Rhode Island Trucking Compliance
Every federal filing Rhode Island motor carriers, brokers, and freight forwarders need - with Rhode Island-specific context, deadlines, and DOT office info.
Registered carriers
1,600+
DOT office
Rhode Island Department of Transportation
Phone
(401) 222-2450
FMCSA region
FMCSA Eastern Service Center
Rhode Island is home to 1,600+ registered motor carriers running freight through major corridors like I-95 and I-195. Freight hubs in the state - Port of Providence and Quonset Business Park, plus Warwick Distribution - drive a compliance burden that touches every carrier operating in or through Rhode Island: federal filings through FMCSA and IRS, plus Rhode Island-specific surcharges. Rhode Island is the smallest state by area but sits squarely on I-95 between Connecticut and Massachusetts. Port of Providence handles container and breakbulk freight. Rhode Island State Police Commercial Enforcement Unit runs I-95 weigh-station inspections; the truck-only tolling system that was attempted on I-95 in the late 2010s was struck down in federal court in 2022, so RI carriers run on the same fee structure as neighboring states.
Filings Rhode Island carriers need
BOC-3 Filing
$75 flat (lifetime)
A BOC-3 designates a process agent in every US state so the FMCSA has a local point for service of legal process on your operating authority.
USDOT & MC Authority
From $299 (plus FMCSA $300 filing fee)
A USDOT number is the FMCSA safety identifier every commercial motor vehicle operator needs; MC operating authority is the for-hire interstate license that lets you legally haul freight for compensation.
UCR Registration
From $46 (Bracket A, 0–2 power units, 2026 schedule)
UCR is the annual federal fee that every interstate motor carrier, broker, and freight forwarder pays through their base state to fund safety and economic enforcement programs.
MCS-150 Update
$100 service fee ($200 once for lifetime updates)
The MCS-150 is FMCSA's biennial check-in form for every USDOT holder - fleet size, driver count, operational mileage, and safety contact information.
Form 2290 (HVUT)
From $149
Form 2290 is the federal Heavy Vehicle Use Tax (HVUT) return for trucks 55,000 lbs taxable gross weight or higher. Filing produces the stamped Schedule 1 - proof of payment that state DMVs require for truck registration renewal.
State Trucking Permits
Varies by program (NY HUT $19+, KY KYU quarterly, NM WDT, OR weight-mile, CT HUF)
State trucking permits cover any state-specific authorization, weight-distance tax, or commercial surcharge that stacks on top of federal UCR, MCS-150, and Form 2290 - required when operating commercial vehicles on a particular state's highways.
Driver Screening
From $39 (MVR-only); full pre-hire pack from $89
Driver screening combines the Motor Vehicle Record (MVR), CDLIS query, Pre-Employment Screening Program (PSP) report, and FMCSA Clearinghouse query - the four federally-required pre-hire checks for any commercial driver position.
Authority Reinstatement
$275 flat
Authority reinstatement reactivates a previously-revoked or inactive MC operating authority - required when FMCSA has revoked authority due to lapsed insurance, missed MCS-150, unpaid civil penalty, or out-of-service safety violations.
Rhode Island state-level surcharge
On top of federal UCR, MCS-150, and Form 2290.
No state weight-distance tax beyond IFTA; truck-only tolling on I-95 was struck down in 2022 (Rhode Island Trucking Assn. v. RIDOT)
Rhode Island freight hubs
- Port of Providence
- Quonset Business Park
- Warwick Distribution
Major Rhode Island corridors
Nearby states
Free tools
Check any Rhode Island carrier in one click
Look up FMCSA status, MC docket, fleet size, and out-of-service flags for any USDOT - free, no signup.
Skip the calculator. File now.
The same compliance team that built this tool can file every requirement on your behalf - same-day or next-business-day depending on the form.
All services by Fast Trucking Compliance — Cryp Solutions LLC