The following information about Rhode Island Oversize Permits is provided solely for reference. Please carefully review your permits and provisions sheets, as we cannot guarantee the accuracy of the information. For questions or assistance, contact the number provided.

Rhode Island DOT #:401-222-2450

Rhode Island Oversize Permits Duration

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.

Get Permit Now

Call (832) 454-5883 For Permit Consultation

Legal Dimensions for Rhode Island Oversize Load

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 at Rhode Island

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
Rhode island oversize permits image

Escort Requirements for Rhode Island Oversize Permits

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: In certain metropolitan areas, police escorts may be necessary.

Miscellaneous Information About Rhode Island:

Special hauling permits are not required for vehicles transporting poles, pipes, or other structurally integral materials unless the overall length exceeds 80′ and cannot be easily separated or dismembered.

Signs, Flags & Lights

Warning signs are mandatory for all oversized movements. For loads exceeding legal width, length, or rear overhang, “Oversize Load” signs must be displayed on the front of the vehicle and at the end of the load. Wide loads necessitate a minimum of two flags and up to six flags mounted at the widest points. Overlength vehicles or loads require one flag if the load is less than 2′ wide and two flags if it is greater than 2′ wide. For overhangs less than 2′, one flag is required, while overhangs greater than 2′ mandate two flags—one on each corner.