Chapter 245

2009 -- H 6034 AS AMENDED

Enacted 11/10/09

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Introduced By: Representative Timothy A. Williamson

Date Introduced: March 26, 2009  

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

SECTION 1. Sections 31-3-18 and 31-3-33 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled

"Registration of Vehicles" are hereby amended to read as follows:

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 section 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 section 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) commonly known as the general issuance "wave plate"

as described in section 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply to those registrants in possession

of an alternative design plate as described in section 31-3-60 or any other specially authorized

plate described in this chapter.

31-3-33. Renewal of registration. -- (a) Application for renewal of a vehicle registration

shall be made by the owner on a proper application form and by payment of the registration fee

for the vehicle as provided by law.

      (b) The division of motor vehicles may receive applications for renewal of registration,

and may grant the renewal and issue new registration cards and plates at any time prior to

expiration of registration.

      (c) Upon renewal, owners will be issued a renewal sticker for each registration plate

which shall be placed at the bottom right hand corner of the plate. Owners shall be issued a new

fully reflective plate beginning September 1, 2011 and reissuance will be conducted no less than

every ten (10) years.

SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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LC02307

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