Rhode Island

Rhode Island General Laws — Title 31, Motor and Other Vehicles

1,125 sections, each with the official text and a plain-English explanation of what it means for you.

• § 31-23-45 — Tire treads
• § 31-23-46 — Department of environmental management — Vehicles
• § 31-23-47 — Slow moving vehicle emblems
• § 31-23-48 — Police cars — Extinguishers
• § 31-23-49 — Transportation of gasoline — Penalty
• § 31-23-5 — Performance ability of brakes
• § 31-23-50 — Motorcycle reflectorized plates
• § 31-23-51 — Earphones and headsets prohibited
• § 31-23-52 — Removal of catalytic converter prohibited
• § 31-23-53 — School bus public address sound system
• § 31-23-54 — School buses — Fire extinguishers
• § 31-23-55 — Speedometer and odometer
• § 31-23-56 — Stop arm required
• § 31-23-57 — Eye protection for motorcycle operators
• § 31-23-58 — Department of transportation — Vehicles — Backup warning device
• § 31-23-6 — Maintenance of brakes
• § 31-23-7 — Brakes on motor-driven cycles
• § 31-23-8 — Horn required
• § 31-23-9 — Theft alarm signals
• § 31-24-1 — Times when lights required
• § 31-24-10 — Rear reflectors required
• § 31-24-11 — Specifications for reflectors
• § 31-24-12 — Stop lamps required
• § 31-24-13 — Stop and turn lamps authorized
• § 31-24-14 — Specifications for stop or signal lamps
• § 31-24-15 — Mechanical signal devices self-illuminated
• § 31-24-16 — Spot lamps
• § 31-24-17 — Road lamps and fog lamps
• § 31-24-18 — Side cowl and fender lamps
• § 31-24-19 — Running board courtesy lamps
• § 31-24-2 — Means of measuring distance of visibility
• § 31-24-20 — Back up lamps
• § 31-24-21 — Lighting of farm tractors
• § 31-24-22 — Multiple beam lamps required
• § 31-24-23 — Use of multiple beam lamps
• § 31-24-24 — Single beam lamps
• § 31-24-25 — Specifications for head lamps on motor-driven cycles
• § 31-24-26 — Head lamps of slow vehicles
• § 31-24-27 — Display of lighted lamps required
• § 31-24-28 — Maximum number of lamps lighted
• § 31-24-29 — Maximum intensity of lights
• § 31-24-3 — Measurement of height of lamps
• § 31-24-30 — Red lights in front prohibited
• § 31-24-31 — Flashing lights — Forward viewing or rotary beam lights
• § 31-24-32 — Vehicles parked on lighted highways
• § 31-24-33 — Vehicles stopped on unlighted highways
• § 31-24-34 — Dimming of head lamps on parked vehicles
• § 31-24-35 — Lamps on animal-drawn, farm, and road vehicles
• § 31-24-36 — Vehicles requiring special lights and reflectors — Time of lighting
• § 31-24-37 — Clearance and marker lamps and reflectors
• § 31-24-38 — Color of clearance and marker lamps and reflectors
• § 31-24-39 — Mounting of reflectors
• § 31-24-4 — Head lamps on vehicles other than cycles
• § 31-24-40 — Mounting of clearance and side marker lamps
• § 31-24-41 — Visibility of reflectors
• § 31-24-42 — Visibility of front and rear clearance lamps
• § 31-24-43 — Visibility of side marker lamps
• § 31-24-44 — Obstructed lights not required
• § 31-24-45 — Projecting loads
• § 31-24-46 — Lights on snow removal equipment
• § 31-24-47 — Regulation and certification of lighting devices
• § 31-24-48 — Revocation of certification of lighting equipment
• § 31-24-49 — Approval of lighting equipment required
• § 31-24-5 — Head lamps on motorcycles and motor-driven cycles
• § 31-24-50 — Trademark or name shown on equipment
• § 31-24-51 — Mounting and adjustment of lamps
• § 31-24-52 — Hazard switch for flashing lights
• § 31-24-53 — Safety lights required on food vending vehicles
• § 31-24-54 — Strobe lights on school buses
• § 31-24-6 — Height of head lamps
• § 31-24-7 — Tail lamps required
• § 31-24-8 — Height of tail lamps
• § 31-24-9 — Illumination of rear registration plate — Wiring of rear lights in connection with head lamps
• § 31-25-1 — Compliance with chapter required
• § 31-25-10 — Fastening of load and covering
• § 31-25-11 — Connections between coupled vehicles
• § 31-25-12 — Flags on tow chains
• § 31-25-12.1 — Vehicles to be towed in right lane
• § 31-25-13 — Axle load limit
• § 31-25-14 — Maximum weight and tandem axles
• § 31-25-15 — Investigations as to safety of buses, trucks, and trailers
• § 31-25-16 — Authorized weight shown in registration — Exceeding limit
• § 31-25-17 — Identification of trucks and truck-tractors
• § 31-25-18 — Weighing of suspected overweight vehicles
• § 31-25-19 — Removal of excess from overweight vehicles
• § 31-25-2 — Vehicles exempt from limitations
• § 31-25-20 — Refusal to submit to weighing or removal of excess load
• § 31-25-21 — Power to permit excess size or weight of loads
• § 31-25-22 — Application for excess load permit
• § 31-25-23 — Conditions and restrictions on excess load permits
• § 31-25-24 — Carrying and inspection of permits
• § 31-25-25 — Seasonal weight restrictions by local authorities
• § 31-25-26 — Prohibition of commercial vehicles by local authorities
• § 31-25-27 — Weight restrictions
• § 31-25-27.1 — Weight restrictions on the Veterans Memorial Parkway — East Providence
• § 31-25-27.10 — Weight restrictions on Forest Avenue and Turner Road — Middletown
• § 31-25-27.11 — Weight restrictions on Limerock Road — Smithfield and Lincoln
• § 31-25-27.12 — Commercial vehicles prohibited on Chases Lane in Middletown
• § 31-25-27.2 — Weight restrictions on Route 114 — Bristol
• § 31-25-27.3 — Weight restrictions on Route 114 — Johnston
• § 31-25-27.4 — Weight restrictions on South Main Street — Coventry
• § 31-25-27.5 — Weight restrictions on state roadways — East Providence
• § 31-25-27.6 — Weight restrictions on Route 15 — Armistice Boulevard — Pawtucket
• § 31-25-27.7 — Weight restrictions on route 114 — Warren
• § 31-25-27.8 — Weight restrictions within North Smithfield town hall area
• § 31-25-27.9 — Weight restrictions on Smith Avenue in Smithfield
• § 31-25-28 — Liability for damages from oversize or overweight
• § 31-25-29 — Refuse-hauling vehicles — Exemption from permit
• § 31-25-3 — Maximum width
• § 31-25-4 — Maximum height
• § 31-25-5 — Maximum length of single vehicle and load
• § 31-25-6 — Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles
• § 31-25-7 — Front and rear extensions of load
• § 31-25-8 — Pole trailers
• § 31-25-9 — Prevention of leakage of load
• § 31-26-1 — Duty to stop in accidents resulting in personal injury
• § 31-26-10 — Accident report forms — Contents
• § 31-26-11 — Penalties for failure to report
• § 31-26-12 — Garage reports of bullet damage
• § 31-26-13 — Reports confidential — Use as evidence
• § 31-26-14 — Tabulation and publication of statistical information
• § 31-26-15 — Reports required by municipalities
• § 31-26-16 — Uniform statewide motor vehicle accident police report
• § 31-26-2 — Duty to stop in accidents resulting in damage to vehicle
• § 31-26-3 — Duty to give information and render aid
• § 31-26-3.1 — Duty to stop in accidents resulting in death or injury to domesticated animals
• § 31-26-3.2 — Immediate notice of accident
• § 31-26-3.3 — Duty to stop in accidents involving motor vehicles and bicycles not resulting in serious bodily injury or death — Duty to give information and render aid — Penalty
• § 31-26-4 — Duty on collision with unattended vehicle
• § 31-26-5 — Duty in accident resulting in damage to highway fixtures
• § 31-26-6 — Drivers required to make written reports
• § 31-26-7 — Supplemental reports
• § 31-26-8 — Reports by owner when driver incapable
• § 31-26-9 — Reports by law enforcement officers
• § 31-27-1 — Driving so as to endanger, resulting in death
• § 31-27-1.1 — Driving so as to endanger, resulting in serious personal injury
• § 31-27-1.2 — Driving so as to endanger, resulting in physical injury
• § 31-27-10 — Offenses by persons directing drivers
• § 31-27-11 — Vehicle used as bail
• § 31-27-12 — Service of notice — Summons
• § 31-27-12.1 — Preparation of summons and related records — Content and form
• § 31-27-12.2 — Distribution of books or pads
• § 31-27-12.3 — Preparation and disposition of records
• § 31-27-12.4 — Disposition of complaint only by court
• § 31-27-13 — Nature of offenses — Penalty
• § 31-27-14 — Penalty for felonies
• § 31-27-15 — Disposition of fines and forfeitures
• § 31-27-17 — Permitting juvenile to operate an unregistered motorcycle
• § 31-27-18 — Emergency medical services — Special assessment
• § 31-27-19 — Operating a motor vehicle on a bicycle lane, trail or path
• § 31-27-2 — Driving under influence of liquor or drugs
• § 31-27-2.1 — Refusal to submit to chemical test
• § 31-27-2.2 — Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in death
• § 31-27-2.3 — Revocation of license upon refusal to submit to preliminary breath test
• § 31-27-2.4 — Driving while in possession of controlled substances
• § 31-27-2.5 — Chemical tests to persons under eighteen (18) years of age — Refusal — License suspension
• § 31-27-2.6 — Driving under the influence of liquor or drugs, resulting in serious bodily injury
• § 31-27-2.7 — Driving while impaired
• § 31-27-2.8 — Ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing imposed as a part of sentence — Requirements
• § 31-27-2.9 — Administration of chemical test
• § 31-27-20 — Operation of a motor vehicle — Letter carrier
• § 31-27-21 — Community restitution
• § 31-27-22 — Street racing — Justin Nunes’ Law
• § 31-27-23 — Penalties for failure to comply with § 24-8-4.2
• § 31-27-24 — Multiple moving offenses
• § 31-27-25 — Ticket quotas prohibited
• § 31-27-3 — Right of person charged with operating under influence to physical examination
• § 31-27-3.1 — Annual Impaired Driving Report
• § 31-27-4 — Reckless driving and other offenses against public safety
• § 31-27-4.1 — Eluding a law enforcement officer with a motor vehicle in a high speed pursuit
• § 31-27-4.2 — Minimal requirements
• § 31-27-4.3 — Forfeiture of motor vehicle
• § 31-27-4.4 — Motor vehicle forfeiture procedure
• § 31-27-4.5 — Educational requirement
• § 31-27-5 — Motor carriers — Maximum driving and on-duty time
• § 31-27-6 — Lanes of operation
• § 31-27-7 — Commercial vehicles — Off-duty conditions — Emergency exceptions
• § 31-27-8 — Commercial vehicles — Penalty for excessive hours of driving
• § 31-27-9 — Parties to offenses
• § 31-28-1 — “Parking meter” defined
• § 31-28-10 — Parking spaces for persons transporting young children and strollers
• § 31-28-11 — Installation of electric vehicle charging stations — Definitions
• § 31-28-12 — Installation of electric vehicle charging stations — Designated parking spaces
• § 31-28-2 — Ordinances authorizing parking meters and meter zones
• § 31-28-3 — Unauthorized meters
• § 31-28-4 — Exemption of persons with disabilities from payment of fees
• § 31-28-6 — Overtime parking by persons with a disability exempt from fees
• § 31-28-7 — Motor vehicle plates for persons with disabilities — Entitlement — Designated parking spaces — Violations
• § 31-28-7.1 — Motor vehicle placards for group care facilities, government agencies, nonprofit organizations, or companies serving people with disabilities
• § 31-28-7.10 — Special legislative commission to study the disability parking placard system
• § 31-28-7.3 — Disability parking enforcement program
• § 31-28-8 — Use of meters for charitable contributions
• § 31-28-9 — Owner’s liability for parking tickets
• § 31-29-1 — Reciprocity board established
• § 31-29-2 — Entry into reciprocal agreements — Scope of agreements
• § 31-29-3 — Authority exercised by governor
• § 31-29-4 — Agreements subject to statutes — Discretion of governor
• § 31-29-5 — Disability parking reciprocity agreements
• § 31-29-6 — Driver License Compact Reciprocity Agreement
• § 31-3-1 — Operation of unregistered vehicle