Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 280 - Department of Revenue
Chapter 30 - Division of Motor Vehicles
Subchapter 15 - Safety and Emissions
Part 3 - Official Manual for Vehicle Inspection
Section 280-RICR-30-15-3.6 - What to Inspect

Universal Citation: 280 RI Code of Rules 30 15 3.6

Current through September 18, 2024

A. Reference: R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-37

B. The equipment requirements on certain vehicles change according to the size, use, or the type of vehicle. This section provides a checklist of what to look for on certain vehicles.

C. Reconstructed vehicles

1. All vehicles used on the public highways are expected to meet all the state laws and regulations, therefore, reconstructed vehicles which are using the public highways are also expected to meet all the state laws and regulations. Reconstructed vehicles in many instances fail to meet the state requirements and, are not to be approved for use on the public highways. Be sure to check reconstructed vehicles for all required safety items.

D. INSPECT EVERY MOTOR VEHICLE (EXCEPT MOTORCYCLES) AND EVERY BUS OR TRUCK LESS THAN 80 INCHES WIDE FOR THE FOLLOWING:

1. ABS Light

2. Air bag light

3. Back up lamps

4. Ball joints

5. Body items

6. Brakes (ABS)

7. Brake drums and discs

8. Brake failure warning lamp

9. Brake lining or pads

10. Brake performance

11. Brake pedal reserve

12. Bumper (rear end protection)

13. Check engine light

14. Clearance lamps

15. Directional signals

16. Door (front latches)

17. Emergency brake

18. Emissions

19. Exhaust system

20. Fenders and flaps

21. Floor and other panels

22. Fuel tank - cap

23. Glass

24. Hazard switch

25. Headlamps

26. Height altered

27. Horn

28. Master cylinder

29. Mirrors

30. Parking lamps

31. Parking brakes

32. Plates and plate light

33. Reflectors

34. Registration certificate

35. Seat belts

36. Seats

37. Side market lamps

38. Springs, torsion bars, shocks

39. Steering and suspension

40. Stop lamps

41. Tail lamps

42. Tires

43. Transmission

44. Universal joints

45. Wheels

46. Wheel safety chock blocks

47. Windshield wipers

48. Windshield

E. INSPECT EVERY BUS OR TRUCK 80 INCHES OR MORE IN OVERALL WIDTH ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. All items as enumerated for vehicles less than 80 inches wide.

2. On the front of the vehicle two (2) clearance lamps (amber) one at each side of the vehicle.

3. On the rear of the vehicle two (2) clearance lamps (red) one at each side of the vehicle.

4. On each side of the vehicle two (2) side marker lamps, one at or near the front (amber) and one at or near the rear (red).

5. On each side of the vehicle two (2) reflectors, one at or near the front (amber), and one at or near the rear (red).

6. Measure the vehicle to ascertain if directional signals are required and inspect accordingly.

F. INSPECT EVERY TRAILER AND SEMI-TRAILER (EXCEPT TRAILERS AND SEMI TRAILERS USED TO TRANSPORT HORSES AND OTHER LIVESTOCK) OVER 1,000 POUNDS GROSS WEIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Brakes (required if over 4,000 pounds gross weight).

2. Directional signals (if equipped or required by size).

3. Fenders and/or flaps.

4. Floor panels.

5. Headlamp aim of motor vehicle that is pulling.

6. Parking lamps.

7. Plate lamp.

8. Plates.

9. Proper registration.

10. Reflectors.

11. Rear end protection.

12. Springs and shocks.

13. Stop lamp, if over 3,000 pounds gross.

14. Tail lamp.

15. Tires.

16. Safety chock blocks.

17. Wheels.

18. Clearance lamps and reflectors if over 3,000 pounds gross weight as follows:
a. On the front of the vehicle two (2) clearance lamps, one at each side (amber).

b. On each side of the vehicle two (2) side marker lamps, one at or near the front (amber), and one at or near the rear (red).

c. On each side of the vehicle two (2) reflectors, one at or near the front (amber) and one at or near the rear (red).

d. On the rear of the vehicle two (2) clearance lamps, one at each side (red).

e. One the rear of the vehicle two (2) reflectors, one at each side (red).

f. If the vehicle is a pole trailer, on each side of the vehicle one side marker lamp and one clearance lamp which may be in combination to show to the front, side and rear, providing the colors show amber to the front and red to the rear.

g. On the rear of the pole trailer or its load, two (2) reflectors (red) one at each side.

G. INSPECT EVERY TRAILER AND SEMI-TRAILER USED TO TRANSPORT HORSES AND OTHER LIVESTOCK IRRESPECTIVE OF THE GROSS WEIGHT, ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. Brakes (required if over 4,000 pounds gross weight).

2. Directional signals (if equipped or required by size).

3. Fenders and/or flaps.

4. Floor and panels for livestock.

5. Headlamp aim of motor vehicle that is pulling.

6. Parking lamp.

7. Plate lamp.

8. Plates.

9. Proper registration.

10. Rear end protection.

11. Reflectors.

12. Safety chock blocks.

13. Springs and shocks.

14. Stop lamp, if over 3,000 pounds gross.

15. Tail lamp.

16. Tires.

17. Wheels.

18. Clearance lamps and reflectors if over 3,000 pounds gross weight as follows:
a. On the front of the vehicle, two (2) clearance lamps one at each side (amber).

b. On each side of the vehicle two (2) side marker lamps, one at or near the front (amber) and one at or near the rear (red).

c. One each side of the vehicle, two (2) reflectors, one at or near the front (amber) and one at or near the rear (red).

d. On the rear of the vehicle two (2) clearance lamps, one at each side (red).

e. On the rear of the vehicle two (2) reflectors, one at each side (red).

19. Head restraints, chest bar, butt bars and other equipment needed for the safe transportation of horse(s) or other livestock.

H. INSPECT EVERY MOTORCYCLE, MOTOR SCOOTER, MOTOR- DRIVEN CYCLE AND MOTORIZED BICYCLES AND MOTORIZED TRICYCLES (IF REQUIRED BY LAW OR REGULATION) ACCORDING TO THE FOLLOWING:

1. CURRENTLY THE TOWN OF NEW SHOREHAM (BLOCK ISLAND) IS THE ONLY COMMUNITY REQUIRING RENTED MOTORIZED BICYCLES AND MOTORIZED TRICYCLES TO BE INSPECTED. THESE CYCLES ARE TO BE INSPECTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REGULATIONS ESTABLISHED FOR THE INSPECTION OF MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS OR MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES CURRENTLY IN EFFECT, EXCEPT AS TO THOSE PROVISIONS WHICH BY THEIR NATURE CAN HAVE NO APPLICATION.
a. Proper registration

b. Alignment

c. Brakes

d. Body items

e. Chain guards

f. Directional signals (if equipped)

g. Exhaust system

h. Fuel system

i. Fenders

j. Foot rests

k. Hand grip

l. Headlamps

m. Horn or bell

n. Mirror

o. Plate

p. Rake and trail

q. Reflectors

r. Seat(s)

s. Speedometer

t. Steering & handlebars

u. Stop lamps

v. Suspension

w. Tail lamp

x. Tires, wheels and rims

2. RULES, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS FOR THE INSPECTION OF MOTORCYCLES, MOTOR SCOOTERS, MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLES, MOTORIZED BICYCLES, MOTORIZED TRICYCLES, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT AS PROVIDED FOR IN THE RHODE ISLAND GENERAL LAWS OF 1956 AS AMENDED.

3. Motorcycle inspection stations have been authorized by Law and Regulation to inspect motorized bicycles and motorized tricycles.

4. Cycles that are required to be inspected, shall be inspected at motorcycle inspection stations.

5. DEFINITIONS
a. MOTORCYCLE: Only those motor vehicles having not more than three wheels in contact with the ground and a saddle on which the driver sits astride, except motorized bicycles and motorized tricycles.

b. MOTOR DRIVEN CYCLE: Every motorcycle, including every motor scooter, with a motor which produces not to exceed five (5) horsepower, except motorized bicycles and motorized tricycles.

c. MOTORIZED BICYCLES; Two-wheel vehicles which may be propelled by human power and/or helper power, or by both with a motor rated not more than 1.5 brake horsepower or 2 (S.A.E.) horsepower which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.

d. MOTORIZED TRICYCLES: Tricycles which may be propelled by human power or helper motor, or by both, with a motor rated no more than 1.5 brake horsepower which is capable of a maximum speed of not more than thirty (30) miles per hour.

6. The General Provisions, Station Requirements and Inspection Procedures for motorcycle inspection stations are the same as public inspection stations as provided in the Official Manual for Vehicle Inspection except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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