Lookup
Rhode Island residents and new car owners must register their vehicles in order to drive legally on state roads. When registering your vehicle, you can choose from a variety of custom plate designs.
If you want to personalize your license plate in Rhode Island, you can look up available license plate numbers online.
Sample Rhode Island License Plate
Applying for License Plates in Rhode Island
All license plates are handled by the Department of Motor Vehicles in Rhode Island.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle, you’ll require a temporary license plate. If you have an out-of-state car (i.e., you’re a new resident in RI), you are required to provide the following:
Rhode Island Driver’s License
Bill of Sale
Title
Valid Insurance
Payment for temporary plates: $10
Note: Out-of-state vehicles have 30 days from the date of arrival in Rhode Island to register with the DMV. People who purchase vehicles from a dealer will have their registration done by the dealers.
Alternative License Plates in Rhode Island
Aside from the standard plates issued by the State of Rhode Island, you can also obtain the following:
Specialty Plates
Vanity Plates
Charity Plates
Disability Plates
Additional documentation and fees may apply to these special types of license plates.
Specialty Rhode Island License Plates
Some of the specialty Rhode Island license plates can be the perfect alternative for the standard license plate. Keep in mind that there are additional fees on top of the standard registration costs.
Plates Requiring Eligibility:
EMT License Plates
Firefighter License Plates
Amateur Radio License Plates
Military Veterans Plates:
Former POW License Plates
Purple Heart License Plates
Veteran Gold Star License Plates
Antique License Plates
You should contact your local Rhode Island DMV to obtain more information about the specialty license plates you can register.
Vanity Plates in Rhode Island
Vanity plates allow you to choose your own custom characters for your license plate.
Custom plates must follow these rules:
Have 2 to 6 numbers or letters
Be unique and original
Not be offensive
Before you go to the DMV, you may want to check for available plate numbers online.
The fees for vanity plates do not include the standard registration fees. See the overview of costs for license plates below.
Charity License Plates in Rhode Island
If you wish to contribute to local charities, you can register your vehicle and represent your favorite cause. The fees for these plates are in addition to the usual registration fees, taxes, and any additional fees.
Charity plates available in Rhode Island include:
Gloria Breast Cancer Resource Foundation:
Plum Beach Lighthouse
New England Patriots
Community Food Bank
All charity plates are $42.50 for the initial order and $32.50 for a replacement. Remember, registering a charity plate supports the organization and assists their efforts.
Disability License Plates in Rhode Island
If you have a disability, you can apply for the following license plates and placards in Rhode Island:
Temporary Placard: issued for 2 to 12 months
Long-Term Disability Placard: issued for 1 to 3 years
Permanent Disability Placard: issued for 3+ years
Disabled Veterans Placard: issued to fully disabled veterans due to military service
Once you receive the disability placard, you are permitted to park in parking spots designated for people with disabilities.
Transfer License Plates in Rhode Island
If you purchase a new vehicle, you can transfer your license plates from your old vehicle easily. But if there is a change in the name of the vehicle’s owner, you’ll have to surrender your plates.
You may have to pay a title transfer fee of $51.50 to obtain plates for your new vehicle.
Surrender License Plates in Rhode Island
You must surrender your vehicle’s license plates under the following circumstances:
You move to another state or country
You upgrade to customized license plates
You sell your vehicle and don’t replace it
When you surrender your license plates, you can bring them in person to the nearest DMV or an AAA office (for members only).
Lost or Stolen License Plates in Rhode Island
If your license plates are lost or stolen, you must apply for replacements right away.
Stolen license plates should always be reported to the police to prevent misuse.
When you go to the DMV, you can apply for new license plates and request a duplicate of the original. You’ll be required to wait 90 days before receiving your original plates again.
Note: For damaged plates, you can mail them in with an application to have them replaced.
Overview of Costs for Rhode Island License Plates
When you register your vehicle at a Rhode Island DMV, fees are determined by your vehicle’s weight and type. In addition to the taxes payable, there are a few standard fees, including:
Vehicle Registration: Varies by weight
Passenger Vehicle Renewal (2 Years): Based on vehicle weight + $2.50 + $15.00 DOT surcharge per year
Other Fees:
Temporary Registration: $12.50
Replacement Fee:
Plate change (one plate): $22.50
Plate change (two way): $42.50
New Title Fee: $52.50
Title transfer fee: $52.50
Duplicate title fee: $52.50
Note: Your decals are free when you register your vehicle.
Looking Up License Plates in Rhode Island
Before purchasing a used vehicle, you can find out whether it was stolen and other vital information by performing an online license plate search.
You can also check the availability of personalized plate numbers using this online search tool.
Car Ownership in Rhode Island
Rhode Island ranks 44th on the list of states with the highest rates of car ownership. Idaho and Wyoming are tied for the number one spot. The District of Columbia and New York have the lowest car ownership rates in the US.
91.20% of households in Rhode Island have at least one vehicle. In Idaho and Wyoming (the states with the highest rates of car ownership), 96.20% of households have at least one vehicle. In the District of Columbia, the vehicle ownership rate is the lowest at 64.30%.
Rhode Island ranks 22nd (tied with New Hampshire) for electric vehicle ownership in the US. Approximately 0.29% of all registered vehicles in Rhode Island are electric vehicles. California and Hawaii have the highest percentage of electric vehicles (1.61% and 1.32% respectively). Mississippi and North Dakota have the lowest percentage of electric vehicles (0.05%).
Rhode Island is ranked 31 (tied with Oregon) in the list of most expensive states to own a car in the US. California and Nevada are the most expensive and Ohio is the least expensive state to own a car in the US.
The average cost of annual full coverage car insurance in Rhode Island is $2,715. In New York, the most expensive state for full coverage car insurance, it costs on average $4,769 per year.
The average cost of a check engine light-related car repair in Rhode Island is $386. In Connecticut, the most expensive state for car repairs, it costs $418.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rhode Island a two-plate state?
Yes, Rhode Island is a two-plate state. Most types of vehicles are required to display two license plates, one on the front and one on the rear of the vehicle. Some exceptions are motorcycles, trailers, semi-trailers, farm vehicles, transporters, dealer vehicles, and in-transit vehicles that only require one plate on the rear.
Does Rhode Island have vehicle inspections?
Brand new vehicles are exempt from inspections for 2 years from the date of purchase or 24,000 miles, whichever is earlier. All other vehicles that are being newly registered in Rhode Island must pass a safety and emissions inspection within 5 days of the registration and have a valid inspection sticker.
What is the vehicle inspection fee in Rhode Island?
The vehicle inspection fee for vehicles with a gross weight of 8,500 lbs or less is $55 for a 2-year sticker. Motorcycle inspections cost $11 for one year.
What is the new title law in Rhode Island?
Starting January 1, 2024, the title law in Rhode Island requires all vehicles that are coming to RI from another state to have a VIN inspection by a local police department, regardless of the model year. If the out-of-state vehicle has a title, it must be in the name of the seller and properly assigned to the buyer. The title must be presented along with the VIN inspection and sales tax payment at the time of registering the vehicle at the DMV. For out-of-state vehicles that are coming from states that do not require titles, valid proof of ownership (previous registration, sales tax) in the name of the seller must be shown along with the VIN inspection and sales tax payment when registering the vehicle at the DMV in RI. After you pay the sales tax and registration fee, you will receive a Rhode Island Certificate of Title regardless of the model year of your vehicle.
Why is Rhode Island issuing new plates?
The blue “wave” design on standard Rhode Island plates that has been in circulation for 25 years will be replaced in the two years between 1/2203 and 12/2024. If your vehicle registration certificate has the wave plate design, it will be included in this program.
You should check your registration renewal notice and make sure your mailing address is correct. If your address is incorrect, please update it online. Then mail in your renewal. Your new “ocean” plates will be mailed to you.
The new “ocean” plate is digitally printed on a flat plate with a pre-printed registration sticker in the bottom right corner. Always place future registration decals in the bottom right corner of the plate.
If you currently have specialty Rhode Island plates, such as charity plates, veteran or military plates, or any other non-standard plates, you are not included in the reissuance program and will not receive the new “ocean” plates.