Wheel & Tire Protrusion in Rhode Island
Rhode Island directly addresses this: no vehicle may operate without fenders covering the front wheels, and no passenger vehicle may operate with tires extending beyond the fenders or body unless it also has flaps or suitable guards reducing spray to the rear and sides.
Verified against primary sources · August 2026
What the law says
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-26 requires fenders over the front wheels, and no passenger vehicle may run tires extending beyond the fenders or body unless flaps or suitable guards reduce spray to the rear and sides — one of the most on-point provisions in the country for wide-wheel setups. Trucks are covered by § 31-23-27.
Specific Limits
- Fenders required
- over the front wheels
- Protrusion limit
- tires may extend beyond the fenders only with flaps or guards reducing spray to the rear and sides
Frequently Asked Questions
Are wheel & tire protrusion legal in Rhode Island?
What are the exact wheel & tire protrusion limits in Rhode Island?
Street-legal wheel & tire protrusion picks
Gear that helps you mod without a ticket in Rhode Island.
The standard fix when wheels stick out past the fender line.
Shop on AmazonSeveral states require them once tires extend beyond the body.
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