Why do some RI cars have only one license plate? | Ask the DMV
Q: Why is it that I see numerous cars with only a back Rhode Island license plate and no front bracket or some other type plate in the front? They are mostly luxury cars and many have an inspection sticker.
I bought a car in Florida, which only requires one plate. When I registered it in Rhode Island and went to get it inspected, they would not pass it without a front plate. Of course, it was not inspected at a luxury car dealer. Isn't this a "ticketable" offense?
— David D.
A: Rhode Island General Laws Section 31-3-18 requires that all vehicles (other than a motorcycle, trailer, farm vehicle or a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer) shall be required to have attached thereto two plates, one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a dealer's motor vehicle shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.
The plate(s) must be securely attached at a height not less than 12 inches from the ground when measured from the bottom of such plate. It shall be located in a place and position so as to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials. The rear registration plate shall be illuminated with a white light. The plate lamp shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the headlamps or auxiliary lamps are lighted and in a condition to be clearly legible from a distance of 60 feet to the rear.
Any vehicle (other than the exceptions specifically listed above) is in fact provided two plates at the time of registration. Any vehicle that does not display both plates as required shall be rejected for state inspection.
Unfortunately, sometimes vehicles are not in compliance with this law either before the first required inspection, or subsequent to the inspection because the plate was removed. In these cases, the vehicle owner would be subject to an $85 fine in accordance with Rhode Island General Laws 31-41.1-4 if stopped and cited by law enforcement.
Q: I purchased a motorcycle from a dealer several years ago in New Hampshire. It cost $10,000. I was going to register in New Hampshire when I finished building a retirement house there. Now I am getting divorced and want to register in Rhode Island. Is the tax penalty going to be outrageous?
— Lee S.
A: Without knowing the date on the bill of sale and not knowing the year, make and model of your motorcycle, I contacted the Division of Taxation regarding penalty and interest on vehicles that are not registered by the 20th day following the month of purchase. This is the information they provided so you can try and calculate what you owe in penalties and interests for your motorcycle: Penalty is 10% calculated on the tax amount due and Interest is 18% annually calculated on the tax amount due. Remember that there will also be registration fees and a possible title fee.
The forms you will need to register this in Rhode Island can be found on our website (www.dmv.ri.gov) in the “Forms” tab and “Registration Forms” and “Taxation Forms” tabs. The TR-1 form is the registration form and the T-344 is the taxation form.
To motorcycle owners and future owners: Effective Oct. 1, 2022, P.L. 2022, ch. 231-Budget Article 6, Section 8, Amends R.I. General Laws Sections 44-18-30(68) to provide an exemption from sales and use tax for the trade-in value of motorcycles.
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: Ask the DMV: Why do some RI cars have only one license plate?
