Chapter 134
2018 -- H 7230 SUBSTITUTE A AS AMENDED
Enacted 07/02/2018

A N   A C T
RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Introduced By: Representatives McEntee, Craven, and O'Brien
Date Introduced: January 18, 2018

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
     SECTION 1. Section 31-3-17.1 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled
"Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
     31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates.
     (a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall design and issue under
regulations that he or she deems appropriate, special courtesy automobile, motorcycle, and
commercial registration plates to be used on passenger motor vehicles, motorcycles, and all
commercial vehicles whose gross weight is not more than nine thousand pounds (9,000 lbs.) in
lieu of other number plates. Special plates shall be of such design and shall bear such letters or
combinations of letters and numbers as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall
prescribe, and shall be made of light-reflecting sheeting applied on a metal base, provided that no
automobile set of plates shall contain more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination of
letters and numbers, or less than two (2) letters, and that no motorcycle plate shall contain more
than five (5) letters or more than five (5) letters and numbers in a combination or less than two (2)
letters, and that a commercial courtesy plate shall be marked "commercial," and shall contain no
more than six (6) letters or more than six (6) letters and numbers in a combination or less than
two (2) letters, and provided further, that there shall be no duplication of identification and the
administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, in his or her discretion, refuse to issue any
letter or combination of letters and numbers which that might carry connotations offensive to
good taste and decency. A special automobile or commercial courtesy plate shall be issued upon
application using forms furnished by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, and upon
payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a service charge of
sixty dollars ($60.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. For motorcycles, a special
courtesy plate shall be issued upon application using forms furnished by the division of motor
vehicles, and upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, a
service charge of thirty-four dollars ($34.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal. The
service charge shall be paid to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles prior to the
administrator's acceptance of the application. The Rhode Island state lottery commission shall not
be required to pay the service charge for any special courtesy plate issued pursuant to this section
for motor vehicles owned or used by the lottery commission, and may utilize the special courtesy
plates on all types of vehicles owned or operated by the lottery commission.
     (b) For any vehicle that is registered in accordance with ยง 31-1-3(a), the division of motor
vehicles may also issue or approve, subject to rules and regulations that may be promulgated by
the administrator, a courtesy registration plate in accordance with the provisions of this section.
     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on January 1, 2019.
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LC003796/SUB A
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