Rhode Island Transport

Rhode Island Oversize Permits & Escort Information

WE ARE NOT A PERMIT SERVICE NOR DO WE ARRANGE PERMITS FOR CARRIERS.  THIS IS STRICTLY JUST FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES.  WE DO NOT ENSURE THE ACCURACY OF THE BELOW INFORMATION SO BE SURE TO READ YOUR PERMIT SHEETS CAREFULLY!

Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Phone Number: (401) 222-2450

PERMITS: Rhode Island oversize permits are valid for five days.

OPERATING TIME: Travel permitted one-half hour before sunrise to one-half hour after sunset. No weekend travel permitted.

RESTRICTED TRAVEL: No travel on major holidays and on VJ Day (2nd Monday in August). Movement may be restricted after 12:00 noon the day before a holiday.

LEGAL DIMENSIONS

Length:

• Interstate and designated highways – 53′ semitrailer (kingpin to center line of rear axle group must not exceed 41′)
• Other roads 48′ semitrailer

Overhang:

• 3′ front
• 6′ rear

Width: 8’6″

Height: 13′ 6″

Weight: 80,000 Gross

• • Single – 22,400
  • Tandem – 36,000
  • Tridem – 42,000 with axles spacings less than 4’6″, 42,750 with 4’6″

ROUTINE PERMIT LIMITS

Length: *

Width: *

Height: *

*Determined by routes and dimensions

Weight:

• Determined by spacings, usually 22,500 per axle is permitted
• 5 Axles 6 Axles or 7 Axles – depends on spacings, weight and routing
• Over 200,000 pounds, an outside engineering firm must survey the routes

ESCORTS

Length:

• Over 80′ – 1 escort
• Over 90′ – 2 escorts

Overhang: Over 15′ – 1 escort

Width:

• Over 12′ – 1 escort
• Over 14’6″ – 2 escorts

Height: Over 14′ – 1 escort

Note: Some metropolitan areas may require police escorts

MISCELLANEOUS: Vehicles hauling poles, pipes, and other material of a structural nature that cannot be separated or readily dismembered do not need a special hauling permit unless the overall length exceeds 80′.

SIGNS & FLAGS: Warning signs are required for all oversize movements. “Oversize Load” signs are to be displayed on front of vehicle and on the end of the load for all loads exceeding legal width, length or rear overhang.  Wide loads require at least two flags and up to six flags mounted at the widest extremities. Over length vehicles/loads require one flag if load is less than 2′ wide, and two flags if load is greater than 2′ wide. Less than 2′ of overhang requires one flag; greater than 2′ of overhang, two flags required – one on each corner.