R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-15: Investigations as to safety of buses, trucks, and trailers.

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles upon registering any truck, truck tractor, or semi-trailer under the laws of this state, or any bus for the transportation of ten (10) or more persons, may require any information and may make any investigation or test as necessary to enable him or her to determine whether the vehicle may safely be operated upon the highways in compliance with all the provisions of chapters 1 — 27 of this title. The administrator shall register the vehicle for a permissible gross weight not exceeding the limitations set forth in chapters 1 — 27 of this title.