§ 31-1-4. Trucks and tractors.
(a) “Covered heavy-duty tow and recovery vehicle” means a vehicle that is transporting a disabled vehicle from the place where the vehicle became disabled to the nearest appropriate repair facility; and, provided the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight that is equal to or exceeds the gross vehicle weight of the disabled vehicle being transported.
(b) “Farm tractor” means every motor vehicle designed and used primarily as a farm implement, for drawing plows, mowing machines, and other implements of husbandry or farm vehicles.
(c) “Tow cars and tow trucks” means every motor vehicle ordinarily used for the purpose of towing or removing motor vehicles or assisting disabled motor vehicles.
(d)(1) “Trailer transporter towing unit” means a power unit that is not used to carry property when operating in a towaway trailer transporter combination.
(2) “Towaway trailer transporter combination” means a combination of vehicles consisting of a trailer transporter towing unit and two (2) trailers or semitrailers:
(i) With a total weight that does not exceed twenty-six thousand pounds (26,000 lbs.); and
(ii) In which the trailers or semitrailers carry no property and constitute inventory property of a manufacturer, distributor, or dealer of the trailers or semitrailers.
(e) “Truck” means every motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the transportation of property. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall determine, in case of doubt, if a motor vehicle is subject to registration as a truck.
(f) “Truck tractor” means a non-cargo-carrying power unit that operates in combination with a semi-trailer or trailer, except that a truck tractor and a semi-trailer or trailer engaged in the transportation of automobiles may transport motor vehicles on part of the power unit.
History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 3; P.L. 1951, ch. 2826, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-1-4; P.L. 1983, ch. 294, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 324, § 9; P.L. 2018, ch. 39, § 1; P.L. 2018, ch. 45, § 1.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-1 - Definitions and General Code Provisions
Section 31-1-1. - Short title.
Section 31-1-2. - Applicability of definitions.
Section 31-1-3. - Types of vehicles.
Section 31-1-3.1. - Autocycles.
Section 31-1-4. - Trucks and tractors.
Section 31-1-6. - Specially constructed and reconstructed vehicles.
Section 31-1-7. - Foreign vehicle.
Section 31-1-8. - Farm vehicle.
Section 31-1-9. - Mobile equipment.
Section 31-1-10. - Types of tires.
Section 31-1-11. - Railroads and trains.
Section 31-1-12. - Explosives and flammable liquids.
Section 31-1-13. - Gross weight.
Section 31-1-15. - Suspension, revocation, and cancellation.
Section 31-1-16. - Administrator and division.
Section 31-1-17. - Types of persons.
Section 31-1-18. - Resident and nonresident.
Section 31-1-19. - Types of business.
Section 31-1-20. - Established place of business.
Section 31-1-21. - Enforcement officers.
Section 31-1-22. - Local authorities.
Section 31-1-23. - Types of roads.
Section 31-1-24. - Intersection.
Section 31-1-26. - Safety zone.
Section 31-1-27. - Business and residence districts.
Section 31-1-28. - Types of traffic control devices.
Section 31-1-30. - Right-of-way.