vehicles may be operated |
on the indicated highways, or otherwise to limit or prescribe conditions of operation of the vehicle |
or vehicles, when necessary to assure against undue damage to the road foundations, surfaces, or |
structures, and may require any undertaking or other security that may be deemed necessary to |
compensate for any injury to any roadway or road structure. |
(b) Whenever a permit is issued by the department of revenue transportation or local |
authority for continuous operation, the permit shall not be issued for a period in excess of the |
registration date of the subject vehicle. |
(c) Upon re-registration of the subject vehicle, permits shall be issued by the department |
of revenue transportation or local authority, upon the re-certification of the braking and carrying |
capacity of the subject vehicle as specified on the expired permit. |
31-25-24. Carrying and inspection of excess load permits Carrying and inspection of |
permits. |
Every permit, including all documentation required by that permit, issued under §§ 31-25- |
21 -- 31-25-23 shall be carried in the vehicle to which it refers and shall be open to inspection by |
any proper officer or authorized agent of any authority granting the permit. No person shall violate |
any of the terms or conditions of the special permit. Violations of this section are subject to fines |
enumerated in § 31-41.1-4. |
31-25-28. Liability for damages from excess weight Liability for damages from |
oversize or overweight. |
(a) Any person driving any vehicle, object, or contrivance upon any highway or highway |
structure shall be liable for all damage which the highway or structure may sustain as a result of |
any illegal operation, driving, or moving of the vehicle, object, or contrivance, or as a result of |
operating, driving, or moving any vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing in excess of the |
maximum weight, or over the maximum dimensions in this chapter but authorized by a special |
permit issued as provided in this chapter. |
(b) Whenever the driver is not the owner of a vehicle, object, or contrivance, but is so |
operating, driving, or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner |
and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for the damage. |
(c) Damage may be recovered in a civil action brought by the authorities in control of the |
highway or highway structure. |
31-25-29. Refuse-hauling vehicles -- Exemption from permit. |
Notwithstanding any contrary provisions of this chapter, a motor vehicle designed and used |
for the hauling of refuse shall not be subject to state axle weight restrictions when hauling refuse. |
Nothing in this provision shall waive or modify existing state gross weight restrictions for refuse |
vehicles or other size and weight restrictions. To the extent that application of this section to |
highways which are part of the national system of interstate and defense highways would cause this |
state to be deprived of any federal funds for highway purposes, this section shall not be applicable |
to highways which are part of the system. Nothing in this section shall permit these vehicles to |
travel over any structure, highway, or portion of highway which that is weight restricted for the |
vehicle load. |
SECTION 2. Section 31-41.1-4 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-41.1 entitled |
"Adjudication of Traffic Offenses" is hereby amended to read as follows: |
31-41.1-4. Schedule of violations. |
(a) The penalties for violations of the enumerated sections, listed in numerical order, |
correspond to the fines described. However, those offenses for which punishments may vary |
according to the severity of the offense, or punishment that requires the violator to perform a |
service, shall be heard and decided by the traffic tribunal or municipal court. The following |
violations may be handled administratively through the method prescribed in this chapter. This list |
is not exclusive and jurisdiction may be conferred on the traffic tribunal with regard to other |
violations. |
VIOLATIONS SCHEDULE |
Sections of Total |
General Laws Fine |
8-8.2-2 DOT, DEM, or other agency and department violations $85.00 |
24-10-17 Soliciting rides in motor vehicles 85.00 |
24-10-18 Backing up prohibited 85.00 |
24-10-19 Advertising motor vehicle for sale on state highways 100.00 |
24-10-20 Park and ride lots 85.00 |
24-12-37 Nonpayment of toll 100.00 |
31-3-12 Visibility of plates 85.00 |
31-3-18 Display of plates 85.00 |
31-3-32 Driving with expired registration 85.00 |
31-3-34 Failure to notify division of change of address 85.00 |
31-3-35 Notice of change of name 85.00 |
31-3-40 Temporary plates – dealer issued 85.00 |
31-4-3 Temporary registration – twenty-day (20) bill of sale 85.00 |
31-10-10 Rules as to armed forces license 85.00 |
31-10-30 Driving on expired license 85.00 |
31-10-32 Notice of change of address 85.00 |
31-10.1-4 No motorcycle helmet (operator) 85.00 |
31-10.1-5 Motorcycle handlebar violation 85.00 |
31-10.1-6 No motorcycle helmet (passenger) 85.00 |
31-10.1-7 Inspection of motorcycle required 85.00 |
31-12-12 Local motor vehicle ordinance 85.00 |
31-13-4 Obedience to devices 85.00 |
31-13-6(3)(i) Eluding traffic light 85.00 |
31-13-9 Flashing signals 85.00 |
31-13-11 Injury to signs or devices 85.00 |
31-14-1 Reasonable and prudent speed 95.00 |
31-14-3 Condition requiring reduced speed 95.00 |
31-14-9 Below minimum speed 95.00 |
31-14-12 Speed limit on bridges and structures 95.00 |
31-15-1 Leaving lane of travel 85.00 |
31-15-2 Slow traffic to right 85.00 |
31-15-3 Operator left of center 85.00 |
31-15-4 Overtaking on left 85.00 |
31-15-5(a) Overtaking on right 85.00 |
31-15-6 Clearance for overtaking 85.00 |
31-15-7 Places where overtaking prohibited 85.00 |
31-15-8 No passing zone 85.00 |
31-15-9 One way highways 85.00 |
31-15-10 Rotary traffic islands 85.00 |
31-15-11 Laned roadway violation 85.00 |
31-15-12 Following too closely 85.00 |
31-15-12.1 Entering intersection 100.00 |
31-15-13 Crossing center section of divided highway 85.00 |
31-15-14 Entering or leaving limited access roadways 85.00 |
31-15-16 Use of emergency break-down lane for travel 85.00 |
31-15-17 Crossing bicycle lane 85.00 |
31-15-18 Unsafe passing of person operating a bicycle 85.00 |
31-16-1 Care in starting from stop 85.00 |
31-16-2 Manner of turning at intersection 85.00 |
31-16-4 U turn where prohibited 85.00 |
31-16-5 Turn signal required 85.00 |
31-16-6 Time of signaling turn 85.00 |
31-16-7 Failure to give stop signal 85.00 |
31-16-8 Method of giving signals 85.00 |
31-16.1-3 Diesel vehicle idling rules first offense not to exceed 100.00 |
second and subsequent offense not to exceed 500.00 |
31-17-1 Failure to yield right of way 85.00 |
31-17-2 Vehicle turning left 85.00 |
31-17-3 Yield right of way (intersection) 85.00 |
31-17-4 Obedience to stop signs 85.00 |
31-17-5 Entering from private road or driveway 85.00 |
31-17-8 Vehicle within right of way, rotary 85.00 |
31-17-9 Yielding to bicycles on bicycle lane 85.00 |
31-18-3 Right of way in crosswalks first violation 85.00 |
second violation or any subsequent violation $100.00 |
31-18-5 Crossing other than at crosswalks 85.00 |
31-18-8 Due care by drivers 85.00 |
31-18-12 Hitchhiking 85.00 |
31-18-18 Right of way on sidewalks 85.00 |
31-19-3 Traffic laws applied to bicycles 85.00 |
31-19-20 Sale of new bicycles 85.00 |
31-19-21 Sale of used bicycles 85.00 |
31-19.1-2 Operating motorized bicycle on an interstate highway 85.00 |
31-19.2-2 Operating motorized tricycle on an interstate highway 85.00 |
31-20-1 Failure to stop at railroad crossing 85.00 |
31-20-2 Driving through railroad gate 85.00 |
31-20-9 Obedience to stop sign 85.00 |
31-21-4 Places where parking or stopping prohibited 85.00 |
31-21-14 Opening of vehicle doors 85.00 |
31-21-18 Electric vehicle charging station restriction 85.00 |
31-22-2 Improper backing up 85.00 |
31-22-4 Overloading vehicle 85.00 |
31-22-5 Violation of safety zone 85.00 |
31-22-6 Coasting 85.00 |
31-22-7 Following fire apparatus 85.00 |
31-22-8 Crossing fire hose 85.00 |
31-22-9 Throwing debris on highway – snow removal 85.00 |
31-22-11.5 Improper use of school bus– not to exceed five hundred dollars |
for each day of improper use ($500) |
31-22-22(a) No child restraint 85.00 |
31-22-22(a) Child restraint/seat belt but not in any rear seating position 85.00 |
31-22-22(b), (f) No seat belt – passenger 40.00 |
31-22-22(g) No seat belt – operator 40.00 |
31-22-23 Tow trucks – proper identification 275.00 |
31-22-24 Operation of interior lights 85.00 |
31-23-1(b)(2) U.S. department of transportation motor carrier safety rules |
and regulations Not less than $85.00 |
or more than $500.00 |
31-23-1(e)(6) Removal of an "out of service vehicle" sticker 125.00 |
31-23-1(e)(7) Operation of an "out of service vehicle" 100.00 |
31-23-2(b) Installation or adjustment of unsafe or prohibited parts, |
equipment, or accessories: |
(first offense) 250.00 |
(second offense) 500.00 |
(third and subsequent offenses) 1,000.00 |
31-23-4 Brake equipment required 85.00 |
31-23-8 Horn required 85.00 |
31-23-10 Sirens prohibited 85.00 |
31-23-13 Muffler required 85.00 |
31-23-13.1 Altering height or operating a motor vehicle with an |
altered height 85.00 |
31-23-14 Prevention of excessive fumes or smoke 85.00 |
31-23-16 Windshield and window stickers (visibility) 85.00 |
31-23-17 Windshield wipers 85.00 |
31-23-19 Metal tires prohibited 85.00 |
31-23-20 Protuberances on tires 85.00 |
31-23-26 Fenders and wheel flaps required 85.00 |
31-23-27 Rear wheel flaps on buses, trucks, and trailers 85.00 |
31-23-29 Flares or red flag required over four thousand pounds |
(4,000 lbs.) 85.00 |
31-23-40 Approved types of seat belt requirements 85.00 |
31-23-42.1 Special mirror – school bus 85.00 |
31-23-43 Chocks required (1 pair) – over four thousand pounds |
(4,000 lbs.) 85.00 |
31-23-45 Tire treads – defective tires 85.00 |
31-23-47 Slow moving emblem required 85.00 |
31-23-49 Transportation of gasoline – passenger vehicle 85.00 |
31-23-51 Operating bike or motor vehicle wearing ear phones |
(first offense) 85.00 |
second offense 95.00 |
for the third and each subsequent offense 140.00 |
31-24-1 through 31-24-54 Times when lights required 85.00 |
31-25-3 Maximum width of one hundred and two inches (102") |
exceeded 85.00 |
31-25-4 Maximum height of one hundred sixty-two inches (162") |
exceeded 85.00 |
31-25-6 Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles 500.00 |
31-25-7 Load extending three feet (3') front, six feet (6') rear |
exceeded 85.00 |
31-25-9 Leaking load 85.00 |
31-25-11 Connections between coupled vehicles 85.00 |
31-25-12 Towing chain, twelve-inch (12") square flag required 85.00 |
31-25-12.1 Tow truck – use of lanes |
(first offense) 85.00 |
second offense 95.00 |
for the third and each subsequent offense 100.00 |
31-25-14(d)(1) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00 |
31-25-14(d)(2) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00 |
31-25-14(d)(3) Maximum weight and tandem axles 125.00 |
31-25-16(c)(2) Maximum weight shown in registration per thousand lbs. |
overweight or portion thereof 85.00 |
31-25-16(c)(3) Maximum weight shown in registration per thousand lbs. |
overweight or portion thereof. 125.00 |
31-25-16(c)(4) Maximum weight shown in registration 1,025.00 |
plus per thousand pounds overweight or portion thereof $125.00 |
31-25-17 Identification of trucks and truck-tractors |
(first offense) 85.00 |
(second offense) 95.00 |
for the third and subsequent offenses 125.00 |
31-25-24 Carrying and inspection of excess load limit 175.00 350.00 |
31-25-27(c) Maximum axle |
(first offense) 3,000.00 |
not to exceed 5,000.00 |
for each and every subsequent offense |
31-25-30 Maximum axle Pawtucket River Bridge and Sakonnet River |
Bridge |
(first offense) 3,000.00 |
not to exceed 5,000.00 |
for each and every subsequent offense |
31-27-2.3 Refusal to take preliminary breath test 85.00 |
31-28-7(d) Wrongful use of handicapped parking placard 500.00 |
31-28-7(f) Handicapped parking space violation: |
First offense 100.00 |
Second offense 175.00 |
Third offense and subsequent offenses 325.00 |
31-28-7.1(e) Wrongful use of institutional handicapped parking |
placard 125.00 |
31-33-2 Failure to file accident report 85.00 |
31-34-2 Proof of insurance – motor vehicle rental 85.00 |
31-34-3 Operation by person other than lessee 85.00 |
31-36.1-17 No fuel tax stamp (out-of-state) 85.00 |
and not exceeding for subsequent offense ($100) |
31-38-3 No inspection sticker 85.00 |
31-38-4 Violation of inspection laws 85.00 |
31-41.3-15 Automated school-zone-speed-enforcement system 50.00 |
31-47.2-6 Heavy-duty vehicle emission inspections: |
First offense 125.00 |
Second offense 525.00 |
Third and subsequent offenses 1,025.00 |
37-15-7 Littering not less than 55.00 |
not more than five hundred dollars ($500) |
39-12-26 Public carriers violation 300.00 |
SPEEDING Fine |
(A) One to ten miles per hour (1-10 mph m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit $ 95.00 |
(B) Eleven miles per hour (11 mph m.p.h.) in excess of posted speed limit with a fine 205.00 |
of ten dollars ($10.00) per mile in excess of speed limit shall be assessed. minimum |
(b) In addition to any other penalties provided by law, a judge may impose the following |
penalties for speeding: |
(1) For speeds up to and including ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed |
limit on public highways, a fine as provided for in subsection (a) of this section for the first offense; |
ten dollars ($10.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the second offense if |
within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile |
in excess of the speed limit for the third and any subsequent offense if within twelve (12) months |
of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to thirty (30) days. |
(2) For speeds in excess of ten miles per hour (10 m.p.h.) over the posted speed limit on |
public highways, a mandatory fine of ten dollars ($10.00) for each mile over the speed limit for the |
first offense; fifteen dollars ($15.00) per mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the |
second offense if within twelve (12) months of the first offense; and twenty dollars ($20.00) per |
mile for each mile in excess of the speed limit for the third and subsequent offense if within twelve |
(12) months of the first offense. In addition, the license may be suspended up to sixty (60) days. |
(c) Except for a technology surcharge assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11, any person |
charged with a violation who pays the fine administratively pursuant to this chapter shall not be |
subject to any additional costs or assessments, including, but not limited to, the hearing fee |
established in § 8-18-4. |
SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage. |
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LC005107 |
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