Rhode Island

Rhode Island's snowmobile and recreational vehicle chapter (chapter 31-3.2) is written for the "recreational vehicle": a motor vehicle, including minibikes, designed to travel over unimproved terrain and which the division of motor vehicles has determined to be unsuitable for operation on the public way and not eligible for registration for such use. The term does not include golf carts, riding lawn mowers or garden tractors not registered as farm vehicles, and does include any three-wheel driven vehicle and any other four-wheel driven vehicle, including all classes of all-terrain vehicles. "Motor vehicle" means every vehicle that is self-propelled or propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires, but not operated upon rails, except vehicles moved exclusively by human power, an EPAMD, electric motorized bicycles and motorized wheelchairs. An "electric motorized bicycle" is a two-wheel vehicle that may be propelled by human power or electric motor power, or by both, with an electric motor rated not more than two (S.A.E.) horsepower, that is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 28 miles per hour.

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-1(8), 31-1-3(u), 31-1-3(g), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-1(8), 31-1-3(u), 31-1-3(g), external site

Except as the chapter provides, no person may operate a "recreational vehicle" (the chapter's defined term) within the state unless it has been registered under the chapter. Application is made to the director of the department of environmental management, and the reflectorized identification number assigned must be affixed to the vehicle. The fee is $25 for one year, plus an annual registration fee of $10 for residents and $20 for nonresidents on all off-road facilities established by the department; no person may operate a recreational vehicle on those facilities unless it has been registered as that provision requires. Exceptions: vehicles owned and used by the United States, another state, or a political subdivision of either; non-resident owners who have registered their recreational vehicles under the laws of their state, province, district or country of residence, if the vehicle is identified as that state's laws require (this does not cover a resident of a place that has no recreational vehicle registration and identification law); and out-of-state vehicles from a state or country where registration is not required, to which the director may issue special permits for periods not to exceed 30 days in connection with organized group outings, trail rides, races, rallies and other promotional events.

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-2(a), (b), (c)(1), (c)(4), (f), (g), (h), 31-3.2-1(2), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-2(a), (b), (c)(1), (c)(4), (f), (g), (h), 31-3.2-1(2), external site

It is unlawful for any person to drive or operate a snowmobile or "recreational vehicle" (the chapter's defined term) without the operator and passengers wearing a helmet equipped with a face guard of a type approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.2-7(a)(4)(ii)(F), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.2-7(a)(4)(ii)(F), external site

The safety course for the "recreational vehicle" (the chapter's defined term) is required for all first-time recreational vehicle buyers and for all operators under the age of 16, and proof of completion must be carried while operating any recreational vehicle off private property. No person under 16 may make a direct crossing of a state highway as the operator of a recreational vehicle. A person 16 or older but less than 18 may make a direct crossing of a highway only with a valid motor vehicle operator's license in his or her immediate possession. It is unlawful for the owner to permit the vehicle to be operated contrary to these crossing rules.

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-2(a)(2), 31-3.2-9(a), (c), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-3.2-2(a)(2), 31-3.2-9(a), (c), external site

No person may operate a "recreational vehicle" (the chapter's defined term) on the roadway shoulder, on the inside bank or slope of any highway, or elsewhere within the right of way, except as the chapter provides, and never within the right of way of an interstate highway or freeway. A direct crossing of a street or highway may be made only if it is at about 90 degrees to the highway where no obstruction prevents a quick and safe crossing, the vehicle comes to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder or main traveled way, the driver yields to all oncoming traffic that is an immediate hazard, a divided highway is crossed only at an intersection with another public street or highway, and both front and rear lights are on from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise or in reduced visibility. On a public street or highway the vehicle must have at least one head lamp, one tail lamp, 16 square inches of reflector material on each side forward of the handlebars, and brakes. Other operation there is limited to an emergency when and where snow on the roadway makes travel by automobile impractical. The section does not prohibit use in an international contest, subject to the consent of the official or board having jurisdiction.

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.2-7(a)(1)-(4), (a)(4)(i), checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.2-7(a)(1)-(4), (a)(4)(i), external site

An "electric motorized bicycle", also called an "electric bicycle", is a two-wheel vehicle that may be propelled by human power or electric motor power, or by both, with an electric motor rated not more than two (S.A.E.) horsepower, that is capable of a maximum speed of not more than 28 miles per hour. There are three classes: Class 1 and Class 3 have a motor that assists only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist at 20 and 28 miles per hour respectively; Class 2 has a throttle-actuated motor that ceases to assist at 20 miles per hour.

R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-1-3(g), 31-19.7-1, checked 2026-10-01. Official text for Rhode Island, R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-1-3(g), 31-19.7-1, external site