Federal & State Regulations | Oversize and overweight movements - Rhode Island

General requirements

Reducible expectations	Generally, the Department will issue permits to loads and vehicles that cannot reasonably be reduced, dismantled, or otherwise separated. A vehicle carrying fluid milk products is considered a load that cannot be easily dismantled or divided. Divisible load permits may be issued to overweight vehicles.
Permit timing	Applications for extra-large vehicle or load permits shall be submitted at least five days in advance to allow sufficient time for review by the Department.
Method of application	Application for all OS/OW permits are required to be submitted through the Rhode Island DMV/DOT Oversize Overweight on-line Permitting System service. Applicants may also use J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc., Trip Permits, at (800) 231-5266. The one exception is permits for reducible loads which will can be accommodated through the traditional paper process.
Payments accepted	There are two ways to pay for permits issued through the Rhode Island DMV/DOT Oversize Overweight on-line Permitting System service. Subscribers that have opted to pay a yearly subscription service fee and credit card payments.
Electronic permits	While enforcement can verify the validity of the permit, the driver is required by law to have a paper copy of the permit in the vehicle during the trip.
Route surveys	The planned route must be supplied when applying for a permit. In certain cases, the Department of Transportation will carefully review this information to ensure that most appropriate route is chosen given the size and load parameters of the application.

Insurance requirements

Liability	The mover must assume all responsibility for any damages to road surface, traffic lights, bridges, or other structures and all liability in case of injury to person or property.
Coverage	Liability and property damage insurance in sufficient amounts to cover any and all claims that may arise must be carried by the permittee, and under this coverage the State of Rhode Island must be saved harmless from any claims. Where there is a possibility that a move may damage highway facilities, the applicant must deposit a certified check or other security in an amount to be determined by the Department. A copy of the liability insurance must be filed with the office of the Chief Engineer. In special cases, however, a special surety bond is to be furnished to the Department in lieu of adequate liability insurance.

Available permits and fees

General
Permit Period	Conditions	Fee
Single trip non-divisible	Movement of nondivisible vehicles or loads	$40
Annual	Construction blanket permit for sizes and/or weights	$400
Divisible Fees for Out-of-State Registered
Trailers	Flat fee	$100
Single unit axle trucks	For each 1,000 lbs over legal limits ($1,500 maximum)	$50 per
Tractors	For each 1,000 lbs over legal limits • Maximum fee $1,250	$50 per
All	Transfer fee	$10
All	Fees expire March 31	-

Super loads - Rhode Island

Permit limitations

Permit limitations
Width	Issuing authorities set the maximum limits, based on routes to be traveled and other conditions
Height	Subject to overhead clearances along the proposed route
Length	The limits depend on the vehicle and load and the routes to be traveled
Weight	The limits depend on the vehicle, load, and the routes to be traveled
Configuration	Limitations
Single unit axle trucks	• Legal axle weight • 76,650 lbs gross for three-plus axles • May not exceed GVWR
Tractors	• 62,000 lbs 3-axle combinations • 87,000 lbs 4-axle combinations • 104,800 lbs 5-plus axle combinations
Construction blanket permit	The Department may issue annual construction blanket permits for nonreducible loads: Overall length: • 55' minimum • 80' maximum Maximum width: • 12' 4" Maximum weights: • 130,000 lbs gross (minimum of 6 axles) • 25,000 lbs axle

Signs

General sign requirement	Required on the front of the vehicle and rear of the load.
Escort sign requirement	Required on the front or rear of escort vehicle as appropriate. Upon delivery of the oversized load, the signs shall be removed or covered, so that they are no longer visible.
	Type	Size	Lettering	Background
General signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	7' x 18"	Black 10" with 1.4" brushstrokes	Yellow
Escort signs	OVERSIZE LOAD	5' x 12"	Black 10" with 1.4" brushstrokes	Yellow

Lights

General light requirements	There are no special lighting required on load vehicles. However, load vehicles must travel with low beam headlights on at all times.
Escort light requirements	Warning lights are required. Escort vehicles will also travel with low beam headlights on at all times.
	Type	Placement
General light type and placement	NS	NS
Escort light type and placement	Flashing yellow lights	Mounted above the highest point of the vehicle and visible from the front and rear.

Flags

	Type	Size	Placement
General Flags	Red or orange fluorescent	18" square	All warning flags will be secured by at least one corner or mounted on a staff. Overwidth loads: • At least two and up to six flags will be mounted at the widest extremity of the load, depending upon the load configuration. Overlength loads or loads with rear- or front-end overhang in excess of 4': • Display 1 flag at the end of the overhang if less than 2' wide, and two flags if the overhang is over 2' wide.
Escort Flags	NS	NS	NS

Escort vehicle markings

Size	Placement	Content
NS	NS	NS

Escort and flagpersons requirements

Escorts are required as follows:

Load Condition	Escort Requirements
Widths of 12 ft to 14 ft 6 in.	One escort, except that 12-ft wide cranes moved under their own power on two-lane highways require two escorts
Width over 14 ft 6 in.	Two escorts
Heights of 14 ft or over	One escort to be placed where it can best be utilized
Lengths between 80 ft and 90 ft	One escort
Lengths over 90 ft	Two escorts
Overhang is 15 ft or more	One escort vehicle is required if the (there may be special circumstances where a second escort vehicle will be required for safety)

Widths less than 12 feet, or lengths less than 80 feet normally do not require an escort. No escort vehicle is required if overhang is less than 15 feet with proper flags displayed.

In certain metropolitan areas police escorts may be required.

Flagpersons

The driver of an escort vehicle or a flagperson must give special attention to traffic where roadway width is a problem or at narrow bridges, etc.

Escort car/Company requirements

Escort vehicles are required to be at least the size of a compact car or larger. The Department usually requires escorts to display OVERSIZE LOAD or WIDE LOAD signs and flashing yellow lights. The signs are to be at least five feet long and 12 inches high with 10-inch-high letters with a 1.4-inch brush stroke. Escort vehicles will also travel with low beam headlights on at all times. Escorts and transporters are also required to be in communication via two-way radio. However, the non-emergency use by pilot or escort vehicle drivers of portable electronic devices is prohibited.

The state specifies no qualifications for escort drivers.

Travel restrictions

Daytime	Most permitted vehicles may travel on designated routes from 30-minutes prior to sunrise until 30-minutes after sunset. No night-time travel is authorized except for envelope vehicles which are overweight only and are capable of traveling with the traffic flow are not restricted to daylight travel time. For vehicles that are over 80' long, over 8' 6" wide or over 130,000 pounds, no travel will be allowed between the hours of 7:00 am and 9:00 am or between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
Weekend	Not stated - follow permit limits
Holidays	For vehicles that are over 80' long, over 8' 6" wide or over 130,000 pounds, no travel will be allowed: No Saturday, Sunday, or Monday day or night travel: • Memorial Day, • Victory Day, • Labor Day • Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day • Columbus Day No day or night travel and no travel the previous night: • New Year's Day • Independence Day • Veterans Day • Christmas Day Easter - no Saturday night or Sunday travel Thanksgiving week - no travel on Wednesday through Sunday.
Visibility	Permission to travel is always subject to weather and road conditions. No travel is allowed when road conditions, weather conditions, or visibility make traveling hazardous to the operator or to the driving public. Vehicles which are underway when inclement weather occurs must exit the road at the first available location and park in a safe place until the weather clears, or until the road conditions improve.

['Size and Weight Limits']

['Oversize and Overweight Movements']

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Oversize and overweight movements - Rhode Island