Chapter 31-3. Registration of Vehicles
Section
31-3-1Operation of unregistered vehicle.31-3-2Vehicles subject to registration.31-3-2.1Out-of-state motorized bicycles.31-3-2.2Registration of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motorized tricycles.31-3-3Application for registration.31-3-3.1Notice to division of motor vehicles of vehicle lease agreement.31-3-4Proof of payment of sales or use tax.31-3-5Grounds for refusal of registration.31-3-5.1Repealed.31-3-6List of vehicles on which taxes delinquent — Denial of registration.31-3-6.1List of vehicles and licenses on which taxes delinquent — Denial of renewal of registration and licenses.31-3-6.1.1Denial of registration — Denial of transfer of registration — Failure to file tax returns and/or pay taxes.31-3-6.2List of vehicles and licenses on which court costs owed delinquent — Denial of renewal of registration and licenses.31-3-6.3Unpaid out-of-state toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines — Denial of registration — Denial of transfer of registration — Denial of renewal of registration and licenses.31-3-7Registration — Indexing of records.31-3-8Registration card — Contents.31-3-9Registration card carried in vehicle.31-3-10Issuance of registration plates.31-3-11Contents of registration plate.31-3-11.1Permanent registration and plates.31-3-12Visibility of plates.31-3-13Plates for rental or leased vehicles.31-3-14Bailee and in transit plates.31-3-15Special plates for state officers and mayors.31-3-16General assembly plates.31-3-17Volunteer fire company plates.31-3-17.1Courtesy plates.31-3-17.2Civil defense plates.31-3-17.3Temporary plates.31-3-17.4Firefighter plates.31-3-18Display of plates — Penalties.31-3-19Registration of race cars.31-3-20Operation with manufacturer’s or dealer’s plates.31-3-20.1Operation with auto body repair shop plates.31-3-21Use of bailee, transporter, and in transit plates.31-3-22Service vehicles owned by dealer.31-3-23Application for dealer’s plates.31-3-23.1Limitation on number of plates.31-3-24Dealer’s certificate.31-3-25Issuance of dealer’s plates.31-3-25.1Cost of dealer’s plates.31-3-25.2Issuance of motorcycle dealer’s plates.31-3-25.3Issuance of boat dealer’s plates.31-3-26Expiration of dealer’s plates.31-3-27Responsibility for use of dealer’s plates.31-3-28Rules and regulations as to plates.31-3-29Licensing of tow cars and tow trucks.31-3-30Accident chasing by tow trucks.31-3-31Registration of farm vehicles.31-3-31.1Registration of street rods.31-3-31.2Custom vehicles — Definition — Registration and fees.31-3-31.3Registration of specially constructed vehicles.31-3-31.4Registration of forestry vehicles — Use of farm plates.31-3-32Expiration of registration.31-3-33Renewal of registration.31-3-34Notice of change of address.31-3-35Notice of change of name.31-3-36Replacement of lost or mutilated registration card or plates.31-3-37Assignment of new identifying numbers.31-3-38Change of engines.31-3-39Amateur radio operator plates.31-3-40Special use identification tags.31-3-41Return of registration card and plates — Receipt.31-3-42Camper plates.31-3-43Sheriffs’ department plates.31-3-44Ambulance or rescue vehicles.31-3-45Police motorcycle plates.31-3-45.1Police registration plates.31-3-46P.O.W. plates.31-3-47Judiciary plates.31-3-48Plates for recipients of Purple Heart.31-3-48.1Plates for recipients of Distinguished Service Cross.31-3-48.2Plates for recipients of the Bronze Star Medal. [Effective until January 1, 2026.]31-3-49Chief Judge Emeritus — Charles F. Trumpetto.31-3-50Chief Judge Emeritus 8 — William R. Goldberg.31-3-51Police Chief Emeritus — Matthew Lynch.31-3-52Certificate of prior use.31-3-53Veterans’ plates.31-3-54Police Chief Emeritus — John C. Beebe III.31-3-55Repealed.31-3-56Congressman Emeritus — Fernand J. St. Germain.31-3-57Police Chief Emeritus — John T. Botelho.31-3-58Judge Emeritus — Edward J. Plunkett.31-3-59House Emeritus — Irving Levin.31-3-59.1Congressman Emeritus — Edward Beard.31-3-60Alternative design plates.31-3-61Fire Chief Emeritus — Gerald Landry.31-3-61.1Fire Chief Emeritus — Frank M. Brown, Jr.31-3-62National Guard plates.31-3-63High Sheriff Emeritus — Anthony A. Giorgio.31-3-64Combination plates.31-3-65Judge Emeritus — Paul DelNero.31-3-66Repealed.31-3-67Judge Emeritus — Carmine R. DiPetrillo.31-3-68Police Chief Emeritus — Vincent A. Acciardo.31-3-69Registration suspension based on federal determination.31-3-70Police Lieutenant Emeritus — John J. Sinotte.31-3-71Chief Justice Emeritus — Joseph R. Weisberger.31-3-72Special plate for Mr. Potato Head.31-3-73Police Major Emeritus, City of East Providence.31-3-74Police chief emeritus.31-3-75Senator Emeritus — William Zuccarelli.31-3-76Special license plate decal.31-3-77Adjutant General Emeritus — Reginald A. Centracchio.31-3-78Special plate for Rotary International.31-3-79Special plate for Audubon Society of Rhode Island/Save the Bay.31-3-80Reserve Forces plates.31-3-81General state officers emeritus.31-3-82Special plate for WaterFire Providence.31-3-83Judge Emeritus — Vincent A. Ragosta.31-3-84Special plate in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.31-3-85Special plate for the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.31-3-86Special plate for Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc.31-3-87Special plate for breast cancer support.31-3-88Special plate in support of public education.31-3-89Rhode Island law enforcement memorial benefit fund license plates.31-3-90Special plate for the Red Sox Foundation.31-3-91Special plate for the Bristol Fourth of July Committee.31-3-92Judge Emeritus — Raymond E. Shawcross.31-3-93Special plate for the Gloria Gemma Breast Cancer Resource Foundation.31-3-94Expiration of authorization of issuance of special motor vehicle plates.31-3-95Special plate for Woonsocket high school arts and athletics.31-3-96Emergency medical technician plates.31-3-97Special plate for home and hospice care of Rhode Island.31-3-98Special plate for the Autism Project of Rhode Island.31-3-99Special plate for the wildlife rehabilitators association of Rhode Island (WRARI).31-3-100General Magistrate Emeritus — John J. O’Brien.31-3-101Special electric and hybrid electric vehicle registration plate designation.31-3-102Special plate for the Boston Bruins Foundation.31-3-103Olympic medal winners.31-3-104Special plate in honor of César E. Chávez.31-3-105Special plate for Rhode Island private colleges and universities.31-3-106Special plate for the Dorian J. Murray foundation.31-3-107Police chief emeritus — Ernest Spaziano.31-3-108Special plate for The Rocky Point Foundation, Inc.31-3-109Special plate for Rhode Island public colleges and universities.31-3-110Special plate for the Lupus Foundation New England.31-3-111Gold Star Families.31-3-112Special plate for Gaspee Days Committee.31-3-113Special plate for Operation Stand Down RI.31-3-114Special plate for the Rhode Island Agricultural Council.31-3-115Special plate for the Rhode Island Salt Water Anglers Foundation.31-3-116Special plate for the Ocean State Animal Coalition.31-3-117Minimum prepaid special motor vehicle registration plate orders.31-3-118Special plate for Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.31-3-119Special plate for Narragansett Council, Boy Scouts of America.31-3-120Police chief emeritus — Gary Malikowski.31-3-121Judge emeritus — Stephen J. Capineri.31-3-122Special plate for Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.31-3-123Special plate for Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.31-3-124Special plate for The Rose Island Lighthouse Foundation, Inc.31-3-125Special plate for the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association.31-3-126Special plate for Atlantic Shark Institute.31-3-127Special plate for Dyslexia Advocacy Rhode Island.31-3-128Special plate for the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.31-3-129Special plate for the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation.31-3-130Special plate for the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association.31-3-131Special plate for the Blackstone Valley Tourism Council, Inc.