Has the law changed about having two license plates on a vehicle? | Ask the RI DMV

Q: I always thought Rhode Island law was that each car registered in the state should have two license plates, front and back. While running my errands this morning I saw two Teslas and three Alfa Romeos with only one plate in the back. Has the law changed? If it hasn't, why are these cars allowed on the road with just one plate?

– Michael O.

A: You are correct that Rhode Island is a two-plate state (RIGL 31-3-18 Display of plates – Penalties) for most of our vehicle types. Below is the RI law.

§ 31-3-18. Display of plates — Penalties.

(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a bailee engaged in a business as defined in § 31-1-17(a), or other than a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer in motor vehicles and which is used in the dealer’s business shall be attached thereto one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, or a dealer’s motor vehicle as defined in this subsection shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.

(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging at a height of not less than twelve inches (12") from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.

(c) Penalties. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine as enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

(d) All vehicles registered as passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, suburban, farm, combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, and antique must have displayed on them the registration plate(s) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.

I, too, have seen many vehicles with only the rear plate on the road. The RI DMV does issue two plates to all vehicles described in the law. The DMV can only catch these violators when they go to have their Safety & Emissions inspections. The inspection stations do know the law and will not pass a vehicle if it only has one plate and is required to have two. It would be up to law enforcement to enforce the two-plate rule when these vehicles are spotted on the road.

Just a reminder: The state’s Reissuance Program is coming to an end shortly. All blue “wave” plates will be replaced with the new “ocean” plates by the end of the year. Please make sure that, prior to renewing your registration, your plate design is correct. If there is a discrepancy, please email our Plate Office prior to renewing your registration: DMV.PlateOffice@dmv.ri.gov .

Upon renewal of a “wave” plate, the DMV will mail you your new “ocean” plates with a new registration certificate. Instructions are written on the front and back of the envelope.

Your new registration certificate is on the back of the mailing label, so don’t throw away the envelope until you have removed everything in the envelope.

All commercial and combination plate types should have the new “ocean” plate by now. We have had some plates returned to us because of incorrect addresses on customers' records. If you have not received your new “ocean” plates, please use the same email address for the Plate Office.

Chuck Hollis is assistant administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject field.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Has the law changed about having two license plates on a vehicle? | Ask the RI DMV