Section 31-1-1. – Short title.

§ 31-1-1. Short title. Chapters 1 — 27 of this title may be cited as the “Motor Vehicle Code”. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 39, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-1-1.

Section 31-1-10. – Types of tires.

§ 31-1-10. Types of tires. (a) “Metal tire” means every tire having a surface made wholly or partly of metal, or other hard, non-resilient material, in contact with the highway. (b) “Pneumatic tire” means every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load. (c) “Solid rubber tire” means every solid tire constructed […]

Section 31-1-11. – Railroads and trains.

§ 31-1-11. Railroads and trains. (a) “Railroad” means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails. (b) “Railroad train” means an engine driven by steam, electric, or other means, excluding streetcars, with or without cars coupled to it, operated upon stationary rails. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, […]

Section 31-1-12. – Explosives and flammable liquids.

§ 31-1-12. Explosives and flammable liquids. (a) “Explosive” means any chemical compound or chemical mixture that is commonly used or intended for the purpose of producing an explosion and which contains any oxidizing and combustive units or other ingredients in such proportions, quantities, or packing that an ignition by fire, friction, concussion, percussion, or detonation […]

Section 31-1-13. – Gross weight.

§ 31-1-13. Gross weight. “Gross weight” means the weight of a vehicle without load plus the maximum weight of any load allowed to be carried on the vehicle. Maximum weight shall be determined by the manufacturer’s allowed gross weight, or as determined by the division. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 12; […]

Section 31-1-14. – Renewal.

§ 31-1-14. Renewal. “Renewal” means the reissuance of a registration, license, or instruction permit, issued under the provisions of chapters 1 — 27 of this title, the term of which has expired. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 13; P.L. 1952, ch. 2937, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-1-14.

Section 31-1-15. – Suspension, revocation, and cancellation.

§ 31-1-15. Suspension, revocation, and cancellation. (a) “Cancellation” means the registration, driver’s license, or instruction permit is annulled and terminated because of some error or defect or because the former bearer is no longer entitled to one, but the cancellation is without prejudice and a new application may be made at any time after the […]

Section 31-1-16. – Administrator and division.

§ 31-1-16. Administrator and division. (a) “Administrator” means the administrator of the division of motor vehicles of this state. (b) “Division” means the division of motor vehicles within the department of revenue of this state acting directly or through its authorized officers and agents. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 15; G.L. […]

Section 31-1-17. – Types of persons.

§ 31-1-17. Types of persons. (a) “Bailee” means a bailee is one to whom possession of personal property has been entrusted by the bailor for a specific purpose resulting from either an express or implied contract, with the understanding that this personal property shall be returned to the bailor or any person designated by the […]

Section 31-1-18. – Resident and nonresident.

§ 31-1-18. Resident and nonresident. (a) “Nonresident” means any person who is not a resident of this state or is temporarily residing in this state as a student or as a member of the armed forces of the United States. (b) “Resident” means a person: (1) Who owns, rents, or leases real estate within the […]

Section 31-1-19. – Types of business.

§ 31-1-19. Types of business. (a) “Applicant” means any person, firm, corporation, or association making application under chapters 1 — 27 of this title. (b) “Dealer” means every person engaged in the business of buying, selling, or exchanging vehicles required to be registered under chapters 3 — 9 of this title, and who has an […]

Section 31-1-2. – Applicability of definitions.

§ 31-1-2. Applicability of definitions. Except as otherwise provided, the following definitions of the words and phrases in this chapter apply throughout this title. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-1-2; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 3.

Section 31-1-20. – Established place of business.

§ 31-1-20. Established place of business. “Established place of business” means the place actually occupied either continuously or at regular periods by a dealer or manufacturer where the books and records of that business are kept and where a large share of that business is transacted. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § […]

Section 31-1-21. – Enforcement officers.

§ 31-1-21. Enforcement officers. (a) “Police officer” means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations or the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and up to five (5) subordinates designated by the administrator under the provisions of § 31-2-3. (b) “Proper officer” means for […]

Section 31-1-22. – Local authorities.

§ 31-1-22. Local authorities. “Local authorities” means every city, town, or other local board or body having authority to enact laws relating to traffic under the constitution and laws of this state. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 1, § 21; G.L. 1956, § 31-1-22.

Section 31-1-23. – Types of roads.

§ 31-1-23. Types of roads. (a) “Bicycle lane” means a portion of highway right-of-way designated by the state and identified by official traffic control devices (pavement markings) for the exclusive use of bicyclists. The operation and parking of motor vehicles is prohibited within the lane identified for exclusive use by bicyclists, except when making a […]

Section 31-1-24. – Intersection.

§ 31-1-24. Intersection. (a) “Intersection” means the area embraced within the prelongation or connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two (2) highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining […]

Section 31-1-25. – Crosswalk.

§ 31-1-25. Crosswalk. “Crosswalk” means: (1) That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the highway measured from the curbs, or in the absence of curbs, from the edges of the traversable roadway; or (2) Any portion of a roadway […]

Section 31-1-26. – Safety zone.

§ 31-1-26. Safety zone. “Safety zone” means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, and which is protected or is marked or indicated by adequate signs to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone. History of Section.P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, […]

Section 31-1-27. – Business and residence districts.

§ 31-1-27. Business and residence districts. (a) “Business district” means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet (600′) along that highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations, and public buildings which occupy […]