Rhode Island OS/OD Overview
Permit Required
Yes – all oversize or overweight loads must have a permit from the Rhode Island Department of Transportation (RIDOT), Division of Motor Carriers.
Legal Limits (Without Permit)
- Width: 8'6"
- Height: 13'6"
- Length: 75' (combo); 53' trailer allowed
- Weight: 80,000 lbs GVW
Permitted Load Maximums (Typical Upper Limits)
- Width: Up to 18' with escort
- Height: Over 14' requires route survey and utility coordination
- Length: Over 120' requires review and escorts
- Weight: Over 130,000 lbs with engineering review and axle spacing
Superloads require advance application, bridge analysis, and may need local police escort depending on the route.
Travel Hours
- Standard: ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset
- Weekend: No travel allowed after noon on Saturday or any time Sunday
- Holidays: No travel on major holidays or after 12:00 PM the day before
- Night travel: Generally not permitted unless specified for small loads with lights
Escort Requirements (General Guidelines)
| Dimension | Escort Requirement |
|---|---|
| Width > 12' | 1 Escort (rear on 4-lane, front on 2-lane) |
| Width > 14' | 2 Escorts (front and rear) |
| Height > 14' | High pole escort required with route verification |
| Length > 120' | 1 or more escorts as determined by RIDOT |
Additional Notes
- All loads must display “Oversize Load” signs, red/orange flags, and amber lights
- Many bridges and secondary roads in Rhode Island have low clearance or weight restrictions—review routes closely
- Permits are issued via the Rhode Island Online Oversize/Overweight Permit System
Detailed Information
PERMITS: Permits 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: Width: 8'6" Height: 13' 6" 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 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: Width: * Height: * Length: * *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: Width: Over 12' – 1 escort, over 14'6" – 2 escorts Height: Over 14' – 1 escort Length: Over 80' – 1 escort, over 90' – 2 escorts Overhang: Over 15' – 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. Overlength 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.