Rhode Island § 31-25-2 - Size, Weight, and Load Limits

§ 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 that is weight restricted for the vehicle load.