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Rhode Island Oversize Overweight Permits Rules and Regulations
Rhode Island Oversize Overweight permits Validity: Oversize permits issued in Rhode Island remain valid for a total of three consecutive days. Drivers are required to secure the permit before entering the state.
Rhode Island Traveling Time with Oversize Load: Travel is generally permitted from 30 minutes after sunrise until 30 minutes before sunset, Monday through Saturday. Sunday travel is not allowed unless the load is within certain size limits. Loads not exceeding 12 feet wide, 13 feet 6 inches high, 99 feet long, 150,000 pounds GVW, and 4 feet rear overhang may travel any day, including Sundays, at any hour. Night travel with widths over 10 feet requires an escort.
Rhode Island Holiday Restriction: Moving oversize or overweight vehicles on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, the afternoon before these holidays, or Sundays is generally not allowed unless specified otherwise on the permit.
Rhode Island Road/Bridge Restriction with Oversize Load:
Rhode Island follows the federal bridge formula to determine specific bridge limits. Oversize movements may also face restrictions in certain cases, including:
- Driving through construction zones
- Ignoring warning signals in work areas
- Failing to yield to law enforcement, emergency vehicles, or other authorized personne
Note: Certain bridges may prohibit the movement of oversize or overweight loads altogether
Oversize load Seasonal Restriction in Rhode Island:
Although frost laws apply in many northern states and Canadian provinces, Rhode Island does not have specific seasonal weight restrictions. However, certain conditions might be specified on your oversize load permit depending on the cargo type and weight
Rhode Island Oversize Overweight Permits Tire Regulations:
- Tires must have at least one inch of rubber extending beyond the flange of the rim.
- No part of the tire may protrude beyond the rubber unless necessary for safety.
- Tires must be in good operating condition, properly inflated, and have a minimum tread depth of 4/32 inch on the front axle.
Tire Chain Laws/Regulations for oversize load in Rhode Island:
Between April 1 and November 1, it is prohibited to operate vehicles with tires containing metal or carbide studs on Rhode Island highways. However, tire chains may be used when snow, ice, or other conditions make highways hazardous, provided their use is necessary for safety
Rhode Island Oversize Overweight Permits Legal Dimensions/Size Limit
Rhode Island Legal Length:
- Maximum trailer length: 53 feet
- Maximum overall length: 99 feet
Allowed Overhang Without a Permit in Rhode Island: Allowed overhangs with up to a 53 feet trailer
- Front: 3′
- Rear: up to 14 feet 11 inches
Rhode Island Wide Load Limit: Maximum width is 8 feet 6 inches
Rhode Island Legal Height: Maximum allowable height is 13 feet 6 inches
Rhode Island Legal Weight Limit: 80,000 pounds
Axle Weight Limits:
- Single Axle: 20,000 pounds
- Tandem Axles: 34,000 pounds
- Tridem Axles: 42,000 pounds.
Maximum Load Dimensions with permits in Rhode Island
Limits vary depending on the specific route, distance, and any bridge crossings involved
Length: Permitted up to 120 feet overall.
Width: Permitted up to 16 feet
Rhode Island Wide Load Requirements
- Any load wider than 8 feet 6 inches (or 8 feet on non-designated roads) requires a permit).
- Loads up to 12 feet wide must have red flags, at least 18 inches square, at all corners.
- Oversized loads must have warning signs at both the front and rear, featuring black lettering on a yellow background for visibility.
- Flashing amber lights should be positioned at the rear of the load or vehicle when indicated.
Escorts:
- 13′+ wide on two-lane roads: lead escort + rear amber lights.
- 13′+ wide on divided highways: rear escort + amber lights.
- 20′+ wide: police escort may be required.
Rhode Island Wide Load Restrictions
No travel on New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Sundays, or after noon before these holidays (unless permit states otherwise).
Loads 12′ wide may travel at night.
Movement is restricted in construction zones, on certain bridges, and where law enforcement or emergency vehicles require priority.
While there are no formal frost laws, some seasonal restrictions might apply, depending on the permit.
Height:
- Loads up to 15 feet 6 inches in height are allowed without a survey. Anything taller requires a route survey
- Up to 16 feet permitted (anything over 16 feet requires a route survey, utility company approvals, and special authorization
Weight:
- Single axle: 20,000 pounds
- Tandem axle: 48,000 pounds
- Tridem axle: The maximum allowed for a tridem axle is 57,000 pounds, or 63,000 pounds on interstate routes
- Quad axle: A quad axle may carry up to 64,000 pounds, or up to 72,000 pounds on interstates
What Are The Requirements For a Pilot Car In Rhode Island
Length-Based:
- Loads over 95 feet long: at least one escort (some routes require two)
- Loads over 105 feet long: two escorts
- If the load overhangs the front or rear by more than 15 feet, one escort vehicle is necessary
Width:
- Over 13 feet wide: one escort
- Over 16 feet wide: two escorts
- Night travel by loads over 10 feet in width must include at least one escort
Height:
- A height pole escort could be mandated by the DOT if the route presents specific challenges.
- When the height exceeds 15 feet 7 inches, a route survey is compulsory
Signage, Flashing Amber lights and flags Requirements and Rhode Island Additional Information
Signage, Flashing Amber Lights and Flags:
Vehicles or loads that exceed 12 feet in width are required to display signs indicating they are oversized. Any load wider than 10 feet requires red flags on all corners. If the load exceeds 12 feet in width, flashing amber lights must be placed at the rear, and flags should be mounted on the front corners or load edges. Loads that are overlength or have a rear overhang greater than 4 feet must also be flagged
Additional Information:
For overweight bulldozers, the blade must be attached during transport. If the blade is removed, it must be hauled as a separate load
Superload Permits:
The definition of a superload varies by state (see “Routine Permit Limits” for specific thresholds). Approval for superload permits may take one to two weeks in some states. Expect delays, as additional documents such as shipper letters, route surveys, or engineering clearances by district may be required. Measure your load carefully just an extra inch or two in height could significantly impact routing and approval time
Rhode Island Oversize Overweight Permits fee:
The cost of oversize and overweight permits in Rhode Island depends on the type of load, its size, weight, and permit type. Single-trip permits generally start at $10 or $25, while annual and blanket permits can range from $100 to several thousand dollars, depending on the load’s characteristics and requirements.
Single Trip Permits
General Single-Trip OSOW Permit
Permits are issued for oversize or overweight loads that are non-divisible and exceed standard limits. Valid for up to three consecutive days.
- Oversize Single Trip: $10.00
- Overweight Single Trip: $0.05 per 1,000 pounds per mile
- Legal Trip Permit (72-hour legal trip permit or IRP trip permit): $25.00
Annual and Blanket Permits
- Overall length: 99 feet
- Width: 14 feet
- Height: 13 feet 6 inches
- Fee starts at $100
Special Heavy Haul Blanket Permit
Covers loads up to:
- 150,000 pounds gross weight
- 12 feet wide
- 13 feet 6 inches high
- 99 feet long
- Cost: $4,500 annually
Other Blanket Permit Fees:
- Timber Blanket: $10 per trip / $100 per year
- Harvest Permit: $25
- Hay Blanket: $100
- Port Permit: $170 per year
- Overlength Trailer Blanket: $100
- Pole Blanket: $200
- Two-Piece Load Logging Blanket: $200
- 57-Foot Box Van Trailer Blanket: $100
Superload Permits
- IRP Trip Permit (7-Day): $20.00
- IFTA Fuel Permit (7-Day): $20.00
- Combined Trip & Fuel Permit (7-Day): $40.00
Operators traveling interstate under IRP and IFTA regulations must hold an IRP plate, cab card, and IFTA license with decals before beginning operations.
Fuel Permits (IFTA):
Out-of-state carriers need to secure an IFTA fuel permit when operating in Rhode Island. This ensures fuel use tax compliance, and drivers must carry fuel receipts in their vehicle .
Oversize/Overweight Load Fines in Rhode Island:
Fines for oversize or overweight loads in Rhode Island typically begin at $10 for a first offense where the excess weight is up to 1,999 lbs. Penalties can exceed $1,000, depending on how much the load surpasses legal weight limits. In certain situations, hauling an oversize or overweight load without a valid permit may also lead to up to 30 days in jail
FAQ’s
You can contact at (270)908-9656 Express Heavy Haul for Rhode Island Oversize Permits.
An oversize load in Rhode Island refers to any vehicle or combination of vehicles and loads that exceed the legal size and weight limits set by the state. Vehicles exceeding regular limits for height, width, length, or weight must obtain special permits to travel legally on public highways.
The maximum dimensions allowed under permit in Rhode Island can vary depending on the route and conditions. Generally, loads beyond 16 feet wide, 16 feet high, 150 feet long, or weighing over 250,000 pounds are considered superloads and may need special routing, additional permits, and escort vehicles.
The maximum legal height for a vehicle in Rhode Island without a permit is 15 feet. Any height above the standard legal maximum requires an oversize permit.
The legal maximum width without a permit in Rhode Island is 8 feet 6 inches (102 inches). Any load wider than the allowed limit must secure an appropriate oversize permit.
Rhode Island’s oversize regulations govern the movement of vehicles exceeding legal size or weight limits. Carriers must obtain appropriate permits before operating such loads, adhere to route restrictions, and comply with escort and safety requirements.
The cost of a wide load permit in Rhode Island depends on the size and type of load. As of the latest guidelines, fees typically start at around $25 to $100 for single trip permits, with additional charges for larger or heavier loads.
Yes, Rhode Island allows the use of electronic oversize permits, which can be downloaded and shown digitally on a mobile device, provided they are legible and accessible during inspections.
Generally, oversize loads are allowed to move only during daylight hours, defined as 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Night travel may be permitted for certain loads, but only with prior approval noted on the permit.
Escort vehicle requirements in Rhode Island depend on the size of the load. Typically, one or more pilot cars are required for loads wider than 12 feet or taller than 15 feet, and police escorts may be necessary for extremely large or heavy shipments.
Oversize rules in Rhode Island include obtaining permits in advance, adhering to designated travel times, displaying appropriate signs and lighting, and using escorts when required. These regulations are in place to ensure public safety and minimize road damage.
Any load exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width is classified as oversize in Rhode Island and requires a permit.
Oversize vehicles are generally allowed to operate from 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset, Monday through Saturday. Travel on Sundays and holidays is usually restricted unless specifically allowed by the permit.
Nighttime movement of oversize loads is not typically permitted in Rhode Island. Exceptions may be granted for certain routes or under specific conditions, but they must be clearly stated in the issued permit.
A single trip permit for Rhode Island can be ordered through Our Website Express Heavy Haul, or by calling us at (270)908-9656
Oversize load travel is allowed during daylight hours only, which is 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. No movement is allowed on major holidays or Sundays unless authorized.
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Get Your Rhode Island Oversize Overweight Permits - Trucking Permits
If your vehicle exceeds those numbers, it’s likely overweight or hauling an oversize load. Let Express Heavyhaul Trucking Permits help get you your Rhode Island oversize overweight permits. State Direct. 24/7 Live Service. Order Online Today. Trip & Fuel Combo Permits. Types: Oversize, Overweight, Trip.
