Rhode Island Transportation Manual for Modular Homes

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This article examines the laws and regulations governing the transportation of modular homes within the State of Rhode Island and is available for use solely as a resource. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this article, use of the information contained on this page constitutes agreement and understanding that the Modular Building Systems Association (MBSA) is in no way responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information contained herein and that the MBSA is not responsible for any situations that arise from reliance on the within information. This includes errors, omissions or changes to any law or regulation that are not reflected in this document.

Detailed advice and assistance with transportation issues pertaining to the transportation of modular homes is available to members of the MBSA as part of their membership. If you require advice or consultation on the transportation of modular homes, please join the MBSA.

Finally, please note that this document does not detail transportation requirements for the Rhode Island Turnpike. If you will be using the Rhode Island Turnpike, please visit the Modular Wikipedia's Rhode Island Turnpike Transportation Manual for Modular Homes.

NOTE: Very limited information is accessible relating to oversize hauling permits in Rhode Island. Please call (401) 722-4764 with any questions. The following Rhode Island information, with the exception of the New England Transportation Consortium Overlimit Permit Program information, has not changed since 1989.

Legal Limits:

Combination Length: No Regulations
Mobile Home Length: 60 feet
Width: 8 Feet 6 Inches
Height: 13 Feet 6 Inches

Loads shall not extend more than three feet (3') beyond the foremost part of the vehicle, and the load upon any vehicle, operated alone or the load upon the rear vehicle of a combination of vehicles, shall not extend more than six feet (6') beyond the rear of the bed or body of the vehicle. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in

Permit Limits:

Limits

Combination Length: 95'
Mobile Home Length: 80'
Width - Box: 14'
Overall: 14' 6"
Height - MH: 13' 8"

More Information

Rhode Island, along with the States of Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont, is a member of the New England Transportation Consortium Overlimit Permit Program. Under this program, one state may issue an overlimit permit for an interstate move in two or more states. To qualify, the vehicle and load may not exceed:
- Combination Length: 90 Feet
- Width: 14 Feet (additional 6 inch overhang allowed for modular or mobile homes)
- Height: 13 Feet 6 Inches
Vehicles exceeding these limits must obtain separate permits in each applicable state.
Trip permit fee. A fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be paid to the division of motor vehicles for the issuance of each non-reducible vehicle or load permit.
Annual fee. A fee of one hundred dollars ($100) paid to the division of motor vehicles shall exempt the payor from the necessity of paying trip permit fees. However, payment of the fee shall not be deemed to authorize non-compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the department of administration entitled "State of Rhode Island Manual for Overweight and Oversize Vehicle Permits".
Blanket permits may be issued, as determined by the department of administration, for intrastate movement of non-reducible loads upon payment of the appropriate fee. The permits may not exceed one year and shall be limited to a maximum overall length of seventy-five feet (75') and maximum overall width of eleven feet, eleven inches (11' 11").

State Permit Fee:

Oversize Permit Office (401)-588-3011
Via wire - valid five days - $20.
Six-month permit available, assigned to truck - $100.
Application must be in writing, not transferable.
Maximums: 11' 11" wide, 75' overall length, legal height.
New England Transportation Consortium Five-State Permit available.

Towing Vehicle:

No regulations.

Escort(s):

A two-axle truck or passenger will suffice as an escort vehicle.
No escorts required up to 11' 11" wide.
One escort required for loads 12' up to 14' 5" wide, over 14' high and over 80' in combination length.
Two escorts required for loads 14' 6" or more wide and/or over 90' in combination length.
Engineer approval must be given before any loads over 90' in combination length or over 14' wide may be moved over state highways.
Radio communication must be maintained between towing and escort vehicle(s).

Signs:

"Oversize Load" or "Wide Load" sign is to be displayed on front of towing vehicle and rear of mobile home. Sign shall be 7' x 18" with black 10" letters with a 1 1/2 " stroke on a yellow background.
Escort vehicle shall display "Oversize Load" or "Wide Load" sign to be visible to front and rear. Sign shall be 5' x 12" with black 10" letters with a 1 1/2" stroke on a yellow background.

Flags:

Red flags, at least 18" square, must be displayed at all four corners of the mobile home.

Lights:

Read permit carefully for specific requirements.
Towing vehicle and escort vehicle(s) will travel with low beam headlights on at all times.

Hours of Travel:

Travel allowed from sunrise to sunset, Monday through Friday.
Over 12' wides, on all of I-195 and I-95 from Massachusetts/Rhode Island state line to SR 37, travel is allowed from sunrise to 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
No movement on Saturday, Sunday or holidays. If holiday occurs on a Sunday, no travel allowed on Monday. If holiday occurs on Saturday, no travel allowed after 12 noon the preceding Friday. If holiday occurs during the week, no travel allowed after 12 noon the day preceding the holiday.

Weather Conditions:

No specific weather related restrictions.

Miscellaneous Information:

No convoy movements allowed. All permitted loads must maintain at least one 30- minute interval or ten mile separation.
Vehicles over 9' wide crossing the Jamestown Bridge require a police escort. Call 401-432-1212 to schedule travel time and arrange payment of fees.
Legal holidays: January 1, Memorial Day, July 4, Victory Day (second Monday in August), Labor Day, Columbus Day, Veterans Day, Election Day (Tuesday after the first Monday in November, even years), Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day.
The distance from the kingpin of the trailer to the center of the rear axle may not exceed forty-one feet.
Fifty-three foot trailers shall be equipped with a rear end protection device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches of the lateral extremities of the trailer, and located not more than twenty-two inches from the surface of the road as measured with the vehicle empty and on level surface.
Whenever a permit is issued by the department of administration or local authority for continuous operation, the permit shall not be issued for a period in excess of the registration date of the subject vehicle

City Permits:

Read permit carefully for specific permits required and where to obtain these permits.

County Permits

Contact counties on planned route.

Appendix & References

"How can I get an oversized load permit?

These permits are not handled by the Rhode Island DOT. To get a permit please contact the Rhode Island DMV at (401) 588-3011."