Can I display my license plate on the front dash? | Ask the DMV
Q: I was at a car wash and my front plate came off. It is now mangled and bent. Do I have to get a new car registration to replace the plate, or can I just display the plate on the front dash?
— Lou M.
A: RIGL 31-3-18: Display of Plates, requires that vehicles that have two plates must have one attached to the front and rear of the vehicle. “Attached” is a very important word in this law.
If it is not too mangled, are you able to bend it back and reattach it? If you can’t, you can order a remake online by going to our website (dmv.ri.gov) and the “Online Services” tab. Look for the “Plate Remake/Plate Design Change” transaction and follow all the instructions.
There is also an “Application for Remake of License Plates” that can be printed from our website. It can be found in the “Forms” tab and the “Registration Forms.” Fill that out and mail it in to the address on the top of the form or drop it off at any of the DMV drop boxes.
Drop box hours are the same as the branch hours. You will need your registration certificate when you are doing this remake order online or through the order form. It will help you in filling out the application.
The state’s Reissuance Program began on Jan. 1. Over the next two years — when you renew your registration online or through the mail for any of the “Blue Wave” plates — you will receive your new ocean plate(s) in the mail. This is the new design for which we had the contest, and they look great!
“Blue Wave” plates include the following plate types: passenger, commercial, combination, suburban, trailer, motorcycle, camper, public service, jitney, farm, racer tow, and radio operator.
If you have any other plate type (veteran, National Guard, antique, etc.) or plate design (Patriots, Gloria Gemma, Plum Beach Lighthouse, etc.) you will not be getting the new ocean plate.
Instructions on what to do once you receive your plates will be included in the envelope, and your new registration certificate is printed on the back of the instructions, so please do not throw this sheet of paper away.
If your renewal is within the next three months, I would hold off on ordering a remake, since you will be getting the new ocean plate shortly. If you want to change your plate design to one of the charity plates, please do so. We have some really nice-looking charity plates, including the new one for the Boston Bruins Foundation that should be on vehicles sometime in February or March.
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: Can I display my license plate on the front dash? | Ask the RI DMV
