License Plates & Placards in Rhode Island

You'll find more information about Rhode Island license plates and tags below.

Do you need information about disabled parking permits? See our Disability Placards & Plates page.

Interested in special license plates, such as charity plates? See our pages on Types of RI Specialty Plates and Applying for Specialty Plates.

Types of Rhode Island License Plates

The Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues license plates for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and other vehicles that use public roads.

The standard RI license plate is white with a blue wave and dark blue numbers.

All RI license plates have a registration expiration sticker.

Several other license plate designs are also available, including personalized plates and charity plates.

Temporary Tags

When you buy a car from a RI dealer, you should receive a temporary license plate that allows you to drive the car while waiting for your permanent registration.

You can apply for a temporary license plate in person at an RI DMV office, if you buy a 2001 model year vehicle or newer in a private sale, OR a car from an out-of-state dealer. You will need:

• Your RI driver's license.
• Proof of car insurance.
• A bill of sale.
• The vehicle title.
• Payment for the $10 fee.

Your temporary license plate will be valid for 5 days and cannot be renewed.

Other RI License Plates

The RI DMV offers several specialty plates, including vanity plates and charity plates. You can learn more about these on our Types of Specialty Plates page. For application details, visit Applying for Special Plates in Rhode Island.

If you have a qualifying disability, you can also apply for disabled parking permits. See our Disability Placards & Plates page for more information.

Apply for a RI License Plate

To get a Rhode Island license plate, you must register your vehicle with the RI DMV.

NOTE: You must register your out-of-state car within 30 days of moving to the state.

When you buy a car, either:

• The dealer will submit your registration paperwork, if buying from a car dealership.
  OR
  
• If you're buying a vehicle in a private sale, you must go in person to a RI DMV office with the seller to transfer and register the vehicle.

For complete details, visit our Rhode Island Car Registration page.

Renew Your License Plate in RI

You'll renew your tags by renewing your Rhode Island vehicle registration. With your new registration, you'll get a new expiration decal to attach to your license plate.

For more information about license plate renewals, see our page about renewing your vehicle registration.

Replace Rhode Island License Plates

If your Rhode Island car tags or decals are lost, stolen, or damaged, you can get new ones in person at your local RI DMV office. If you're replacing damaged license plates, you also have the option to mail your application.

If your tags are lost or stolen, you can either:

• Apply for new tags.
  OR
  
• Request duplicates of your original tags, which will be issued after the required waiting period of 90 days (see below).

Replacement Tags

For replacement or duplicate RI license plates, you must submit:

• An Application for Registration and Title Certificate (Form TR-1).
• License plate documents:
  • If your plates are damaged, complete the Application for Remake of License Plates.
  • If your plates are lost or stolen, you'll need:
    • A copy of the police report IF you want the same plates remade.
      OR
      
    • The Affidavit for Cancellation of Registration for Lost Plates for new plates.
• Your RI driver's license or ID card.
• Proof of your car insurance.
• Power of attorney, if you're leasing your vehicle.
• Payment for the $32.50 fee.

Take your documents to your local Rhode Island DMV office.

If you're replacing damaged plates, you can mail your documents and payment to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Plates
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

Replacement Decals

To replace a lost, stolen, or damaged expiration decal, simply take your registration certificate to your local Rhode Island DMV office.

NOTE: If you're a AAA member, you can also get a new sticker from your nearest AAA office.

Replacement stickers are free.

Transfer or Surrender License Plates

You can transfer your Rhode Island license plate to your next car as long as the name on the registration remains the same. You CANNOT transfer a car tag to the person who buys your car.

You will transfer your tags when you register your new car for the first time.

You must surrender your tags if:

• You move outside of Rhode Island.
• You apply for a different type of tags, such as a personalized license plate.

You can surrender them:

• In person at any DMV branch location or at a AAA office, if you're a member.
  OR
  
• By mail to:
Division of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Plates
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

NOTE:  You may be able to request a fee refund. Contact your local RI DMV for details. 

Fees for RI License Plates

The RI DMV charges fees for most license plate transactions. Fees vary based on vehicle type and weight.

• Standard license plates initial application fee:
  • Vehicles: Vary by vehicle weight.
• Temporary tags: $10.
• Renewal fees: Vary by vehicle type. 
• Replacements:
  • Standard license plates: $32.50.
  • Decals are free.

Search for a License Plate in RI

If you need more information about a vehicle or license plate, you do have a few options:

• To learn more about the availability of personalized tags and license plate numbers, see:
  • Our pages about types of RI specialty plates and applying for specialty plates.
  • The RI DMV's online vanity plate reservation service.
• For information about a vehicle you want to buy, you can order a vehicle history report using its vehicle identification number (VIN).
• To report a vehicle to the police, you can give the license plate number to local law enforcement to handle.

You CANNOT legally search for the registered owner of a vehicle by looking up the license plate number, and police are not able to provide that information to you.