§ 31-25-16. Authorized weight shown in registration - Exceeding limit. (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall insert in the registration card issued for a vehicle the gross weight for which it is registered. If it is a truck tractor to be used for propelling semi-trailers, he or she shall separately insert the total permissible gross weight of the truck tractor and semi-trailers to be propelled by it. It shall be unlawful for any carrier to operate or permit to be operated any vehicle or combination of vehicles of a gross weight in excess of that registered or permitted by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter.

(b) For the purposes of this section, "carrier" means and includes any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle.

(c)(1) Penalties for violations of this section will be calculated on the registered or permitted weight in comparison to the actual weight and shall be heard and adjudicated at the traffic tribunal.

(2) The overweight penalties for vehicles with ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight or less shall be eighty-five dollars ($85.00) per thousand pounds overweight or portion of it.

(3) The overweight penalties for vehicles exceeding ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per thousand pounds overweight or portion of it.

(4) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred four thousand, eight hundred pounds (104,800 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one thousand twenty-five dollars ($1,025) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (b)(2) of this section.

History of Section. (P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 35, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 31-25-16; P.L. 1983, ch. 213, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 437, § 1; P.L. 1985, ch. 445, § 1; P.L. 1991, ch. 287, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 126, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 6, § 13; P.L. 2002, ch. 58, § 5; P.L. 2008, ch. 100, art. 12, § 11.)