§ 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 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 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 or persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the bridge gross weight formula, as defined in this section, are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-16(c)(2) through (c)(4).
History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 35, § 8; P.L. 1950 (s.s.), ch. 2639, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-25-14; P.L. 1984, ch. 429, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 195, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 170, § 1; P.L. 1992, ch. 345, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 86, § 86; P.L. 2002, ch. 58, § 5; P.L. 2022, ch. 178, § 1, effective June 27, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 179, § 1, effective June 27, 2022.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles
Chapter 31-25 - Size, Weight, and Load Limits
Section 31-25-1. - Compliance with chapter required.
Section 31-25-2. - Vehicles exempt from limitations.
Section 31-25-3. - Maximum width.
Section 31-25-4. - Maximum height.
Section 31-25-5. - Maximum length of single vehicle and load.
Section 31-25-6. - Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles.
Section 31-25-7. - Front and rear extensions of load.
Section 31-25-8. - Pole trailers.
Section 31-25-9. - Prevention of leakage of load.
Section 31-25-10. - Fastening of load and covering.
Section 31-25-11. - Connections between coupled vehicles.
Section 31-25-12. - Flags on tow chains.
Section 31-25-12.1. - Vehicles to be towed in right lane.
Section 31-25-13. - Axle load limit.
Section 31-25-14. - Maximum weight and tandem axles.
Section 31-25-15. - Investigations as to safety of buses, trucks, and trailers.
Section 31-25-16. - Authorized weight shown in registration — Exceeding limit.
Section 31-25-17. - Identification of trucks and truck-tractors.
Section 31-25-18. - Weighing of suspected overweight vehicles.
Section 31-25-19. - Removal of excess from overweight vehicles.
Section 31-25-20. - Refusal to submit to weighing or removal of excess load.
Section 31-25-21. - Power to permit excess size or weight of loads.
Section 31-25-22. - Application for excess load permit.
Section 31-25-23. - Conditions and restrictions on excess load permits.
Section 31-25-24. - Carrying and inspection of permits.
Section 31-25-25. - Seasonal weight restrictions by local authorities.
Section 31-25-26. - Prohibition of commercial vehicles by local authorities.
Section 31-25-27. - Weight restrictions.
Section 31-25-27.1. - Weight restrictions on the Veterans Memorial Parkway — East Providence.
Section 31-25-27.2. - Weight restrictions on Route 114 — Bristol.
Section 31-25-27.3. - Weight restrictions on Route 114 — Johnston.
Section 31-25-27.4. - Weight restrictions on South Main Street — Coventry.
Section 31-25-27.5. - Weight restrictions on state roadways — East Providence.
Section 31-25-27.6. - Weight restrictions on Route 15 — Armistice Boulevard — Pawtucket.
Section 31-25-27.7. - Weight restrictions on route 114 — Warren.
Section 31-25-27.8. - Weight restrictions within North Smithfield town hall area.
Section 31-25-27.9. - Weight restrictions on Smith Avenue in Smithfield.
Section 31-25-27.10. - Weight restrictions on Forest Avenue and Turner Road — Middletown.
Section 31-25-27.11. - Weight restrictions on Limerock Road — Smithfield and Lincoln.
Section 31-25-27.12. - Commercial vehicles prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown.
Section 31-25-28. - Liability for damages from oversize or overweight.
Section 31-25-29. - Refuse-hauling vehicles — Exemption from permit.