How do I replace deteriorated plates when the registration hasn't expired? | Ask the DMV
Q: I own the car that my son drives. Both plates on this car have deteriorated to a point where they are unreadable. The front plate has fallen off because the bracket has broken. My son has been pulled over — at least once — for non-compliance.
How can I get new plates, since the car registration doesn't expire until 2024? As I understand it, new plates are not going to be issued until the next registration date.
— Linda R., Narragansett
A: There are a couple of options for you to make your car compliant.
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You could order a remake of your current plate and it would be made into the Ocean plate design. Upon renewal of your Ocean plate, you would receive a new registration certificate and stickers in the mail, since you would already have the Ocean plate design. You will need the “Application for Remake of License Plates,” and this can be mailed in or dropped off with payment. Once the plate has been made, it will be mailed to you with a new registration certificate and stickers. This generally takes four to six weeks from the date the order is placed. Remakes cost $32.50.
You could come in and do a "Plate Change" transaction, and we would give you a new set of stock Ocean plates. Reservations are required to do an in-person transaction, and instructions on how to make a reservation can be found on the front page of our website. The TR-1 form would be needed for this transaction. Plate changes cost $22.50.
You could order a Charity Plate that is in production and support a worthy Rhode Island charity. There are many options available, so please check them all out. The list of charity plates that are in production can be found on our website in the “Registration, Plates & Titles” tab, then “License Plates,” and the then “Plate Designs/Charity Plates.” The registration would remain the same but the background would be different. Charity plates are not part of the reissuance program, so you wouldn’t have to worry about getting the Ocean plate when it is time for renewal. You will need the “Application for Charity License Plates” that can be dropped off or mailed into the Cranston DMV with your payment. Once the plate has been made, it will be mailed to you with a new registration certificate and stickers, which generally takes four to six weeks from the time of order. Charity plates cost $42.50.
All this information and all the forms/applications needed for each option can be found on our website, dmv.ri.gov.
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: How can I replace deteriorated license plates? | Ask the RI DMV
