TITLE 31

Motor and Other vehicles

CHAPTER 31-3

Registration of Vehicles

SECTION 31-3-17.1



   § 31-3-17.1  Courtesy plates. –

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 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.



History of Section.

(P.L. 1961, ch. 79, § 1; P.L. 1963, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 1967, ch. 63,

§ 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 97, § 1; P.L. 1968, ch. 101, § 1; P.L. 1969,

ch. 2, § 1; P.L. 1975, ch. 301, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 214, § 1;

P.L. 1979, ch. 250, § 1; P.L. 1981, ch. 338, § 1; P.L. 1990, ch. 10,

art. 3, § 1; P.L. 1995, ch. 73, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 305, § 1;

P.L. 2004, ch. 559, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 73, art. 7, § 11; P.L. 2012,

ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2012, ch. 53, § 1.)