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Rhode Island License PlatesA Rhode Island license plate is a piece of metal displaying a unique identification number assigned by the Rhode Island government and affixed to a vehicle when the vehicle is registered with the state. Per Section 31-3-2 of the Rhode Island General Laws, every motor vehicle, semi-trailer, trailer, pole trailer, motorized camper, travel trailer, tent trailer, pick-up camper, and pick-up coach owned by a Rhode Island must be registered with the state to operate or be drawn upon a highway.
Most Rhode Island motor vehicles are required to have two license plates, one affixed to the rear of the vehicle and the other at the front. However, motorcycles, in-transit vehicles, transporters, trailers, car dealer-owned vehicles, and some commercial vehicles are required only to have rear-affixed license plates. The Division of Motor Vehicles of the Department of Revenue issues Rhode Island license plates.
The Rhode Island DMV issues license plates in the following categories:
Rhode Island License Plate Design and FormatsIn January 2023, the Ocean license plate design replaced the wave design, which had been in circulation for 25 years. The new design features five waves instead of one, each representing a different county in Rhode Island. The Ocean design is digitally printed on a flat metal piece and is used for commercial, passenger, suburban, combination, motorcycle, trailer, camper, farm, racer, jitney, tow, and radio operator license plates.
The Oceans license plate design has its serials screened in a navy blue color on a reflective light blue plate with the five-wave graphic. It has the words "Rhode Island" screened in navy blue at the top and a navy blue anchor screened at the top left side. The word "Ocean State" is screened in cursive fonts at the center bottom in navy blue.
Passenger and commercial license plates:
Special license plates:
* Source: Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles
Rhode Island Vanity License PlateRhode Island Vanity license plates are license plates customized in line with the owner's preferences and in accordance with the regulations of the Rhode Island DMV. Per DMV regulations, a passenger vehicle vanity plate may be any combination of 2-6 letters or up to 6 letters and numbers. Also, a motorcycle vanity license plate may contain a combination of 2-5 letters and numbers. For commercial vehicles under 9001 pounds, vanity license plates can contain any combination of 2-6 letters and numbers.
Rhode Island vanity license plates are initially only available in standard wave design, sailboat design, or antique (for antique vehicles). Annual registration fees for vanity license plates are higher than traditional ones. Applicable vanity plate fees are listed on the DMV Fee Table.
You can order a vanity plate online using the DMV Vanity Plates online service. You will need a VISA, MasterCard, or Discover credit card. The online service is available only for motorcycles, passenger vehicles, and commercial vehicles under 9001 pounds.
Most Popular License Plates in Rhode IslandThe most popular license plates in Rhode Island are:
Rhode Island License Plate LookupA license plate lookup involves using a vehicle's license plate number to obtain information about a vehicle: individuals and law enforcement agencies often conduct license plate lookups for different purposes. Individuals may perform license plate lookups for several reasons, including:
Law enforcement agencies also use license plate lookups for various purposes, including:
Note that personal or sensitive information such as the vehicle owner's name and address are not typically available in license plate lookups conducted publicly by individuals. However, in certain circumstances, law enforcement can access private information if necessary.
The information generally accessible in a license plate lookup typically includes:
To access non-personal information relating to a Rhode Island-registered vehicle using its license plate number, you can use the Recordsfinder website.
A reverse license plate search is another term used to describe a license plate lookup. Whichever term you use in describing the search, it involves using a vehicle's DMV-issued license plate number to obtain further information about the vehicle. You can perform a Rhode Island reverse license plate lookup on Recordsfinder.
What Do I Need to Get a License Plate in Rhode Island?You get a Rhode Island license plate after titling and registering your vehicle with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. When you buy a vehicle in the state, you must pay sales tax on it and obtain a title in your own name. To complete the vehicle titling process, you must:
To register a vehicle purchased from a verified dealer, the following documents are required:
If the purchase was made from a private individual, the following are required:
Registrations can be completed at a DMV branch location, by mail, or by DMV drop box. For more information on vehicle title and registration, see the vehicle title and vehicle registration pages of the Rhode Island DMV website. Also, refer to the Rhode Island DMV Checklist for Registration for specific documents applying to various vehicle registration types in the state. Note that the appropriate fee for your preferred license plates will also be required before obtaining a license plate.
Differences Between a Passenger License Plate and a Commercial License Plate in Rhode IslandThe Rhode Island DMV issues commercial license plates to commercial vehicles and passenger plates to passenger plates. Passenger vehicles are vehicles used for pleasure and personal non-profit purposes. Commercial vehicles are typically pick-up trucks, cargo vans, and heavy trucks used or maintained primarily for the transportation of property.
Here are the key differences between passenger and commercial license plates in Rhode Island:
| Features | Passenger License Plate | Commercial License Plate |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Use | For pleasure and non-commercial purposes | For profit or compensation and the transportation of property |
| Vehicle Type | Available for Sedans (Cars), SUVs, Wagons, Passenger (not cargo) vans | Pick-up trucks, heavy trucks, cargo vans |
| Design & Color |
Has its serials screened in a navy-blue color on a reflective light blue plate with the five-wave graphic. Has the word "Ocean State" screened at the center bottom in italics |
Mirrors the passenger license plate design but the word "Commercial" replaces "Ocean State" at the center bottom. "Commercial" is also written in straight, deep blue font. |
| Renewal |
Renewed every two years Renewal month is based on the first letter of a registered owner's last name or the first letter of the name of the company to which the vehicle is registered |
Renewed annually in March |
| Requirements for obtaining | Standard registration with the DMV | May require additional permits, inspections, and insurance coverage depending on the type of operation. Also, depending on weight and use type, registration with the IRP (International Registration Plan) may be required |
The Rhode Island DMV also issues combination license plates for motor vehicles that are eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle with a gross weight of 8,800 pounds or less. The Rhode Island combination license plate allows a vehicle to be driven for commercial and pleasure purposes. Rhode Island law also states that combination plates can be on any motor vehicle qualified to be registered as a commercial vehicle having a gross weight from 8,800 pounds to 11,400 pounds upon proof of ownership of a fifth-wheel camper trailer, camping trailer, travel trailer, or truck camper as defined in RIGL § 31-1-3.
Consequently, any vehicle in Rhode Island weighing over 8,800 pounds must-have commercial plates unless it meets the stated eligibility for a combination plate.
How to Renew License Plate in Rhode IslandYou can renew your Rhode Island license plates by renewing your vehicle registration.
All vehicle registration renewals in the state are processed by mail, online with a credit card, or via drop boxes located at any DMV branch location. The Rhode Island DMV allows AAA members to renew their vehicle registrations at AAA branch offices.
To renew your registration by mail:
If you did not get a renewal notice in the mail, you may use the Registration Renewal form.
To renew your registration online:
To renew your registration via the drop box option:
Note that if you have outstanding taxes and your municipality has placed a restriction on your account in the DMV system, you will get a renewal notice and the DMV cannot renew your registration. Therefore, it is recommended that you pay your property tax and have the Tax Collector send the tax clearance to the DMV.
For more information on registration renewals, see the registration renewal page of the DMV website or the DMV's registration renewal troubleshooting guide.
How to Transfer a License Plate in Rhode IslandThe Rhode Island DMV allows plate transfer from an old car to a new vehicle with the same owner. To transfer a license plate, you will need the following:
The transfer process can be completed by mail, in person at a DMV location (with a reservation), or via Dropbox services at any DMV branch location. Note that transactions by mail or drop boxes can be paid for by money, check, or a completed credit card by mail form.
Submissions by mail (documents must be notarized) are to be made to:
Division of Motor VehiclesNote that prior to registering your new vehicle, Rhode Island allows you to use the license plates temporarily registered to an old vehicle on the new vehicle, provided the name on the registration remains the same and the vehicle type is the same. The number of days the license plates may be used before registration is as follows:
Rhode Island License Plate Lookup Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)RI Gen L § 27-49-3.1, promulgated in line with the federal Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), makes it impossible to find the owner of a license plate in public searches. The federal law makes it illegal to obtain sensitive DMV records without the consent of the owner of the records or a court order.
Rhode Island law defines personal motor vehicle records to include information identifying an individual, such as the driver's photograph, driver identification number, social security number, name, address (except the 5-digit code), telephone number, and disability or medical information.
Therefore, except in the permissible use cases stated under RI Gen L § 27-49-3.1 (c)(2), the DMV or its contractor may not knowingly disclose or make available to any entity or individual personal information about an individual obtained by the Division associated with a motor vehicle record.
These strict state and federal laws mean that it is impossible to find the owner of a Rhode Island license plate in a public license plate lookup. If you are interested in obtaining non-sensitive personal information, you can use the Recordsfinder website to find public information on more than 269 million registered vehicles in the United States.
You can obtain a replacement license plate for a lost license plate in Rhode Island by completing the Application for Registration and Title Certificate (TR-1 form). Include the relevant documents as stated on page 3 of the application and the appropriate fees for submission at a DMV location or by mail to:
Division of Motor VehiclesRhode Island police do not need special permission to run license plates. They may run a license plate for several reasons, including determining whether a vehicle has been stolen or if the vehicle's registration is active. The following information is accessible to the police when running license plates:
Searching license plates for free can be important for various reasons, including uncovering vehicle scams such as cloned Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs). This is particularly relevant when purchasing a used car, as cloned VINs can lead to legal and financial troubles for unsuspecting buyers.
Additionally, individuals may need to search license plates to track a vehicle's history. Performing a free license plate search can reveal valuable information such as accident records, odometer readings, salvage titles, and previous ownership details. You can conduct a free license plate lookup using Recordsfinder to access the following information:
Per RI Gen. Laws § 31-3-32, individuals caught driving with expired registration or license plates are subject to a $85 fine.
If you are in possession of Rhode Island license plates you no longer need, they must be surrendered to the DMV or you must cancel the plates in line with state provisions. You can cancel your license plates online, by mail, or via a drop box at a DMV branch location.
To cancel your plate online, follow these steps:
For tax purposes, you may keep the confirmation notification as proof of plate cancellation. Note that canceled plates are not to be returned to DMV or AAA branches. Upon canceling a plate via the online portal, it must be destroyed or discarded.
To cancel plates using drop boxes:
To cancel license plates by mail:
To:
RI DMVIf you are moving out of Rhode Island, you may keep your license plates upon canceling it. The Rhode Island DMV allows motorists to cancel license plates online or in person using a drop box at a DMV location.
Rhode Island license plates typically measure 6 inches (height) by 12 inches (length).
Rhode Island Temporary plates are issued by the DMV for Rhode Island residents only. The DMV issues temporary license plates valid for 20 days through its licensed new and used car dealers. Dealers are authorized to provide a single temporary registration plate for each vehicle, allowing you to drive the vehicle away from the dealership while awaiting permanent registration plates for up to 20 days. Temporary plates can also be used if you are registering the vehicle out of state, although some jurisdictions may not recognize them.
However, if you purchase a vehicle via a private party sale and an out-of-state transfer, temporary plates are only valid for 5 days. The 5-day temporary plate validity also applies to individuals who are new to Rhode Island, holding a vehicle title from another state, who are transferring their residency to the Ocean State. Note that temporary plates are only for vehicles eligible for RI titles, model year 2001 or newer. 5-day temporary plates can be obtained at any DMV branch location. To apply for a temporary plate, bring the following to a DMV branch:
You can renew your license plate by renewing your vehicle registration via the DMV registration renewal portal (if eligible), by mail, or in person at a DMV branch office.
To renew your registration by mail:
To use a drop box service to renew your registration:
If your Rhode Island license plate is lost or stolen, you can obtain a replacement via a plate change or a plate remake. If one of the plates is lost, you must surrender the other plate to get new ones. If both plates are lost or stolen, you must obtain and provide a police report or submit a completed Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plates. A lost or stolen license plate report may be filed at your local law enforcement agency.
To obtain a plate change:
To apply for a plate remake, visit the DMV plate remake online service to order a remake of your existing plate or a different design. Alternatively: