The bill amends Section 31-23-1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-23, which pertains to the driving of unsafe vehicles and the regulations surrounding motor carriers. It establishes that it is a civil violation for any person to operate a vehicle in an unsafe condition that endangers others. The bill mandates that all commercial motor vehicles comply with applicable safety standards and federal regulations. Notably, it introduces a requirement that, effective April 1, 2027, every carrier operating a motor vehicle in intrastate commerce must be permanently marked with a USDOT number assigned in accordance with the provisions of 49 CFR 390.21T.

Certain exemptions are provided for specific vehicles, including those owned and operated by the State of Rhode Island or its political subdivisions, vehicles carrying hazardous materials owned by a city, town, or agency of the State (with exceptions for private contractors), transit-type buses operated by municipalities, buses operated by the Rhode Island public transit authority, school buses and pupil transport vehicles, and vehicles of professional driving schools used for training.

Additionally, the bill outlines the authority of authorized personnel to inspect motor carrier vehicles and enforce safety regulations. It specifies that any vehicle deemed unsafe can be declared out of service, and it prohibits the removal of out-of-service stickers until necessary repairs are completed. The bill emphasizes the need for proper training and certification for inspectors, which will be managed by the Rhode Island state police as the lead Motor Carrier Safety Administration Program agency. Violations of these provisions will be documented, and fines imposed will not be subject to additional assessments under other state laws.

Statutes affected:
3097: 31-23-1