R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-15
§ 31-44-15. Purchase requirement.
Status: in_force

(a) All dealers and purchasers of new manufactured homes shall present or buy only housing urban and development (HUD) approved and compliant manufactured structures.

(b) All dealers and purchasers of new manufactured homes are required to record with the local building official data plate wind zone information as part of the installation application. Local building officials shall consider data plate wind zone information as part of their inspection and enforcement process.

(c) Owners of a home in a mobile- and manufactured-home park and owners of vacant lots in a mobile- and manufactured-home park shall not be prevented from replacing their existing home or placing a new home on a vacant lot notwithstanding any local zoning or land use ordinance to the contrary enacted subsequent to the establishment of the legally recognized lot on which the home is to be placed so long as all local and state building standards are satisfied and permits obtained.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-16
§ 31-11-16. Unlawful use of license.
Status: in_force

It is a civil violation for any person:

(1) To display, or cause or permit to be displayed, or have in his or her possession any cancelled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered operators or chauffeurs license;

(2) To lend his or her operators or chauffeurs license to any other person or knowingly permit the use of it by another;

(3) To display or represent as ones own any operators or chauffeurs license not issued to him or her;

(4) To fail or refuse to surrender to the division of motor vehicles upon its lawful demand any operators or chauffeurs license which has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled;

(5) To use a false or fictitious name in any application for an operators or chauffeurs license or to knowingly make a false statement or to knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application;

(6) To permit any unlawful use of an operators or chauffeurs license issued to him or her; or

(7) To do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-20-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-20 / Section 31-20-4
§ 31-20-4. Vehicles required to stop at all railroads  Exceptions.
Status: in_force

(a) The driver of any motor vehicle carrying passengers for hire, or of any school bus carrying any school child, or of any vehicle carrying explosive substances or flammable liquids as a cargo or part of a cargo, before crossing at grade any track or tracks of a railroad, shall stop the vehicle within fifty feet (50²) but not less than fifteen feet (15²) from the nearest rail of such railroad, and while so stopped, shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train, and for signals indicating the approach of a train, except as provided in this chapter, and shall not proceed until he or she can do so safely. After stopping as required in this section and upon proceeding when it is safe to do so, the driver of the vehicle shall cross only in a gear of the vehicle that there will be no necessity for changing gears while traversing the crossing, and the driver shall not shift gears while crossing the track or tracks.

(b) No stop need be made at any crossing where a police officer or a traffic control signal directs traffic to proceed.

(c) This section shall not apply at railroad grade crossings within a business or residence district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-13-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-13 / Section 31-13-7
§ 31-13-7. Signals at places other than intersections.
Status: in_force

In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of § 31-13-6 shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of the sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-31.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-31.2
§ 31-3-31.2. Custom vehicles  Definition  Registration and fees.
Status: in_force

(a) A custom vehicle means any motor vehicle that:

(1) Is at least twenty-five (25) or more years old and of a model year after 1948; or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle twenty-five (25) years old and of a model year after 1948; and

(2) Has been altered from the manufacturers original design; or has a body constructed from nonoriginal materials.

(3) The model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the certificate of title or registration certificate of a custom vehicle shall be the model year and year of manufacture that the body of such vehicle resembles.

(b) For each such custom vehicle, there shall be a one-time pre-registration surcharge of fifty dollars ($50.00) which said sum(s) shall be accumulated by the division of motor vehicles until such time as said sum reaches an aggregate of twenty-three thousand dollars ($23,000) whereupon said division is authorized to proceed with the ordering/manufacturing of plates as required by subsection (d) herein. In addition thereto, and from hence forth, there shall be paid regular registration fees required for standard passenger vehicles as determined by the division of motor vehicles.

(c)(1) In applying for registration of a custom vehicle under this section, the owner of the custom vehicle shall submit with the application a certification that the vehicle for which the application is made:

(i) Will be maintained for occasional transportation, exhibitions, club activities, parades, tours, and similar uses; and

(ii) Will not be used for general daily transportation.

(2) In addition to the certification required under subsection (c)(1) of this section, when applying for registration of a custom vehicle, the new owner of the custom vehicle shall provide proof acceptable to the administration that the custom vehicle passed a safety inspection that has been approved by the administration in consultation with the custom vehicle community in this state.

(d) On registration of a vehicle under this section, the administration shall issue a special custom vehicle registration plate of the size and design that the administration determines in consultation with the custom vehicle community of this state.

(e) Unless the presence of the equipment was specifically required by a statute of this state as a condition of sale in the year listed as the year of manufacture on the certificate of title, the presence of any specific equipment is not required for the operation of a vehicle registered under this section.

(f) A vehicle registered under this section is exempt from any statute that requires periodic vehicle inspections and from any statute that requires the use and inspections of emission controls.

(g) Signal lamps and devices  Street rod vehicles and custom vehicles:

(1) Blue dot tail light means a red lamp installed in the rear of a motor vehicle containing a blue or purple insert that is not more than one inch in diameter.

(2) A street rod or custom vehicle may use blue dot tail lights for stop lamps, rear turning indicator lamps, rear hazard lamps, and rear reflectors.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-38 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-38
§ 31-10-38. Denial, suspension, or revocation of commercial drivers school licenses.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles may deny an application for a license or suspend or revoke a license after it has been granted for any of the following reasons:

(1) A material misstatement by the applicant in his or her application for a license or the concealing of a material fact in connection with it.

(2) The applicant or any partner, officer, director, or stockholder in the school had previously held a drivers school license or was a partner, officer, director, or stockholder in a school which held a drivers school license, and that license was revoked or suspended by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

(3) The applicant or any partner, officer, director, stockholder, or employee in the school was convicted of any felony or misdemeanor.

(4) The applicant fails to furnish satisfactory evidence of good character, reputation, and fitness.

(5) Any willful failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter or with any rule or regulation promulgated by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles establishing instructional standards and procedures.

(6) Any conduct or representation by the applicant or any partner, officer, director, stockholder, or employee in the school tending to give the impression that a license to operate a motor vehicle or motorcycle or any other license or registration granted by the division of motor vehicles may be obtained by any means other than the means prescribed by law or tending to induce any person to resort to fraudulent representation, circumvention, concealment, or subterfuge in order to secure a license to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle.

(7) Knowingly employing as an instructor a person who has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor.

(8) Failure to furnish with the first application a copy of, or thereafter to maintain in force, a standard liability insurance policy approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles in the amount of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) for personal injury to or death of any one person, twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) for personal injury to or death of any number of persons involved in any one accident, and five thousand dollars ($5,000) for property damage in any one accident, suffered or caused by reason of the negligence of the applicant or licensee or his or her agent or employee.

(9) The applicant does not hold a currently effective certificate issued by a college or school whose course in basic driver education is approved by the state board of education, manifesting the satisfactory completion of that course.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-40-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-40 / Section 31-40-4
§ 31-40-4. Complaint to be filed by attorney general.
Status: in_force

The attorney general upon receiving the habitual offender transcripts or abstracts from the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall immediately file a complaint against the person named in it in the district court having jurisdiction of criminal offenses in the city or town in which the person resides. In the event the person is a nonresident of this state, the attorney general shall file a complaint against the accused person in the district court of the sixth judicial district.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-39 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-39
§ 31-23-39. Safety seat belts in new vehicles.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person to buy, sell, lease, trade, or transfer from or to Rhode Island residents at retail an automobile, which is manufactured or assembled commencing with the 1964 models, unless the vehicle is equipped with safety belts installed for use in the left front and right front seat.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-6
§ 31-5-6. Application for license.
Status: in_force

(a) Application for a license shall be made in duplicate to the licensor at the time and in the form and shall contain any information as the licensor shall require, and shall be accompanied by the required fee.

(b) The licensor may require in the application, or otherwise, information relating to:

(1) The applicants financial standing;

(2) The applicants business integrity;

(3) Whether the applicant has an established place of business and is engaged primarily in the business of buying and selling and servicing motor vehicles;

(4) Whether the applicant is able to properly conduct the business of a motor vehicle dealer; and

(5) Any other pertinent information consistent with the safeguarding of public interest in the location in which the applicant proposes to engage in business, all of which may be considered by the licensor in determining whether the grant of the application is in the public interest.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-34-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-34 / Section 31-34-7
§ 31-34-7. Notification to customer regarding insurance coverage.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever any car rental agency offers a collision damage waiver on the vehicle at an additional cost, it shall notify the lessee by providing the following language, (in ten (10) point type) in all rental agreements:

Notice: This contract offers, for an additional charge, a collision damage waiver to cover your responsibility for damage to the vehicle. Before deciding whether to purchase the collision damage waiver, you may wish to determine whether your own automobile insurance affords you coverage for damage to the rental vehicle and the amount of the deductible under your own insurance coverage. The purchase of collision damage waiver is not mandatory under this contract.

Read the collision damage waiver disclosure provision contained in this rental agreement before signing this agreement.

(b) The following uniform collision damage waiver provision shall be contained in every rental agreement:
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-9
§ 31-27-9. Parties to offenses.
Status: in_force

Every person who commits, attempts to commit, conspires to commit, or aids or abets in the commission of, any act declared in chapters 1  27 or chapter 34 of this title to be a crime, whether individually or in connection with one or more other persons, or as a principal, agent, or accessory, shall be guilty of that offense, and every person who falsely, fraudulently, forcibly, or willfully induces, causes, coerces, requires, permits, or directs another to violate any provision of those chapters is similarly guilty of the offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-6
§ 31-11-6. Offenses resulting in mandatory revocation of license.
Status: in_force

The license of any chauffeur or operator shall be immediately revoked upon receipt by the division of motor vehicles of a record of the operators or chauffeurs final conviction for any of the following offenses and the term of revocation shall be for the periods enumerated:

(1) Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle, or operating so as to endanger resulting in death, three (3) years;

(2) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a narcotic drug as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, which renders him or her incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle, one year;

(3) Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the period of time, if any, as may be ordered in the final sentence imposed by a court having jurisdiction to impose the sentence;

(4) Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used, eighteen (18) months;

(5) Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another, two (2) years;

(6) Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the division of motor vehicles under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles, two (2) years;

(7) Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three (3) charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve (12) months, three (3) years;

(8) Conviction of altered or fraudulent license used to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages, three (3) months.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-2
§ 31-23-2. Additional parts and accessories.
Status: in_force

(a) Nothing contained in this chapter or chapter 24 of this title shall be construed to prohibit the use of additional parts and accessories on any vehicle not inconsistent with the provisions of these chapters.

(b) No person shall install or adjust any equipment, part, or accessory on a motor vehicle that is intended for use on any highway, which would result in the motor vehicle or its operation being inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter or chapter 24 of this title and could result in the issuance of a notice pursuant to § 31-38-2. The penalty for the first violation of the provisions of the subsection shall be a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), for the second violation a fine of five hundred dollars ($500), and for the third and subsequent violations a fine of one thousand dollars ($1,000).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-11.2
§ 31-22-11.2. Maintenance of school buses.
Status: in_force

(a) All school buses, as defined in § 31-1-3, shall be maintained in a safe operating condition through an approved systematic preventive maintenance program. Defects which could create a hazard for riders or other road users shall be corrected before the vehicle transports children.

(b) The maintenance program shall be adequate to provide the proper care of all the equipment owned, leased, or contracted, and a written record shall be kept for all repairs conducted on each bus. The records shall be retained for the life of each vehicle and shall transfer with the vehicle when sold, and the record shall be available for inspection by the director of inspections during normal business hours. Included in these records shall be a record of any torque pressure as recommended by the manufacturer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-20 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-20
§ 31-23-20. Protuberances on tires.
Status: in_force

No tires on a vehicle moved on a highway shall have on its periphery any block, flange, cleat, or pointed spike or other protuberance of any material other than rubber which projects beyond the tread of the traction surface of the tire except that:

(1) It shall be permissible to use tires with flat-headed studs projecting one-sixteenth inch (1/16") or less beyond the tread of the traction surface from the fifteenth day of November to the first day of April;

(2) It shall be permissible to use farm machinery with tires having protuberances which will not injure the highway; and

(3) It shall be permissible to use tire chains of reasonable proportions upon any vehicle when required for safety because of snow, ice, or other conditions tending to cause a vehicle to skid.

(4) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-7-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-7 / Section 31-7-2
§ 31-7-2. Vehicles transporting persons or property for compensation.
Status: in_force

A nonresident owner of a foreign vehicle operated within this state for the transportation of persons or property for compensation or for the transportation of merchandise, either regularly according to a schedule or for a consecutive period exceeding thirty (30) days, shall register the vehicle and pay the same fees for it as is required for like vehicles owned by residents of this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-12
§ 31-5-12. Responsibility of licensee for acts of agents.
Status: in_force

It shall be sufficient cause for the denial, suspension, or revocation of any license issued under this chapter, that any officer, director, partner, trustee, or agent, including independent salespersons of the licensee, has been found by the department of revenue to have engaged in any conduct, act, or omission which would be cause for refusing, suspending, or revoking a license to that party as an individual.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-6.1
§ 31-10-6.1. Supervising driver.
Status: in_force

A supervising driver must be the parent, guardian, licensed foster parent or adult or a certified driver education instructor. A supervising driver must be a licensed driver who has been licensed to drive for five (5) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-8-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-8 / Section 31-8-4
§ 31-8-4. Suspension or revocation of registration or certificate of title.
Status: in_force

(a) The division of motor vehicles is authorized to suspend or revoke the registration of a vehicle or a certificate of title, registration card, or registration plate, or any nonresident or other permit, in any of the following events:

(1) When the division of motor vehicles is satisfied that the registration or that the certificate, card, plate, or permit was fraudulently or erroneously issued;

(2) When the division of motor vehicles determines that a registered vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated or moved upon the highways;

(3) When a registered vehicle has been dismantled or wrecked;

(4) When the division of motor vehicles determines that the required fee has not been paid and the fee is not paid upon reasonable notice and demand;

(5) When a registration plate or permit is knowingly displayed upon a vehicle other than the one for which issued;

(6) When the division of motor vehicles determines that the owner has committed any offense under chapters 3  9 of this title involving the registration or the certificate, card, plate, or permit to be suspended or revoked;

(7) When the division of motor vehicles is so authorized under any other provision of law; or

(8) Upon receipt of notice the carrier and/or operator of a commercial motor vehicle has violated or is not in compliance with 49 C.F.R. 386.72 or 49 C.F.R. 390.5 et seq. of the motor carrier safety regulations or chapter 23 of this title.

(b) Upon removal of cause for which the registration or certificate of title was revoked, denied, or suspended, the division of motor vehicles shall require the registrant or applicant to pay a restoration fee of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250), provided that no restoration fee shall be required if the revocation, denial, or suspension was issued pursuant to subsection (a)(2) of this section, §§ 31-38-2, 31-38-3, 31-38-4, or 31-47.1-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-11
§ 31-1-11. Railroads and trains.
Status: in_force

(a) Railroad means a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated upon stationary rails.

(b) Railroad train means an engine driven by steam, electric, or other means, excluding streetcars, with or without cars coupled to it, operated upon stationary rails.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-27 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-27
§ 31-10-27. License to be carried and exhibited on demand.
Status: in_force

(a) Every licensee shall have his or her operators or chauffeurs license in his or her immediate possession at all times when operating a motor vehicle and shall display the license upon the demand of any peace office or inspector of the division of motor vehicles and shall, upon request by any proper officer, write his or her name in the presence of that officer for the purpose of being identified. However, no person charged with violating this section shall be convicted if he or she produces in court or the office of the arresting officer an operators or chauffeurs license previously issued to him or her and valid at the time of his or her arrest.

(b) Every school bus operator shall display in a prominent place in the bus he or she is operating both a valid chauffeurs license or a reasonable facsimile of it, and a valid school bus drivers certificate, both of which have been issued by this state under the provisions of this title. A display case shall be provided to display these documents by the registered owner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-45 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-45
§ 31-24-45. Projecting loads.
Status: in_force

Whenever the load upon any vehicle extends to the rear or front four feet (4²) or more beyond the bed or body of the vehicle, there shall be displayed at the extreme rear end or front of the load, at the time specified in § 31-24-1, a red light or lantern plainly visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500²) to the sides, rear and front. The red light or lantern required under this section shall be in addition to the red rear light required upon every vehicle. At any other time there shall be displayed at the extreme rear or front end of such load a red flag or cloth not less than twelve inches (12") square and so hung that the entire area is visible to the driver of a vehicle approaching from either direction. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-9.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-9.2
§ 31-44-9.2. Investigations.
Status: in_force

When, in the opinion of the director, sufficient cause exists to begin an investigation of alleged violations of any provision of this chapter or a license issued pursuant to this chapter, the director may commence an investigation of any act or practice or failure to act of any mobile and manufactured home park owner or operator and may bill the costs of the investigation to the mobile home park owner or operator. However, the investigation fees payable under this section shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) in any one calendar year unless the director petitions the superior court for the ability to continue the investigation, at which time the director shall demonstrate to the courts satisfaction that further investigation is warranted, whereby the fees may exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-11.1
§ 31-22-11.1. Enforcement of inspections of school buses.
Status: in_force

(a) Failure of a school bus to appear for a scheduled inspection shall result in that school bus registration being immediately suspended. Notification of the failure to appear and the suspension order shall be sent to the registered owner and to the superintendent and the school committee of the district for which the bus transports children.

(b) Failure of a school bus to pass any inspection shall result in written notice to the registered owner to bring the bus into compliance within five (5) days or face suspension of the school bus registration. Notification of the failure of the bus to pass inspection shall also be sent to the superintendent and the school department for which the bus transports children.

(c) The suspensions shall remain in effect until the time that the bus passes inspection. No school bus will be used to transport children after failing an inspection until the time it is brought into compliance and passes inspection. Notification that a bus has passed inspection shall be sent to the registered owner, the school superintendent, and the school committee for which the bus transports children.

(d) The division of motor vehicles is authorized to enact such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to enforce this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-17
§ 31-1-17. Types of persons.
Status: in_force

(a) Bailee means a bailee is one to whom possession of personal property has been entrusted by the bailor for a specific purpose resulting from either an express or implied contract, with the understanding that this personal property shall be returned to the bailor or any person designated by the bailor when the terms and purposes of the contract have been accomplished.

(b) Chauffeur means any person who drives a jitney, bus, school bus, motor vehicle used principally for hire with operator, or trackless trolley coach, regardless of the vehicles capacity, and any person who drives a truck, tractor, or tractor semi-trailer, if the gross vehicle weight is twenty-six thousand and one pounds (26,001 lbs.) or more. Proper officers and drivers of fire apparatus when in the performance of their duties are not deemed to be chauffeurs.

(c) Driver means any operator or chauffeur who drives or is in actual physical control of a vehicle.

(d) Operator means every person, other than a chauffeur, who drives or is in actual physical control of a motor vehicle upon a highway or who is exercising control over or steering a vehicle being towed by a motor vehicle.

(e) Owner means a person who holds the legal title to a vehicle. In the event a vehicle is the subject of an agreement for conditional sale or lease with right of purchase upon performance of stated conditions and immediate right of possession vested in the vendee or lessee, or in the event a mortgagor of a vehicle is entitled to possession, then the conditional vendee, lessee, or mortgagor is deemed the owner for the purposes of chapters 1  27 of this title.

(f) Pedestrian means any person afoot.

(g) Person means every individual, firm, partnership, corporation, or association.

(h) Skateboarder, rollerskater, inline skater, or scooter rider means any person who utilizes a human-powered device containing any number of wheels, whether in tandem or inline, which enables the person to propel himself or herself in a given direction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-2-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-2 / Section 31-2-17
§ 31-2-17. Summons of witnesses  Taking of testimony.
Status: in_force

(a) In the performance of their duties under this title, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, or any duly authorized assistant, or hearing officer or officers appointed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, may summon witnesses in behalf of the state and may administer oaths and take testimony.

(b) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles, assistant, or hearing officer may also cause depositions to be taken and may order the production of books, papers, agreements, and documents. Failure, without justifiable cause, to appear and testify when summoned in accordance with this section shall be deemed a misdemeanor.

(c) The fees for the attendance and travel of witnesses shall be the same as for witnesses before the district court. The sixth division of the district court shall have jurisdiction in equity upon application of the division of motor vehicles to enforce all lawful orders of the division of motor vehicles under this section. A party aggrieved by an order of the court may appeal the order to the supreme court in accordance with the procedures contained in the rules of appellate procedure of the supreme court.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-42 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-42
§ 31-3-42. Camper plates.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue plates designated as camper plates to any person who shall register a travel trailer, pick-up coach, pick-up camper, motorized camper, or tent trailer. In addition, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue a registration certificate to any person registering a pick-up coach or pick-up camper, which shall be affixed to the coach or camper portion of the vehicle and for which there shall be an additional registration fee of three dollars ($3.00). The design of the certificate shall be prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and the certificate shall be maintained in a manner and location prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-11
§ 31-5-11. Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license.
Status: in_force

The department may deny an application for a license, or suspend or revoke a license after it has been granted, for the following reasons:

(1) On proof of unfitness of applicant to do business as a motor vehicle dealer.

(2) For any material misstatement by an applicant in an application for a license.

(3) For any willful failure to comply with the provisions of this section or with any rule or regulation promulgated by the department under §§ 31-5-1  31-5-20.

(4) For willfully defrauding any buyer of a motor vehicle.

(5) For any willful failure to perform any written agreement with any buyer of a motor vehicle.

(6) For having made a fraudulent sale, transaction, or repossession.

(7) For any fraudulent misrepresentation, circumvention, or concealment, through whatsoever subterfuge or device, of any of the material particulars of any sale to any buyer of a motor vehicle.

(8) For knowingly permitting any salesperson to sell or exchange, or offer or attempt to sell or exchange, any motor vehicle except for the licensed motor vehicle dealer by whom he or she is employed, or to offer, transfer, or assign any sale or exchange, that he or she may have negotiated, to any other dealer.

(9) For the employment of any fraudulent device, method, or process in connection with the compliance with any requirement under statutes of this state with respect to the retaking of goods under a retail installment contract and the redemption and resale of those goods.

(10) For having indulged in any unconscionable practice relating to business as a motor vehicle dealer.

(11) For having violated any law relating to the sale, distribution, or financing of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-9-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-9 / Section 31-9-3
§ 31-9-3. Injuring or tampering with vehicles.
Status: in_force

Any person who either individually or in association with one or more other persons willfully injures or tampers with any vehicle or breaks or removes any part or parts of or from a vehicle without the consent of the owner is guilty of a misdemeanor.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-41 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-41
§ 31-23-41. Safety belts in public service vehicles.
Status: in_force

Every jitney, bus, private bus, school bus, and trackless trolley coach, when operated upon a highway, shall be equipped with a drivers seat safety belt device sufficiently anchored and attached and so constructed, designed, and installed as to support a loop-load strength of not less than five thousand pounds (5,000 lbs.) and a buckle or closing device which shall be of a construction and design that it can be released with one hand with a pull of less than forty-five pounds (45 lbs.). Every person when driving any vehicle of this kind shall use and have his or her body anchored by the seat safety belt. Violation of this section shall constitute a civil violation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-37-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-37 / Section 31-37-10
§ 31-37-10. Term of licenses  Fee.
Status: in_force

(a) Any license issued by the tax administrator to an owner for the operation of a retail filling station, or to a peddler of gasoline, shall, from the date of the issuance of the license, be and remain in full force and effect until or unless:

(1) Suspended or revoked by the tax administrator;

(2) The business with respect to which the license was issued shall change ownership; or

(3) The owner or peddler shall cease to transact the business for which the license was issued.

(b) In any of which cases the license shall expire and terminate, and its holder shall immediately return the license to the tax administrator. There shall be no fee for this license.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-7
§ 31-22-7. Following fire apparatus.
Status: in_force

The driver of any vehicle other than one on official business, shall not follow any fire apparatus traveling in response to a fire alarm closer than five hundred feet (500²), or drive into or park the vehicle within the block where fire apparatus has stopped in answer to a fire alarm. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-10
§ 31-3-10. Issuance of registration plates.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles, upon registering a vehicle, shall issue to the owner one fully reflective registration plate for each motorcycle, trailer, semi-trailer, in-transit vehicle, transporter, bailee vehicle, or a dealer vehicle and two (2) fully reflective registration plates for every other motor vehicle. Application for and issuance of so-called commercial registration plates shall be provided at all offices maintained by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles under § 31-2-6.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-36-18 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-36 / Section 31-36-18
§ 31-36-18. Appeals involving licenses or registrations.
Status: in_force

(a) Any distributor, owner, or person aggrieved by any order of the administrator made under the provisions of this chapter or chapter 37 of this title, involving the issuance, suspension, or revocation of a license, permit, or certificate of registration or any other matter (but not including assessments of taxes, interest, and penalties) may appeal the order to the sixth division of the district court by filing within thirty (30) days from the date of the notice to the distributor, owner, or person of the issuance of the order appealed from, a petition in the court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken.

(b) Upon the filing of the petition, the court shall cause thirty (30) days notice of the pendency of it to be given to the administrator by serving the administrator in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of the petition, and the petition shall follow the course of equity so far as the same is applicable. Upon hearing the petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing, investigator and examiners reports, or other information upon which the administrators action was taken, and may in its discretion, affirm or overrule or modify the order of the administrator. The taking of the appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the administrator from which the appeal is taken, and the order shall remain in full force and effect during the dependency of the appeal unless otherwise ordered by the court.

(c) A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek review of the order in the Supreme Court by writ of certiorari in accordance with the procedures contained in § 42-35-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-20-10.3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-20 / Section 31-20-10.3
§ 31-20-10.3. School bus stops  Routes.
Status: in_force

(a) No school bus shall stop to discharge or pick up passengers at any intersection where a traffic control device as defined in § 31-1-28 controls the movement of the bus.

(b) No school bus shall stop to discharge or pick up passengers at any location which would require a child to cross any road where the posted speed limit is greater than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph). School bus stops shall be developed in such a manner which assures that the bus stop will be on the childs home side of the road so that the child does not have to cross the road to board the bus or to reach home.

(c) No school superintendent, school committee, contractor, or school bus owner shall put into effect any school bus route which cannot be completed in the time allotted without exceeding posted speed limits.

(d) All school bus routes shall be reviewed by the local police chief of each city and town for safety hazards within ninety (90) days before the start of the school year.

(e) Any party may appeal the decision of a local police chief approving or disapproving any bus route or stop to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education who shall hold a hearing as provided in § 16-39-1.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-6
§ 31-25-6. Maximum number and length of coupled vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) No combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than three (3) units, a truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and trailer. The combination of vehicles shall not be restricted in overall length, except that when a truck-tractor, semi-trailer, and a trailer are used in combination, the trailer or semi-trailer each shall not exceed twenty-eight and one-half feet (28² 6³), excluding bumpers and accessories. Provided, however, that combinations of vehicles consisting of three (3) units shall be permitted to operate only on the interstate highway system and on those highways, streets, and roads designated by the director of the department of transportation.

(b) Combinations of vehicles consisting of truck-tractor and semi-trailer coupled together shall not be restricted in overall length, and semi-trailers shall not exceed fifty-three feet (53²) in length, excluding bumpers and accessories. Towaway trailer transporter combinations shall not be restricted to an overall length limitation of less than eighty-two feet (82²). Semi-trailers exceeding forty-eight and one-half feet (48² 6³) shall be permitted to operate only on the interstate highway system and on those highways, streets, and roads designated by the director of the department of transportation. Exceptions to the requirements of this section include the use of a pole trailer and combinations designed to transport motor vehicles and/or automobiles as authorized in §§ 31-25-7 and 31-25-8. The provision that no combination of vehicles coupled together shall consist of more than three (3) units shall not apply to vehicles coupled together by a saddle mount device used to transport motor vehicles in a drive-away service when no more than three (3) saddle mounts are used, and equipment used in the combination is approved by Part 393.71 of the federal motor carrier safety regulations, 49 C.F.R. § 393.71, and safety regulations of the division of motor vehicles of the department of revenue of the state of Rhode Island as this federal and/or state legislation may be amended or revised from time to time. Any owner or operator found deviating from the approved permitted routes shall be fined a minimum mandatory fine of five hundred dollars ($500), but not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000).

(c) The distance from the kingpin of the trailer to the center of the rear axle may not exceed forty-one feet (41²).

(d) Fifty-three foot (53²) trailers shall be equipped with a rear-end protection device of substantial construction consisting of a continuous lateral beam extending to within four inches (4³) of the lateral extremities of the trailer, and located not more than twenty-two inches (22³) from the surface of the road as measured with the vehicle empty and on level surface.

(e) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the maximum number or length of coupled vehicles, as permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined two hundred dollars ($200) per foot over length or portion of it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-45-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-45 / Section 31-45-4
§ 31-45-4. Penalty.
Status: in_force

Every person convicted of violating this chapter shall be punished by a fine of not less than fifty dollars ($50.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-14
§ 31-22-14. Towing  Costs paid by owner.
Status: in_force

(a) The owner, or person having custody and control as authorized by the owner, of any motor vehicle which is towed away from any public roadway because it is in violation of a state law or city or town ordinance, or which is towed from the scene of an accident or breakdown, or which is towed as the result of the lawful detention of an unlicensed operator, including those operating after denial, suspension, or revocation of license, shall be liable for the cost of towing, storage, and other incidental expenses in connection with the towing.

(b) The owner or operator of this section shall be responsible for the towing, storage and incidental expenses and for the towing or transportation fees to a demolisher or crusher and any crushing preparation fees associated with gas tanks, auto fluff, and battery acid and tire removal which exceed the salvage value of the vehicle.

(c) Any owner or operator who should fail to pay the costs and expenses set forth in this section within thirty (30) days of the receipt of written notice from the tow company, police department or demolisher shall be punished by a fine upon conviction not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-19 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-19
§ 31-23-19. Metal tires prohibited.
Status: in_force

No person shall operate or move on any highway any motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer having any metal tire in contact with the roadway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-58 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-58
§ 31-23-58. Department of transportation  Vehicles  Backup warning device.
Status: in_force

All state trucks in use by the department of transportation shall be equipped with a backup warning device that meets the latest minimum standards as promulgated by either federal occupational health and safety standards or the standards set by the department of transportation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-53-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-53 / Section 31-53-2
§ 31-53-2. Purpose.
Status: in_force

Airbag system fraud is a public safety concern for consumers and the automobile insurance system. Efforts to combat this problem, one that could place innocent consumers at-risk of serious bodily injuries, have been piecemeal. This chapter is intended to address the issue in a coordinated way. It is through this collective effort that consumers will be protected and the integrity of the restraint system assured.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-63 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-63
§ 31-3-63. High Sheriff Emeritus  Anthony A. Giorgio.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to issue a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle of the former high sheriff of Kent County, Anthony A. Giorgio. This plate is to bear the identification High Sheriff Emeritus along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Anthony A. Giorgio so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-51-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-51 / Section 31-51-5
§ 31-51-5. Driver/registered owner liability.
Status: in_force

(a) The registered owner of a motor vehicle shall not operate or allow the motor vehicle to be operated in violation of this chapter. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that the registered owner of the vehicle that is photographed pursuant to this chapter was operating the vehicle.

(b) In all prosecutions of civil traffic violations based on evidence obtained from a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system as provided under this chapter, the registered owner of the vehicle shall be primarily responsible in all prosecutions of violations pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, except as otherwise provided under this chapter.

(c) In the event that the registered owner of the vehicle operated in violation of this chapter was not the operator of the vehicle at the time of the violation, the registered owner shall either:

(1) Accept responsibility for the violation by paying the fine; or

(2) Upon receipt of the notice of the violation, provide the issuing authority, within twenty (20) days of the date of issuance, the name and address of the individual operating the vehicle at the time which the violation occurred.

(d) It shall be prima facie evidence, establishing a rebuttable presumption, that the owner of the registered motor vehicle was the operator of the vehicle at the time of the violation if the registered owner of the motor vehicle fails to pay the fine and fails to proceed under subdivision (c)(2) of this section. Evidence offered pursuant to this chapter shall be sufficient to establish a violation of § 31-51-2.2 by clear and convincing evidence.

(e) The owner of a rented or leased motor vehicle may establish non-liability for violations issued pursuant to this chapter by providing to the issuing authority a copy of the written rental or a lease agreement which shall be prima facie evidence, establishing a rebuttable presumption, that the lessee was the operator of the vehicle. In the event that the lessee was not the operator of the motor vehicle at the time of the violation, the lessee shall either:

(1) Accept responsibility for the violation by paying the fine; or

(2) Upon receipt of the notice of the violation, provide the issuing authority within twenty (20) days of the date of issuance, the name and address of the individual operating the vehicle at the time which the violation occurred.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-7
§ 31-38-7. Operation of official stations.
Status: in_force

(a) No permit for an official station shall be assigned or transferred or used at any location other than designated in it, and the permit shall be posted in a conspicuous place at the designated location.

(b) The state-certified person operating an official inspection station shall issue a certificate of inspection and approval upon an official form to the owner of a vehicle upon inspection of the vehicle and determining that its equipment required under the provisions of this chapter is in good condition and proper adjustment, otherwise, no certificate shall be issued. A record and report shall be made of every inspection and every certificate issued. The records shall be kept available for review by those employees of the department of revenue that the director may designate.

(c) The following fees shall be charged for inspection and issuance of certificate of inspection and approval:

(1) For every vehicle with a registered gross weight of not more than eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.), the fee shall be included with the fee charged pursuant to § 31-47.1-11;

(2) For every vehicle of a registered gross weight of more than eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) or more, except trailers, fifteen dollars ($15.00);

(3) For every motorcycle and electrically powered vehicle, eleven dollars ($11.00);

(4) For every trailer or semi-trailer with a registered gross weight of more than one thousand pounds (1,000 lbs.), eleven dollars ($11.00); and

(5) Provided, that for the inspection of vehicles used for the transportation of persons for hire, as provided in § 31-22-12, and subject to an inspection pursuant to chapter 47.1 of this title, the fee shall be included with the fee charged pursuant to § 31-47.1-11.

(d) The director of the department of revenue may establish a state inspection facility at which any motor vehicle may be reinspected at no cost to the owner. The state inspection facility may inspect all public conveyance vehicles or these inspections may be otherwise provided for by the director, or any other vehicles which, in the opinion of the director of revenue, or his or her designee, require specific testing to ensure for the health and safety of the general public.

(e) Any other inspections or activities which may be required to be performed at a state inspection facility may be performed at any official inspection station if determined by the director.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-1.6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-1.6
§ 31-44-1.6. Fees and charges for licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of business regulation shall promulgate rules to establish fees and charges for the issuance of licenses or permits required in this chapter.

(b) The fees and charges under this chapter shall be applied solely to fulfilling the various responsibilities of the department as specified within this chapter.

(c) All fees and charges collected by the department under this chapter shall be deposited as general revenues.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-10
§ 31-25-10. Fastening of load and covering.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall operate on any highway any vehicle with any load unless the load and any covering on it is securely fastened so as to prevent the covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway.

(b) No motor truck trailer or semitrailer that is used for the purpose of hauling logs, pulpwood, lumber, or other materials that by their very nature may shift or roll so as to be likely to fall from the vehicle, shall be operated or moved over any highway unless its load is securely fastened to the vehicle by chains, cables, or other approved devices as will effectively prevent the shifting of the load or any part of it falling from the vehicle. The ends of the chains, cables, or other devices and any tire chains shall be tied securely, whether the vehicle is loaded or unloaded, so that loose ends shall not endanger pedestrians or other vehicles encountered on the highway.

(c) This section shall not be construed to include a truck transporting lumber, wood, or sawmill wastes, when transported in a box type body with solid sides, provided that the truck is not loaded higher than its side-boards.

(d) A person who violates the provisions of this section shall be fined:

(1) Not more than one hundred dollars ($100) for the first violation; and

(2) Not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for any subsequent violations.

(e) No person shall operate a motor truck or other vehicle carrying or transporting any rubbish, refuse, or other debris or loose material on any highway without first securely fastening a covering on it to prevent the contents from falling to the highway. No person shall operate on any highway any vehicle with any load unless the load and any covering on it is securely fastened so as to prevent that covering or load from becoming loose, detached, or in any manner a hazard to other users of the highway. The covering must remain in place and secured during travel on any highway until the contents have been properly cleaned and purged from the vehicle.

(f) No person shall operate an open motor truck or other similar vehicle while carrying or transporting any child under sixteen (16) years of age without securely fastening the child to prevent them from becoming loose or detached in any manner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-3.3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-3.3
§ 31-44-3.3. Future qualified sale of mobile- and manufactured-home community.
Status: in_force

The qualified sale of a mobile- or manufactured-home community to a resident-owned organization is exempt from the real estate conveyance tax imposed under chapter 44-25.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-47 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-47
§ 31-23-47. Slow moving vehicle emblems.
Status: in_force

(a) Except where otherwise specifically provided in this section, every motor vehicle designed for operation at speeds not in excess of twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph) shall at all times be equipped with a slow moving vehicle emblem mounted on the rear of the vehicle, which emblem shall comply with the current standards and specifications approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.

(b) Every motor vehicle normally operating at speeds not in excess of twenty-five miles per hour (25 mph) shall at all times be equipped with the emblem in the following manner:

(1) Where a towed unit is sufficiently large to obscure any slow moving emblem on the rear of a motor vehicle only the towed unit need be equipped with the emblem; and

(2) Where the slow moving vehicle emblem on the motor vehicle would not be obscured by the towed unit, then either or both may be equipped with the required emblem but it shall be sufficient if either has it.

(3) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-6.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-6.1
§ 31-3-6.1. List of vehicles and licenses on which taxes delinquent  Denial of renewal of registration and licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator/division of motor vehicles shall furnish to the Tax Administrator a listing showing the names, addresses and social security numbers of persons whose operators license and/or motor vehicle registration is subject to renewal within ninety (90) days. If within ninety (90) days prior to the renewal date the tax administrator determines that any person seeking to renew his/her operators license and/or registration has neglected or refused to file any tax returns or to pay any tax administered by the tax administrator and that such tax matter is not pending administrative or appellate review, the tax administrator shall send a written notice to such person informing him/her of the tax administrators intention to inform the division of motor vehicles not to renew the persons operator license and/or motor vehicle registration and of the procedures available to the person to contest that determination.

(b) Within twenty-one (21) days from the date of such notice, the licensee or registrant may request, in writing, a conference with the tax administrator or his/her designee, in order to show proof of payment of all taxes or for the purpose of entering into a time payment agreement for the delinquent taxes satisfactory to the tax administrator.

(c) If upon the expiration of twenty-one (21) days from the date of the notice to the licensee or registrant or, if a conference has been requested, after a conference has been held, the licensee or registrant has not demonstrated to the satisfaction of the tax administrator that he/she has filed all required returns and paid all required taxes, or that the licensee or registrant has not entered into time payment arrangement satisfactory to the tax administrator, the tax administrator shall notify the administrator/division of motor vehicles that the licensee or registrant is delinquent in filing tax returns and/or remitting taxes due. The tax administrator shall send a copy of the notification to the licensee or registrant.

(d) The administrator/division of motor vehicles shall not renew any operators license or registration upon expiration thereof until all state taxes, interest and attendant penalties have been paid in full or the licensee or registrant has entered into a time payment agreement satisfactory to the tax administrator.

(e) If the licensee thereafter files an overdue return and/or remits past taxes due or enters into a satisfactory time payment agreement with respect to any and all returns due and taxes payable, the tax administrator shall, within five (5) business days of a licensees request, provide the appropriate agency or authority the certificate of good standing specified in § 5-76-5. Within five (5) business days of receiving such a certificate, the agency or authority shall reinstate, reissue, renew or otherwise extend the licensees license.

(f) Payment of tax not an admission. If the licensee or registrant files an overdue return and/or remits past due taxes in order to apply for or renew a license or registration, said late filing and/or payment shall not be an admission of a violation of any criminal tax statute regarding late filing and/or late payment. The tax administrator shall not refer such person to the Attorney General for prosecution based solely upon said late filing and/or payment of past due taxes.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-7
§ 31-5-7. Duration of license.
Status: in_force

(a) Application for license shall be made to the department. Licenses shall be valid, unless sooner revoked or suspended, until December 31st of each year for one year and shall be renewable on or before expiration, upon application and payment of the fee required by this chapter.

(b) Commencing January 1, 2015, licenses shall be valid, unless sooner revoked or suspended, until December 31, 2017, and shall be renewable thereafter every three (3) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-128 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-128
§ 31-3-128. Special plate for the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit entity, Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. The plates shall be designed to reference the not-for-profit entity, Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, and which license plate design shall include references to both the Newport Folk and Newport Jazz festivals with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. plates shall be subject to compliance with § 31-3-117 relating to the number of minimum prepaid orders of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.) and any required payment. The Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paper work submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. to preserve the historic Newport Jazz and Folk Festivals and provide access to music education programs in Rhode Island to ensure that every person can experience the benefits of music.

(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc.

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. plates, the Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Newport Festivals Foundation, Inc. plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-13-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-13 / Section 31-13-2
§ 31-13-2. Devices on state highways.
Status: in_force

(a) The state traffic commission shall place and maintain any traffic control devices, conforming to its manual and specifications, upon any state highways, that it shall deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of chapters 12  27 of this title or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.

(b) No local authority shall place or maintain any traffic control device upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the state traffic commission except by the latters permission.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-10
§ 31-10-10. Rules as to armed forces license.
Status: in_force

The special license provided for in §§ 31-10-8 and 31-10-9, shall be issued under any rules and in any form that the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may prescribe. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-13 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-13
§ 31-15-13. Divided highways.
Status: in_force

Whenever any highway has been divided into two (2) roadways by leaving an unpaved intervening space or by a physical barrier, every vehicle shall be driven only upon the right-hand roadway and no vehicle shall be driven over, across, or within a dividing space, barrier, or section, except through an opening in the physical barrier or dividing section or space or at a crossover or intersection established by public authority. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-1
§ 31-25-1. Compliance with chapter required.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) Except in reference to §§ 31-25-16 and 31-25-27 where it shall be considered a violation, it is a civil violation for any carrier to drive or move or to cause or permit to be driven or moved on any highway any vehicle or vehicles of a size or weight exceeding the limitations stated in this chapter or otherwise in violation of this chapter, and the maximum size and weight of vehicles specified in this chapter shall be lawful throughout this state. Local authorities shall have no power or authority to alter the limitations except as express authority may be granted in this chapter.

(2) Carrier includes any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle.

(b) The director of the department of transportation shall promulgate rules and regulations and requirements consistent with this chapter for the application and issuance of permits for overweight and oversize vehicles or loads.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-51-8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-51 / Section 31-51-8
§ 31-51-8. Security of records.
Status: in_force

(a) The recorded images and live video produced by a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system shall not be deemed public records subject to disclosure pursuant to subdivision 38-2-2(4)(i).

(b) All recorded images and live video that do not identify a violation shall be destroyed within twenty-four (24) hours of the date the live video was recorded, unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) All recorded images and live video that identify a violation shall be destroyed within one year after the citation is resolved by administrative payment, trial or other final disposition of the citation, unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(d) The privacy of records produced pursuant to this chapter shall be maintained; provided, that aggregate data not containing personal identifying information may be released.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-2-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-2 / Section 31-2-15
§ 31-2-15. Seizure of documents and plates.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to take possession of any registration card, permit, license, or registration plate issued by it upon expiration, revocation, cancellation, or suspension, or which is fictitious, or which has been unlawfully or erroneously issued.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-7
§ 31-27-7. Commercial vehicles  Off-duty conditions  Emergency exceptions.
Status: in_force

The periods of release from duty required in §§ 31-27-5 and 31-27-6 shall be given at any places and under any circumstances that rest and relaxation from the strain of the duties of employment may be obtained. No period off duty shall be deemed to break the continuity of service unless it is for at least three (3) consecutive hours at a place where there is opportunity for rest. In case of an unfortunate emergency the driver may complete his or her run or tour of duty if the run or tour of duty but for the delay caused by the emergency would reasonably have been completed without a violation of §§ 31-27-5  31-27-8.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-52-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-52 / Section 31-52-2
§ 31-52-2. Equipment.
Status: in_force

(a) All nonlaw enforcement funeral escort vehicles and funeral lead vehicles shall be equipped with at least one lighted rotating or oscillating lamp exhibiting an amber light or lens visible under normal atmospheric conditions for a distance of at least five hundred (500) feet from the front of the vehicle. A funeral escort vehicle or a funeral lead vehicle may illuminate a rotating or oscillating amber light only when the vehicle is in use in a funeral procession.

(b) Any law enforcement funeral escort vehicle may be equipped with a red, blue, or amber flashing light which meet the criteria established in subsection (a) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-19 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-19
§ 31-38-19. Severability.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter will be severable and if any of the provisions shall be held to be invalid the decision of the court respecting the provision or provisions shall not affect the validity of any other provision which can be given effect without the invalid provision.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-6.5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-6.5
§ 31-10-6.5. Insurance status.
Status: in_force

The holder of a limited instruction permit is not considered a licensed driver for purposes of determining the inexperience operator premium surcharge pursuant to automobile insurance policies.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-4
§ 31-3-4. Proof of payment of sales or use tax.
Status: in_force

Each person, before obtaining an original or transferral registration for a motor vehicle in this state, shall furnish evidence that any tax due with reference to the motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of chapters 18 and 19 of title 44 has been paid in accordance with regulations prescribed by the tax administrator, and on any forms that are approved by the tax administrator and the state administrator of the division of motor vehicles. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, upon the request of the tax administrator, and after due hearing by the tax administrator, suspend or revoke a motor vehicle registration of any person who fails to pay any tax due in connection with the sale, storage, use, or other consumption of the motor vehicle pursuant to the provisions of chapters 18 and 19.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-34 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-34
§ 31-3-34. Notice of change of address.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person after applying for or obtaining the registration of a vehicle shall move from the address named in the application or shown upon a registration card, that person shall within ten (10) days subsequent to moving notify the division of motor vehicles in writing of his or her former and current addresses. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-11
§ 31-19-11. Bicycles and motorized wheelchairs on sidewalks and crosswalks.
Status: in_force

A person may ride any vehicle operated by human power or may operate a motorized wheelchair or an electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) as defined in § 31-1-3 upon and along a sidewalk, a bicycle lane, a bicycle route or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, unless prohibited by official traffic-control devices (signs).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-37-19 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-37 / Section 31-37-19
§ 31-37-19. Ordinances controlling location of pumps.
Status: in_force

Nothing contained in this chapter shall affect the validity of any ordinance or other local regulation respecting the location of any pump.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-57 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-57
§ 31-3-57. Police Chief Emeritus  John T. Botelho.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to issue a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle of former police chief of the town of East Greenwich, John T. Botelho. This plate is to bear the identification Police Chief Emeritus, along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as John T. Botelho so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-14 / Section 31-14-12
§ 31-14-12. Speed limits on bridges and structures.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall drive a vehicle over any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway at a speed which is greater than the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure, when the structure is signposted as provided in this section.

(b) The state traffic commission upon request from any local authority shall, or upon its own initiative may, conduct an investigation of any bridge or other elevated structure constituting a part of a highway. If it shall find that the structure cannot with safety to itself withstand vehicles traveling at the speed otherwise permissible under this chapter, the commission shall determine and declare the maximum speed of vehicles which the structure can withstand, and shall cause or permit suitable signs stating the maximum speed to be erected and maintained at a distance of one hundred feet (100²) before each end of the structure.

(c) Upon the trial of any person charged with a violation of this section, proof of the determination of the maximum speed by the commission and the existence of the signs shall constitute conclusive evidence of the maximum speed which can be maintained with safety to the bridge or structure.

(d) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-30 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-30
§ 31-22-30. Distracted driving prohibited while operating a motor vehicle.
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) Driving means operating a motor vehicle on a public road, including operation while temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic light or stop sign, or otherwise, but does not include operating a motor vehicle when the vehicle has pulled over to the side of, or off, an active roadway and has stopped in a location where it can safely remain stationary.

(2) Hands free means the manner in which a wireless handset is operated by using an internal feature or function, or through an attachment or addition, including, but not limited to, an earpiece, headset, remote microphone, or short-range wireless connection, thereby allowing the user to operate said device without the use of hands, except to activate, deactivate, or initiate a feature or function thereof.

(3) Inoperability means a motor vehicle that is incapable of being operated or being operated in a safe and prudent manner due to mechanical failure, including, but not limited to, engine overheating or tire failure.

(4) Motor vehicle means any vehicle that is self-propelled by a motor, including, but not limited to: automobiles, trucks, vans, construction vehicles, etc.

(5) Person means any natural person, corporation, unincorporated association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock association, or other entity or business organization of any kind.

(6) Personal wireless communication device means a hand-held device through which personal wireless services (commercial mobile services, unlicensed wireless services, and common carrier wireless exchange access services) are transmitted, but does not include a global navigation satellite receiver used for positioning, emergency notification, or navigation purposes.

(7) Stopped means not in motion.

(8) Text message, also referred to as short messaging service (SMS), means the process by which users send, read, or receive messages on a wireless handset, including text messages, instant messages, electronic messages, or e-mails, in order to communicate with any person or device.

(9) [Deleted by P.L. 2025, ch. 401, § 1 and P.L. 2025, ch. 402, § 1.]

(10) Wireless handset means a portable electronic or computing device, including mobile devices and personal digital assistants (PDAs), capable of transmitting data.

(b) No person shall use a wireless handset or personal wireless communication device to compose, read, or send text messages, or for any other purpose while driving a motor vehicle on any public street or public highway within the state of Rhode Island except for:

(1) Any law enforcement, public safety or police officers, emergency services officials, first aid, emergency medical technicians and personnel, and fire safety officials in the performance of duties arising out of, and in the course of, their employment as such;

(2) A person using a wireless handset to contact an individual listed in subsection (b)(1);

(3) A person using a wireless handset or personal wireless communication device inside a motor vehicle while such motor vehicle is parked, standing, or stopped and is removed from the flow of traffic, in accordance with applicable laws, rules, or ordinances, or is stopped due to the inoperability of such motor vehicle;

(4) A person activating, viewing, or deactivating a global positioning or navigation device or a global positioning or navigation application while the handset is mounted or otherwise affixed to the vehicle to allow for hands-free operation; or

(5) The use of a personal wireless communication device in a hands-free manner, with a hands-free accessory, or with the activation or deactivation of a feature or function of the personal wireless communication device with the motion of a single swipe or tap of the finger of the driver.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a person driving a motor vehicle from utilizing a hands-free wireless handset.

The nonemergency use by pilot/escort vehicle drivers of portable electronic devices is prohibited.

(d) Any person who violates any of the provisions of this section shall, upon conviction, be subject to a fine of one hundred dollars ($100); for a second conviction a person shall be subject to a fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150); and for a third or subsequent conviction a person shall be subject to a fine of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). All violations arising out of this section shall be heard in the Rhode Island traffic tribunal.

(e) If the offending operator elects to dispose of the charge without personally appearing before the traffic tribunal, then in accordance with the provisions of § 31-41.1-3, the operator shall execute the form indicated and return it to the traffic tribunal not later than twenty (20) days from the date of the summons, either by mailing or delivering the form and summons, to the violation section of the traffic tribunal, or to its designee, together with a check or money order in the amount indicated by the fine schedule on the form in addition to any technology surcharge applied by the traffic tribunal assessed in accordance with § 8-15-11.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-49 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-49
§ 31-10-49. Autism designations for motor vehicle operators  Blue envelope program.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles, in consultation with the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association and the Governors Commission on Disabilities, shall develop and institute a Blue Envelope Program to enhance communications between police officers and persons with autism spectrum disorder. In developing the program, the division of motor vehicles shall consider best practices from implementation of similar programs in other jurisdictions. Participation in any program pursuant to this section shall be strictly voluntary.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4.5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-4.5
§ 31-27-4.5. Educational requirement.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter shall be taught in all driver training courses given within the state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-5
§ 31-15-5. Overtaking on the right.
Status: in_force

(a) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:

(1) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

(2) Upon a one-way street, or upon any roadway on which traffic is restricted to one direction of movement, where the roadway is free from obstructions and of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of moving vehicles. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

(b) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting the movement in safety. In no event shall the movement be made by driving off the pavement or main-traveled portion of the roadway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-48 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-48
§ 31-10-48. Veteran designation on operator license.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, upon presentation of a United States Department of Defense (DD) FORM 214 or other acceptable documentation of military service and verification of an honorable discharge, issue a motor vehicle operators license or commercial drivers license to the presenter that is clearly marked veteran.

(b) The presentment of an operators license marked veteran shall have the same validity in retail establishments as the presentment of a certified, government-issued military identification card as eligibility for preferential treatment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-20 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-20
§ 31-27-20. Operation of a motor vehicle  Letter carrier.
Status: in_force

Any employee of the United States Postal Service may operate his or her vehicle from the right or passenger side while performing their duties as a rural route letter carrier.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-25 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-25
§ 31-22-25. Approaching horses.
Status: in_force

Each operator of a vehicle approaching a horse on a public highway shall reduce speed, proceed with caution and stop if necessary to avoid endangering the equestrian, or frightening or striking the horse. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a civil violation and, upon conviction, shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for second or subsequent offenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-36-19 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-36 / Section 31-36-19
§ 31-36-19. Penalty for violations.
Status: in_force

Any distributor, purchaser, owner, or other person who fails or refuses to furnish any report or statement required to be made, or who fails or refuses to furnish any other data required by the tax administrator, or who files any false or fraudulent report, or who violates any provision of this chapter or chapter 37 of this title for which no other penalty is provided, shall be guilty of a felony, and shall for each offense be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or be imprisoned for not exceeding one year, or be punished by both fine and imprisonment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-25 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-25
§ 31-5-25. Hearing on suspension or revocation of license.
Status: in_force

No license shall be suspended or revoked except after a hearing. The department of revenue shall give the licensee at least five (5) days written notice of the time and place of the hearing, together with the reasons for the departments proposed action.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-34-2.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-34 / Section 31-34-2.1
§ 31-34-2.1. Self-insurers.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person or company in whose name more than four hundred (400) vehicles are registered in this state may qualify as a self-insurer by obtaining a certificate of self-insurance issued by the department of business regulation as provided in subsection (b).

(b) Upon the application of the person or company, the department of business regulation may issue a certificate of self-insurance at its discretion if it is satisfied that the person or company has and will have the ability to pay any judgment obtained against the person or company. The certificate may be issued authorizing a person or company to act as a self-insurer for either property damage or bodily injury, or both.

(c) Upon not less than five (5) days notice and a hearing pursuant to notice, the department of business regulation upon reasonable grounds may cancel a certificate of self-insurance. Failure to pay any judgment within thirty (30) days after the judgment has become final constitutes a reasonable ground for the cancellation of a certificate of self-insurance.

(d) Entities applying to or previously authorized to permissibly self-insure are subject to the jurisdiction of the department of business regulation. The department of business regulation is authorized to promulgate and enforce rules and regulations that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this section including, but not limited to:

(1) Obtaining and reviewing financial statements and related information necessary to ascertain the applicants ability to self-insure.

(2) Apportioning the cost of review to the applicant in a manner similar to that utilized to charge insurance companies for review and analysis of their financial statements.

(3) Imposing and enforcing upon entities authorized to permissibly self-insure any and all claims handling and settlement practices required of insurers in the settlement of claims.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-27.7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-27.7
§ 31-25-27.7. Weight restrictions on route 114  Warren.
Status: in_force

(a) No commercial motor truck or tractor with a gross weight exceeding four (4) tons, except those listed in this section, shall be allowed to travel on route 114 in the town of Warren.

(b) The director of the department of transportation is directed to post signs to limit access as prescribed in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) The following vehicles shall be exempt from the provisions of this section: any commercial vehicle whose destination is anywhere, either on or off the routes stated in subsection (a) of this section; any and all emergency vehicles, state vehicles, municipal vehicles, public transit vehicles, marked school administration vehicles, and vehicles participating in the annual 4th of July parade or other civic parades.

(d) Any commercial registered motor truck or tractor with a gross weight exceeding four (4) tons, shall be prohibited from traveling the routes stated in subsection (a), provided, however, commercial registered motor trucks, tractors, and equipment exceeding four (4) tons, including tractor trailer trucks, shall be allowed to travel north of Child Street (Route 103) on Main Street to get to and from Barrington. Signs will be posted by the department of transportation stating Local Deliveries Only  No Through Trucking  4 Ton Weight Limit.

(e) Violations of this section shall be a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense, not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each and every subsequent offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-68 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-68
§ 31-3-68. Police Chief Emeritus  Vincent A. Acciardo.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of the motor vehicles is authorized and directed to issue a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle of former police chief Vincent A. Acciardo of the town of Johnston. The plate shall bear the identification Police Chief Emeritus with an appropriate number and seal of the state imprinted on the plate and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for any period of time that former Chief Acciardo desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-39 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-39
§ 31-3-39. Amateur radio operator plates.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle and having a gross weight of nine thousand (9,000) pounds or less for the motor vehicle of a radio amateur, other than a novice, licensed by the federal communications commission, as long as he or she shall remain so licensed, and such registration plates as issued shall identify the registrant by the station and operator call sign assigned to him or her by the federal communications commission. This issuance of special plates shall be in accordance with the statutory requirements relating to the registration of motor vehicles and upon the payment of the regular registration fee. Application for the special plates shall be made in advance and upon the special form or forms as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall designate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-18 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-18
§ 31-5-18. Records of transactions maintained by dealers.
Status: in_force

Every licensee shall maintain a record in form as prescribed by the department of:

(1) Every vehicle of a type subject to registration which is bought, sold, or exchanged by the licensee or received or accepted by the licensee for sale or exchange.

(2) Every new or used exterior part or accessory which is bought or otherwise acquired and every motor vehicle, chassis, or motor vehicle engine which is sold or otherwise disposed of.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-6.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-16 / Section 31-16-6.1
§ 31-16-6.1. Penalties.
Status: in_force

Any person who violates the provisions of § 31-16-2 pertaining to the right-of-way of pedestrians, upon conviction, shall be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than seventy-five ($75.00).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-4
§ 31-10-4. Classification of chauffeurs  Examination of applicants.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles upon issuing a chauffeurs license shall indicate on it the class of license so issued and shall appropriately examine each applicant according to the class of license applied for and may impose any rules and regulations for the exercise of that license as it may deem necessary for the safety and welfare of the traveling public.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-29 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-29
§ 31-3-29. Licensing of tow cars and tow trucks.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require that every tow car or tow truck shall be licensed with a special registration certificate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-48-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-48 / Section 31-48-1
§ 31-48-1. Short title.
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the Motor Vehicle Chop Shop Stolen and Altered Property Act.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-14 / Section 31-14-6
§ 31-14-6. Increase by local authorities of speed limits in business and residence districts.
Status: in_force

Local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may in their discretion, but subject to § 31-14-8, authorize by ordinance or by authority granted to any organized traffic engineering department, higher prima facie speeds than those stated in § 31-14-2 upon through highways or upon highways or portions of highways where there are no intersections or between widely spaced intersections, which higher prima facie speed shall be effective at all times or during hours of daylight or at any other times that may be determined when signs are erected giving notice of the authorized speed. Local authorities shall not have authority to modify or alter the basic rule set forth in § 31-14-1 or in any event to authorize by ordinance a speed in excess of fifty miles per hour (50 mph) during the daytime or forty-five miles per hour (45 mph) during nighttime.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-11
§ 31-11-11. Return of license certificate.
Status: in_force

Upon the cancellation, suspension, or revocation of any license issued under chapter 10 of this title, the license shall be and become invalid for any purposes whatsoever and the license certificate shall be returned immediately to the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-95 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-95
§ 31-3-95. Special plate for Woonsocket high school arts and athletics.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the Woonsocket education department. The plates shall be designed to reference Villa Novan Pride.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued, and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with §31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The Villa Novan Pride motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates, and shall be designed by the Woonsocket education department in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Villa Novan Pride plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type (i.e. passenger, commercial, etc.). The Villa Novan Pride plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Woonsocket education department, and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met, and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, pre-payment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Villa Novan Pride plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows:

Twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Woonsocket high school arts and athletics program to assist in the fiscal needs required to maintain and promote arts and athletics at Woonsocket high school, and to continue in the fostering of Villa Novan Pride throughout the community. The distribution to the Woonsocket education department shall be placed in a restricted account and applied to the Woonsocket high school arts and athletic programs. The superintendent of schools shall supervise the distribution of said funds.

(h) The Woonsocket education department will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(i) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of the Villa Novan Pride plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-26 / Section 31-26-14
§ 31-26-14. Tabulation and publication of statistical information.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall tabulate and may analyze all accident reports and shall publish annually, or at more frequent intervals, statistical information based on the reports as to the number and circumstances of traffic accidents.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-53-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-53 / Section 31-53-7
§ 31-53-7. Sale or trade of motor vehicle with an inoperable airbag.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person selling or trading a motor vehicle who has actual knowledge that the motor vehicle has a nonfunctional airbag or counterfeit supplemental restraint system component installed or that an airbag is otherwise inoperable shall notify the buyer or the person acquiring the trade, in writing, of that defect.

(b) A person who violates subsection (a) of this section commits both a deceptive trade practice and a felony, and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in chapter 13.1 of title 6 for the deceptive trade practice, and also subject to the penalties set forth in § 31-53-4(c) and/or (d), as appropriate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-14
§ 31-24-14. Specifications for stop or signal lamps.
Status: in_force

A stop lamp shall be plainly visible and understandable from a distance of one hundred feet (100²) to the rear both during normal sunlight and at nighttime, and a signal lamp or lamps indicating intention to turn shall be visible and understandable during daytime and nighttime from a distance of one hundred feet (100²) both to the front and rear. When a vehicle is equipped with a stop lamp or other signal lamps, the lamp or lamps shall at all times be maintained in good working condition. No stop lamp or signal lamp shall project a glaring or dazzling light. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-4-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-4 / Section 31-4-4
§ 31-4-4. Registration by transferee.
Status: in_force

The transferee before operating or permitting the operation of an acquired vehicle upon a highway shall apply for and obtain the registration for it, as upon an original registration, except as otherwise permitted in §§ 31-4-5  31-4-7.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-7-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-7 / Section 31-7-5
§ 31-7-5. Suspension or revocation of rights of nonresidents.
Status: in_force

Whenever the division of motor vehicles shall suspend or revoke the right of any nonresident person to operate any motor vehicle, or to have operated any motor vehicle, owned by any nonresident upon the public highways of this state, it shall suspend or revoke that right for the same periods of time and upon the same grounds that it is required to suspend or revoke the license of any chauffeur or operator by §§ 31-11-6, 31-11-7, 31-11-8, and 31-11-18.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-6
§ 31-3-6. List of vehicles on which taxes delinquent  Denial of registration.
Status: in_force

(a) On or before October 31 in each year, the collector of taxes of each city or town shall furnish the division of motor vehicles, with a listing showing the registration plate numbers, names, and addresses of the taxpayers of the city or town whose personal property and/or excise tax on motor vehicles, the assessment of which were made the prior December 31 in the case of the property tax, and the tax levied in the current year in the case of the excise tax, remained unpaid as of the date of the list. Subsequently, the collector of taxes in each city or town shall, at the times and in the manner prescribed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, furnish to the division of motor vehicles the names and addresses of those persons whose names appeared on that list who have subsequently paid the personal property, and/or excise taxes on motor vehicles, and the division shall remove from the list the names and addresses of those persons. No city or town treasurer or tax collector shall refuse to accept personal property, and/or excise taxes on a motor vehicle, or refuse to remove the names and addresses of the owners of the vehicle from the list because of any other taxes owing the city or town. No person, corporation, partnership, joint stock company, or association whose name appears on the list and whose name has not been subsequently removed from the list shall be permitted to register any motor vehicle until all the excise and attendant penalties have been paid in full and the payment has been certified to the division of motor vehicles by the tax collector. The provisions of this section shall not be construed so as to prevent the payment of taxes on motor vehicles in quarterly installments as provided in chapter 5 of title 44. The provisions of this section shall apply in all respects in the case of taxes assessed upon motor vehicles by any fire district.

(b) The division of motor vehicles (the division) shall provide a written notice to those persons or other taxpayers (the person) whose name appears on the list generated in accordance with the provisions of subsection (a). This notice shall include:

(1) The name of the municipality or other entity providing the persons name to the division; and

(2) A statement that the person identified on the list shall not be permitted to register any motor vehicle until the tax matter has been resolved and the persons name is removed from the list as provided for under subsection (a).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-31-22 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-31 / Section 31-31-22
§ 31-31-22. Matters not to be evidenced in civil suits.
Status: in_force

The report required following an accident and the action taken by the division of motor vehicles upon which the action is based shall not be referred to in any way, and shall not be any evidence of the negligence or due care of either party, at the trial of any action at law to recover damages; provided, that the reports and the division action findings shall be admissible in any civil action based upon the uninsured motorist provision of an automobile insurance policy as evidence in proof of the existence of an uninsured motorist.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-49-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-49 / Section 31-49-4
§ 31-49-4. Warning label.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall design and adopt a warning label to be affixed to an ignition interlock system on installation. The warning label shall state that a person tampering with, circumventing, or otherwise misusing the ignition interlock system is guilty of a misdemeanor, and on conviction, is subject to a fine up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or one year imprisonment, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-22 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-22
§ 31-5-22. Application for license  Fee  Expiration.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person desiring to be licensed as a manufacturer, factory representative, or distributor shall apply to the department of revenue upon a form containing any information that the department shall require. The department may require with the application or, otherwise, information relating to the applicants solvency, his or her financial standing, or other pertinent matter commensurate with the safeguarding of the public interest, all of which may be considered by the department in determining the fitness of the applicant to engage in the business for which the applicant desires the license.

(b)(1) Each application of a factory representative shall be accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars ($100). Commencing January 1, 2015, the factory representative license fee for the three-year (3) license duration shall be three hundred dollars ($300) and shall be payable in installments of one hundred dollars ($100) per year.

(2) Each application of a manufacturer or distributor shall be accompanied by a fee of three hundred dollars ($300). Commencing January 1, 2015, the manufacturers or distributors license fee for the three-year (3) license duration shall be nine hundred dollars ($900) and shall be payable in installments of three hundred dollars ($300) per year.

(c)(1) All licenses shall be granted or refused within thirty (30) days after the application is filed and shall expire, unless revoked or suspended before that time, on December 31 of the calendar year for which they are granted.

(2) Commencing January 1, 2015, licenses shall be valid, unless sooner revoked or suspended, until December 31, 2017, and shall be renewable thereafter every three (3) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-48-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-48 / Section 31-48-2
§ 31-48-2. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter the following terms mean:

(1) Chop shop means any building, lot, or other premise where one or more persons are or have been knowingly engaged in altering, destroying, disassembling, dismantling, reassembling, or knowingly storing any motor vehicle, or motor vehicle part known to be illegally obtained by theft, fraud, or conspiracy to defraud, in order to either:

(i) Alter, counterfeit, deface, destroy, disguise, falsify, forge, obliterate, or remove the identity, including the vehicle identification number of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, in order to misrepresent the identity of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part, or to prevent the identification of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or

(ii) Sell or dispose of the motor vehicle or motor vehicle part.

(2) Motor vehicle includes every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be transported or drawn upon a highway, which is self propelled or which may be connected to and towed by a self propelled device, and also includes any and all other land based devices which are self propelled but which are not designed for use upon a highway, including, but not limited to, farm machinery and construction equipment.

(3) Person includes a natural person, company, corporation, unincorporated association, partnership, professional corporation, and any other legal entity.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-51 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-51
§ 31-3-51. Police Chief Emeritus  Matthew Lynch.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to issue a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle of former police chief of the city of Woonsocket, Matthew Lynch. This plate is to bear the identification Police Chief Emeritus and shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Matthew Lynch so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-16-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-16 / Section 31-16-5
§ 31-16-5. Turn signal required.
Status: in_force

No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in §§ 31-16-2 and 31-16-3, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway, unless and until the movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner described in this chapter in the event any other traffic may be affected by the movement. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-36 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-36
§ 31-24-36. Vehicles requiring special lights and reflectors  Time of lighting.
Status: in_force

Those sections of this chapter which follow immediately, including §§ 31-24-37  31-24-44, relating to clearance and marker lamps, reflectors, and stop lights, shall apply as stated in those sections to vehicles of the type enumerated in those sections, namely passenger buses, trucks, truck tractors, and certain trailers, semi-trailers, and pole trailers, respectively, when operated upon any highway. These vehicles shall be equipped as required, and all lamp equipment required shall be lighted at the times mentioned in § 31-24-1, except that clearance and side marker lamps need not be lighted on the vehicle when operated within any municipality where there is sufficient light to render clearly discernible persons and vehicles on the highway at a distance of five hundred feet (500²). Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-23 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-23
§ 31-5-23. Grounds for denial, suspension, or revocation of license.
Status: in_force

A license may be denied, suspended, or revoked on the following grounds:

(1) Proof of unfitness of the applicant.

(2) Material misstatement by the applicant in his or her application for a license.

(3) Willful failure of the applicant or licensee to comply with any provision of §§ 31-5-21  31-5-27, §§ 31-5.1-1  31-5.1-16, and/or any rule or regulation promulgated by the department in accordance with § 31-5.1-3.

(4) Because the applicant or licensee has indulged in any illegal act as determined by the department relating to his or her business.

(5) Because the applicant or licensee has coerced or attempted to coerce any motor vehicle dealer to accept delivery of any motor vehicle or vehicles, parts, or accessories for them, or any other commodities which shall not have been ordered by the dealer.

(6) Because the applicant or licensee has attempted to coerce, or has coerced, any motor vehicle dealer to enter into any agreement with the manufacturer, factory branch, distributor, or representative, as the case may be.

(7) Because the applicant or licensee has unfairly or without due regard to the equities of a motor vehicle dealer, or without just provocation, threatened to cancel the franchise of the motor vehicle dealer.

(8) Because the applicant or licensee has unfairly, or without due regard to the equities of a motor vehicle dealer, or without just provocation, cancelled the franchise of the motor vehicle dealer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-36-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-36 / Section 31-36-2
§ 31-36-2. Registration of distributors required.
Status: in_force

Every distributor shall, before continuing or commencing to transact the business of a distributor, apply for registration as a distributor at the office of the tax administrator upon a form to be obtained from the administrator and the administrator. If satisfied as to the facts stated in application, shall register the distributor and issue a certificate of the registration without charge, which registration shall entitle the distributor to continue or to commence to engage in the business within this state.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-7-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-7 / Section 31-7-9
§ 31-7-9. Offenses  Nonresident bond posting.
Status: in_force

Every nonresident operator, who is charged by a member of the state police or by a member of the police department of any city or town of this state with a violation of any provision of chapters 14, 15, and 16 of this title, except for a violation included under chapter 41 of this title, may be required to deposit in escrow the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00), or to post a proper bond for that amount, with the state or local police department preferring the charge as a prerequisite to the nonresident operator being released for appearance at a later date before the court of proper jurisdiction upon the charge. The deposit so posted shall be returned to the nonresident, or the bond so posted shall be cancelled, upon the nonresidents appearance before the court of proper jurisdiction for the disposition of the offense charged and effectuation of sentence, if any. If the nonresident shall fail to appear before the court of proper jurisdiction on the date and at the time assigned for the disposition of the offense charged, the deposit or bond, as the case may be, shall be forfeited and paid over to the clerk of court to be disbursed as if the defendant had been convicted and a fine and costs equal to that sum had been imposed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-123 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-123
§ 31-3-123. Special plate for Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for-profit corporation Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA). The plates shall be designed to reference Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, commemorating its one hundred fifty (150) years of service.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued, and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The RISPCA motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates, and shall be designed by the RISPCA in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The RISPCA plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least six hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.). The RISPCA plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the RISPCA, and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall develop pre-payment procedures, and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the RISPCA plates shall be subject to a forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows:

Twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the RISPCA to assist in the furtherance of its programs in the state of Rhode Island.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the RISPCA.

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of RISPCA plates, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sourced funds in, and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) The RISPCA will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of RISPCA plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-53 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-53
§ 31-24-53. Safety lights required on food vending vehicles.
Status: in_force

No person engaged as an itinerant vendor of food items from a motor vehicle operated, or caused to be operated by him or her, upon the public streets or highways of the state of Rhode Island, shall operate the motor vehicle or cause the motor vehicle to be operated for the purpose of vending food items upon the city streets or highways unless the motor vehicle shall have been equipped with two (2) flashing lights, one yellow located on the front bumper and one red on the rear bumper of it, except those vehicles which have flashing warning lights as standard equipment. When the motor vehicle shall have been stopped for the purpose of the intended itinerary business, they shall continue flashing as a warning of its position to all approaching vehicular traffic. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-9
§ 31-24-9. Illumination of rear registration plate  Wiring of rear lights in connection with head lamps.
Status: in_force

Either a tail lamp or a separate lamp shall be constructed and placed as to illuminate with a white light the rear registration plate and render it clearly legible from a distance of sixty feet (60²) to the rear. Any tail lamp or tail lamps, together with any separate lamp for illuminating the rear registration plate, shall be so wired as to be lighted whenever the head lamps or auxiliary driving lamps are lighted. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-12.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-14 / Section 31-14-12.1
§ 31-14-12.1. Special speed limits in highway construction and maintenance operations.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the department of transportation or local governing unit with jurisdiction over the highways determines that the preexisting established speed limit through a highway construction or maintenance operation is greater than is reasonable or safe with respect to the conditions expected to exist in that operation, it may, on highways under its respective jurisdiction, determine and declare reasonable and safe absolute maximum temporary speed limits applicable through all or part of the operation. A temporary speed limit so determined and declared shall become effective and shall suspend the applicability of any other speed limit prescribed in this chapter when appropriate signs of the design prescribed by the department giving notice of the limits are erected at or along the operation. When these signs are erected, the total of fines, penalties, and costs assessed upon conviction shall be twice the amount otherwise set by the general laws.

(b) When street, highway or bridge construction, or a maintenance operation is present, the department of transportation or local governing unit with jurisdiction over the street or highway shall erect signs declaring that the fine for a conviction of a traffic violation, as defined by § 31-41.1-4, through the temporary traffic control zone shall be doubled. When these signs are erected, the total of the fines, penalties, and costs assessed upon conviction shall be twice the amount otherwise set by the general laws. The prescribed legend for the signs shall be established by the department of transportation.

(c) For the purposes of this section, temporary traffic control zone means that portion of a bridge, street, or highway that is identified by official traffic-control devices. The zone includes the entire section of roadway between the first advance warning sign through the last traffic control device, where traffic returns to its normal path and conditions. This zone shall exist throughout the duration of the construction or maintenance operation or as long as the signs remain.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-31-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-31 / Section 31-31-1
§ 31-31-1. Administration  Rules and regulations.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall administer and enforce the provisions of chapters 31  33 of this title, may make rules and regulations necessary for their administration, and shall provide for hearings upon request of persons aggrieved by orders or acts of the division of motor vehicles under the provisions of the aforementioned chapters. The division of motor vehicles shall prescribe and provide suitable forms requisite or deemed necessary for the purposes of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-24 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-24
§ 31-23-24. Safety glass defined.
Status: in_force

Safety glass means any product composed of glass manufactured, fabricated, or treated as substantially to prevent shattering and flying of the glass when struck or broken, or any other or similar product that may be approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-11
§ 31-15-11. Laned roadways.
Status: in_force

Whenever any roadway has been divided into two (2) or more clearly marked lanes for traffic, the following rules in addition to all others consistent with them shall apply:

(1) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from the lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety.

(2) Upon a roadway which is divided into three (3) lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where the center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is sign-posted to give notice of the allocation.

(3) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or designating those lanes to be used by traffic moving in a particular direction regardless of the center of the roadway, and drivers of vehicles shall obey the directions of the sign.

(4) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-13 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-13
§ 31-22-13. Abandoned vehicles.
Status: in_force

The last registered owner, or person having custody and control as authorized by the owner, of any motor vehicle who abandons it as defined by § 31-42-1 on any public or private property other than his or her own, without the permission of the owner or lessee of the property in cases of private property, shall be liable for all costs and expenses incurred by the owner, lessee, or the state or any municipality in the removal of the vehicle from public or private property. Failure to pay the expenses within thirty (30) days of written notice shall be punished by a fine upon conviction, not in excess of two hundred dollars ($200). Upon conviction the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall be notified and shall suspend the license and registration of the last registered owner of the abandoned vehicle until these expenses are paid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-11.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-11.1
§ 31-3-11.1. Permanent registration and plates.
Status: in_force

(a) Every vehicle owned by the state of Rhode Island and any fire apparatus for which no fee is assessed shall be issued permanent registration and registration plates. The permanent registration and plates shall remain on the vehicles to which they are assigned without expiration until the vehicle is replaced or disposed of.

(b) This section does not apply to certain vehicles owned by state law enforcement agencies.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-43 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-43
§ 31-3-43. Sheriffs department plates.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue to the sheriffs departments of the various counties, for use on state owned vehicles used by the departments, a special identifying number plate in numerical sequence preceded by the words sheriffs department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-61 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-61
§ 31-3-61. Fire Chief Emeritus  Gerald Landry.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized and directed to issue a special registration plate for the private passenger motor vehicle of former fire chief of the city of Woonsocket, Gerald Landry. This plate is to bear the identification Fire Chief Emeritus along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Gerald Landry so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-20-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-20 / Section 31-20-5
§ 31-20-5. Moving of heavy equipment over railroad crossings.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall operate or move any crawler-type tractor, steam shovel, derrick, roller, or any equipment or structure having a normal operating speed of ten (10) or less miles per hour or a vertical body or load clearance of less than one-half inch per foot of the distance between any two adjacent axles, or in any event, of less than nine inches (9"), measured above the level surface of a roadway, upon or across any tracks at a railroad grade crossing, without first complying with this section.

(b) Notice of the intended crossing shall be given to a station agent of the railroad, and a reasonable time shall be given to the railroad to provide proper protection at the crossing.

(c) Before making the crossing, the person operating or moving the vehicle or equipment shall first stop the same not less than fifteen feet (15²) nor more than fifty feet (50²) from the nearest rail of the railroad and, while so stopped shall listen and look in both directions along the track for any approaching train and for signals indicating the approach of a train, and shall not proceed until the crossing can be made safely.

(d) No crossing shall be made when warning is given by automatic signal or crossing gates or a flagperson or otherwise of the immediate approach of a railroad train or car. If a flagperson is provided by the railroad, movement over the crossing shall be under the flagpersons direction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-11
§ 31-10-11. Application forms  Destruction of refused applications.
Status: in_force

Every application for an instruction permit or for an operators or chauffeurs license shall be made upon a form furnished by the division of motor vehicles. Applications of unsuccessful applicants may be destroyed after a period of thirty (30) days from the date of the failure to pass the required examination.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-54 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-54
§ 31-23-54. School buses  Fire extinguishers.
Status: in_force

Every school bus shall be equipped with at least one pressurized, dry chemical-type fire extinguisher, mounted in the manufacturers extinguisher bracket and located in the drivers compartment in full view of and readily accessible to the driver. A pressure gauge shall be so mounted on the extinguisher so that it may be easily read without removing the extinguisher from its mounted position. The fire extinguisher shall have a minimum capacity of two and one-half pounds (2 1 / 2 lbs.) and be of a type approved by the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., with a rating of not less than ten (10) B:C. The operating mechanism shall be sealed with a type of seal that will not interfere with use of the fire extinguisher.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-4
§ 31-22-4. Overloading of vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall drive a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such a number of persons, exceeding three (3), as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or as to interfere with the drivers control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

(b) No passenger in a vehicle shall ride in any position as to interfere with the drivers view ahead or to the sides, or to interfere with the drivers control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

(c) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-32 / Section 31-32-6
§ 31-32-6. Action in respect to unlicensed person.
Status: in_force

If a person has no license, but by final order or judgment is convicted of or forfeits any bail or collateral deposited to secure an appearance for trial for any offense requiring the suspension or revocation of a license, or for driving a motor vehicle upon the highways without being licensed to do so, or for driving an unregistered vehicle upon the highways, no license shall be thereafter issued to that person and no vehicle shall continue to be registered or thereafter be registered in the name of the person as owner, unless he or she shall give and maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-17.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-17.1
§ 31-3-17.1. Courtesy plates.
Status: in_force

(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 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 § 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-69 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-69
§ 31-3-69. Registration suspension based on federal determination.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to suspend the registration of a commercial motor vehicle if the commercial motor vehicle is being operated by a commercial motor carrier that has been prohibited from operating in interstate commerce by a federal agency with authority to do so under federal law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-12
§ 31-38-12. Fee for inspection certificates.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the department of revenue, or his or her designee, shall collect a fee of four dollars ($4.00) for each certificate of inspection issued, and the monies received shall be turned over to the general treasurer to be deposited in the general funds of the state.

(b) Unused inspection stickers purchased by inspection stations shall be re-purchased by the state if returned in good condition to the director of the department of revenue or his or her designee within three (3) months of the inspection year for which the sticker was issued.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-15
§ 31-1-15. Suspension, revocation, and cancellation.
Status: in_force

(a) Cancellation means the registration, drivers license, or instruction permit is annulled and terminated because of some error or defect or because the former bearer is no longer entitled to one, but the cancellation is without prejudice and a new application may be made at any time after the cancellation.

(b) Revocation means the registration, drivers license, instruction permit and privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways is terminated and shall not be renewed or restored, except that an application for a new registration, license, or the privilege to drive may be presented and acted upon in accordance with the provisions of chapters 1  27 of this title.

(c) Suspension means the registration, license, or instruction permit and privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways is withdrawn for a specified period.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-3
§ 31-15-3. Passing of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions.
Status: in_force

Drivers of vehicles proceeding in opposite directions shall pass each other to the right, and upon roadways having a width for not more than one line of traffic in each direction, each driver shall give to the other at least one-half of the main traveled portion of the roadway as nearly as possible. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-5.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-5.1
§ 31-10-5.1. School bus driver annual training.
Status: in_force

(a) The department of revenue shall promulgate any rules and regulations that it deems necessary to ensure that a ten-hour (10) training course is provided for all new school bus drivers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an applicant) and a three-hour (3) retraining course is provided to all renewal applicants on at least a yearly basis. Provided, that for an applicant who holds a valid commercial drivers license, the ten-hour (10) training course shall be abbreviated and reduced in time and shall focus on the specific Rhode Island requirements for school bus drivers.

(b) The training shall include, but not be limited to, defensive driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administrations School Bus Driver In-Service Series, and instruction in all state laws, rules, and regulations relating to school buses and school bus safety.

(c) Prior to any renewal of any certificate of a school bus driver, the division of motor vehicles shall require proof of the renewal applicants having successfully completed the annual retraining as provided in this section. Every ten (10) years that proof shall include the passing of a written examination prepared by the department of revenue, or the department of revenues designee, and conducted by employees of the department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-2
§ 31-15-2. Slow traffic to right.
Status: in_force

Upon all roadways any vehicle proceeding at less than the normal speed of traffic at the time and place and under the conditions then existing shall be driven in the right-hand lane then available for traffic, or as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction or when preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-14
§ 31-25-14. Maximum weight and tandem axles.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be unlawful to transport or operate over or upon any public highway in this state any vehicle equipped with tandem axles, should the gross weight of the axles exceed thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.) if the axle spacing does not exceed eight feet (8²).

(b) With respect to all public highways, the overall gross weight on a group of two (2) or more consecutive axles of a vehicle or combination of vehicles, shall be determined by the following bridge gross weight formula:

W = 500 [(LN /(N-1)) + 12N + 36]

where W = the overall gross weight on any group of two or more consecutive axles to the nearest five hundred pounds (500 lbs.); L = the distance in feet between the extremes of any group of two (2) or more consecutive axles; and N = the number of axles in the group under consideration. This overall gross weight of any vehicle or combination of vehicles may not exceed eighty thousand pounds (80,000 lbs.) except as specified in §§ 31-25-1, 31-25-2, and 31-25-21.

(c) In any calculation using the formula in subsection (b) of this section in which the tandem axle limit is less than thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.), thirty-six thousand pounds (36,000 lbs.) shall be considered the legal limit. Single axle limits shall be as defined in § 31-25-13. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to abrogate any of the grandfather rights in existence as of April 1, 1989.

(d) Penalties. (1) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the weight limits of tandem-axle vehicles, as defined in this section, shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) overweight or portion of it. (2) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the weight limits of twenty-two thousand four hundred pounds (22,400 lbs.) single axle limits as cited in § 31-25-13, shall be fined one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125) per one hundred pounds (100 lbs.) overweight or portion of it. (3) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle or combination of vehicles that exceeds the bridge gross weight formula, as defined in this section, are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-25-16(c)(2) through (c)(4).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-44 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-44
§ 31-24-44. Obstructed lights not required.
Status: in_force

Whenever motor and other vehicles are operated in combination during the time that lights are required, any lamp (except tail lamps) need not be lighted which, by reason of its location on a vehicle of the combination, would be obscured by another vehicle of the combination. This shall not affect the requirement that lighted clearance lamps be displayed on the front of the foremost vehicle required to have clearance lamps, nor that all lights required on the rear of the rearmost vehicle of any combination shall be lighted. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-28 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-28
§ 31-25-28. Liability for damages from oversize or overweight.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person driving any vehicle, object, or contrivance upon any highway or highway structure shall be liable for all damage which the highway or structure may sustain as a result of any illegal operation, driving, or moving of the vehicle, object, or contrivance, or as a result of operating, driving, or moving any vehicle, object, or contrivance weighing in excess of the maximum weight, or over the maximum dimensions in this chapter but authorized by a special permit issued as provided in this chapter.

(b) Whenever the driver is not the owner of a vehicle, object, or contrivance, but is so operating, driving, or moving it with the express or implied permission of the owner, then the owner and driver shall be jointly and severally liable for the damage.

(c) Damage may be recovered in a civil action brought by the authorities in control of the highway or highway structure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-29-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-29 / Section 31-29-5
§ 31-29-5. Disability parking reciprocity agreements.
Status: in_force

The reciprocity board is authorized to enter into reciprocity agreements with any state in the United States of America or the District of Columbia concerning parking privilege for individuals with disabilities.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-1
§ 31-22-1. Unattended vehicles.
Status: in_force

No person driving or in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key from the vehicle, and effectively setting the brake and, when standing upon any grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the highway. However, the provision for removing the key from the vehicle shall not require the removal of keys hidden from sight about the vehicle for convenience or emergency.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-42 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-42
§ 31-10-42. Hearing on denial, suspension, or revocation of drivers school or instructors licenses  Review.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall notify an applicant for a drivers school or instructors license of the denial of his or her application and a licensee of the proposed suspension or revocation of his or her license by mailing to the applicant or licensee, postage prepaid, a written notice stating the ground or grounds for the denial or proposed suspension or revocation and designating the place and a time not less than five (5) days later for a hearing thereon before the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, if a hearing is requested by the applicant or licensee. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles may adopt reasonable rules and regulations governing the procedure to be followed in any matter that may come before him or her for hearing, may administer oaths, subpoena and examine witnesses, compel the production of documents and other evidence, take depositions of witnesses residing without the state, and order payment of witness fees and mileage, all in the same manner as in civil actions in the superior court. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles, however, shall not be bound by technical rules of evidence.

(b) Any person aggrieved by the denial of an application or the suspension or revocation of a license may, within thirty (30) days from the date the notice is mailed to that person, file in the supreme court a petition, duly verified, for a writ of certiorari, setting forth that the decision is illegal in whole or in part and specifying the grounds of illegality. Upon presentation of that petition, the court may allow a writ of certiorari directed to the administrator of the division of motor vehicles to review the decision of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and shall prescribe in it the time within which return must be made. The allowance of the writ shall not stay proceedings upon the decision or the effect of them, but the court, upon application of the person aggrieved, may stay those proceedings or the effect of them.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-89 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-89
§ 31-3-89. Rhode Island law enforcement memorial benefit fund license plates.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates honoring law enforcement officers that have been killed in the line of duty. The plate shall be designed to reference Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund plates.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The special motor vehicle plate shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles and with the final approval from the Rhode Island state police.

(d) Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates. Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met.

(e) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, pre-payment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be as follows: twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be deposited in the division of motor vehicles manufacturing account, and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund.

(h) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund.

(i) A five dollar ($5.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Rhode Island Law Enforcement Memorial Benefit Fund.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-43 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-43
§ 31-24-43. Visibility of side marker lamps.
Status: in_force

Side marker lamps shall be capable of being seen and distinguished under normal atmospheric conditions at the times lights are required at a distance of five hundred feet (500²) from the side of the vehicle on which they are mounted. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-21 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-21
§ 31-1-21. Enforcement officers.
Status: in_force

(a) Police officer means every officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or to make arrests for violations of traffic regulations or the administrator of the division of motor vehicles and up to five (5) subordinates designated by the administrator under the provisions of § 31-2-3.

(b) Proper officer means for the purposes of chapters 1  50 of this title, any member of the state or municipal police, deputy sheriff, city or town sergeant, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, or any subordinate appointed by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles under the provisions of § 31-2-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-125 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-125
§ 31-3-125. Special plate for the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association. The plates shall be designed to reference the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of, and in the same manner as, the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least six hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.). The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association plates shall be subject to a forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: Twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association in furtherance of its mission to preserve and protect the buildings of the Beavertail Lighthouse site and to maintain and make available key aspects of Beavertails history.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association.

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association license plates, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sourced funds in, and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-5
§ 31-1-5. Trailers.
Status: in_force

(a) Automobile transporter means any vehicle combination designed and used for the transport of assembled highway vehicles, including truck camper units. An automobile transporter shall not be prohibited from the transport of cargo or general freight on a backhaul, provided it complies with weight limitations for a truck tractor and semitrailer combination.

(b) Pole trailer means every vehicle without motive power designed to be drawn by another vehicle and attached to the towing vehicle by means of a reach, or pole, or by being boomed or secured to the towing vehicle, and ordinarily used for transporting long or irregularly shaped loads such as poles, pipes, or structural members capable, generally, of sustaining themselves as beams between the supporting connections.

(c) Semi-trailer means every vehicle with or without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, constructed so that some of its weight and that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.

(d) Tractor-semi-trailer combination means every combination of a tractor and a semi-trailer properly attached to the tractor to form an articulated vehicle.

(e) Tractor-trailer combination means every combination of a tractor and a trailer, properly attached to the tractor to form an articulated vehicle.

(f) Trailer means every vehicle without motive power, other than a pole trailer, designed for carrying persons or property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle, constructed so that none of its weight rests upon the towing vehicle.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-40 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-40
§ 31-24-40. Mounting of clearance and side marker lamps.
Status: in_force

Clearance lamps shall be mounted on the permanent structure of the vehicle in such a manner as to indicate its extreme width and as near the top of the vehicle as practicable. Clearance lamps and side marker lamps may be mounted in combination, provided illumination is given as required in this section with reference to both. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-7
§ 31-11-7. Authority of division of motor vehicles to suspend license.
Status: in_force

(a)(1) The division of motor vehicles is authorized to suspend the license of an operator or chauffeur without preliminary hearing upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee:

(i) Has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to have:

(A) Committed an offense for which mandatory revocation or suspension of license is required upon conviction or adjudication;

(B) Committed with such frequency of offenses against traffic regulations governing the movement of vehicles as to indicate a disrespect for traffic laws and a disregard for the safety of other persons on the highways;

(C) Been a reckless or negligent driver of a motor vehicle;

(D) Permitted an unlawful or fraudulent use of a license;

(E) Committed an offense in another state which, if committed in this state, would be grounds for suspension or revocation;

(F) Committed any offense enumerated in §31-9-1;

(ii) Is the subject of an order issued pursuant to §14-1-67; or

(iii) Poses an imminent safety risk to the general public as determined by the application of objectively ascertainable standards.

(2) Except for paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection, the suspension shall be for any length of time, not exceeding one year, that the division of motor vehicles shall determine is necessary in order to protect public safety based upon its findings of the circumstances under which the offense was committed, the likelihood of recurrence, and the deterrent effect that might reasonably be expected to result from the hardship a suspension or prospective suspension would entail. Any license suspended pursuant to paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection shall be for the length of time set forth in the court order.

(b) Upon suspending the license of any person as authorized by subsection (a) of this section, the division of motor vehicles shall immediately notify the licensee in writing of the factual and legal basis for the suspension, the procedure for requesting a hearing, and the rights afforded the individual pursuant to subsections (d)  (f) of this section. When physical or mental fitness is the basis for the suspension determination, the notice shall reference the specific functional standard promulgated pursuant to §31-10-44(b), which was relied upon by the division of motor vehicles. Upon his or her request the division of motor vehicles shall afford the licensee an opportunity for a hearing as early as practical and no later than twenty (20) days after receipt of the request.

(c) Except as authorized in subsection (a) of this section, whenever the division of motor vehicles proposes to suspend the license of any person, the division of motor vehicles shall afford a hearing to the licensee prior to suspending the persons license. When a licensee requests a hearing, no action to suspend his or her license shall be taken until a hearing decision has been rendered in accordance with subsections (d)  (f) of this section. The division of motor vehicles shall notify the licensee in writing of the factual and legal basis for the proposed suspension, the procedure for requesting a hearing, and the rights afforded the individual pursuant to subsections (d)  (f) of this section. When physical or mental fitness is the basis for the suspension recommendation, the notice shall reference the specific functional standard promulgated pursuant to §31-10-44(b), which was relied upon by the division of motor vehicles.

(d) The division of motor vehicles shall ensure that the hearing procedures afforded pursuant to subsection (b) and (c) of this section provide for: (1) an in person hearing before an impartial decision-maker; (2) the opportunity to compel the production of documents and witnesses, including members of the division of motor vehicles s Medical Advisory Board; (3) the opportunity to confront and cross-examine witnesses; (4) access to all of the evidence upon which the division of motor vehicles relied in making its determination to suspend; and (5) the right to present any and all relevant evidence including the right to obtain and present the results of a recently administered road test. During any hearing, the division of motor vehicles shall bear the burden of proof as to the existence of the grounds for the suspension. The division of motor vehicles shall further ensure that during a hearing to determine the physical or mental fitness of a licensee, proof of the lack of physical or mental fitness shall be by clear and convincing evidence. The presumption of inability to operate a motor vehicle with safety established by the functional standards promulgated pursuant to §31-10-44(b), shall be rebuttable by evidence that notwithstanding an individuals functional limitation, he or she is able to safely operate a motor vehicle.

(e) For the purpose of the hearing procedures described in subsection (d) of this section, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or his or her duly authorized agent may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers, and may require a reexamination of the licensee.

(f) After the hearing conducted pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, the division of motor vehicles shall issue a written decision based solely on the evidence adduced at the hearing and containing the legal and factual basis for the determination. The division of motor vehicles may either rescind its order of suspension, determine suspension is not warranted; may continue, modify, or extend the suspension of the license; or may revoke the license.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-30 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-30
§ 31-1-30. Right-of-way.
Status: in_force

Right-of-way means the privilege of the immediate use of the highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-78 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-78
§ 31-3-78. Special plate for Rotary International.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available to the owners of private passenger motor vehicles who are members of Rotary Club International, District 7950, State of Rhode Island, special motor vehicle registration plates.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) Rotary Club motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Rotary Club in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles.

(d) Rotary Club plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least three hundred and sixty (360) plates. Rotary Club plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, pre-payment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, Rotary Club plates shall be subject to a one-time fifty dollar ($50.00) issuance surcharge.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-86 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-86
§ 31-3-86. Special plate for Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the not-for profit Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. The plates shall be designed to reference Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued, and shall be used in place of and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with §31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates, and shall be designed by the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type (i.e. passenger, commercial, etc.). The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc., and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met, and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, pre-payment procedures, and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. plates shall be subject to a forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows:

Twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. to assist in the fiscal needs required to maintain and protect this historic site for all to enjoy, and to continue in the fostering of the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouses, Inc. presence as an asset to Rhode Islands economic growth and prosperity. The distribution to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. shall be placed in a restricted account and shall be paid to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc.

(h) An additional ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall apply to holders of the plate. All proceeds shall be distributed annually to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc., to assist in the fiscal needs required to maintain and protect the iconic Plum Beach Lighthouse. The distribution to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc., shall be placed in a restricted account and shall be paid to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc.

(i) The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(j) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse, Inc. plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-42-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-42 / Section 31-42-5
§ 31-42-5. Garage keepers and abandoned motor vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) Any motor vehicle left for more than ten (10) days in a garage operated for commercial purposes after notice by registered mail, return receipt requested to the owner to pick up the vehicle, or for more than ten (10) days after the period when, pursuant to contract, the vehicle was to remain on the premises, and any motor vehicle left for more than ten (10) days in the garage by someone other than the registered owner or left by a person authorized to have possession of the motor vehicle, shall be deemed an abandoned vehicle and shall be reported by the garage keeper to the police department. Any garage keeper who fails to report the possession of the vehicle within ten (10) days after it becomes abandoned within the meaning of this section shall no longer have any claim for storage of the vehicle.

(b) All abandoned vehicles left in garages may be taken into custody by the police department and sold in accordance with the procedures set forth in this chapter unless the motor vehicle is reclaimed and the garage keeper is paid. The proceeds of the sale shall be first applied to the garage keepers charges for storage and any surplus proceeds shall be distributed in accordance with § 31-42-4. Except for the termination of a claim for storage for failure to report an abandoned motor vehicle, nothing in this section shall be construed to impair any lien of a garage keeper under the laws of this state, or the right of a lienholder to foreclose.

(c) For the purposes of this section, garage keeper means any operator of a parking place establishment or motor vehicle storage facility.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-37 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-37
§ 31-3-37. Assignment of new identifying numbers.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to assign a distinguishing number to a motor vehicle whenever the motor or serial number thereon is destroyed or obliterated and to issue to the owner a special plate bearing such distinguishing number which shall be affixed to the vehicle in a position to be determined by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. The motor vehicle shall be registered under this distinguishing number in lieu of the former serial number.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-15
§ 31-10-15. Liability of person signing minors application.
Status: in_force

Any negligence or willful misconduct of a minor under the age of eighteen (18) years when driving a motor vehicle upon a highway shall be imputed to the person who has signed the application of that minor for a permit or license, which person shall be jointly and severally liable with the minor for any damages caused by the minors negligence or willful misconduct except as otherwise provided in § 31-10-16.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-26 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-26
§ 31-22-26. Noise in vicinity of horse.
Status: in_force

No operator of a vehicle in the vicinity of an equestrian and horse may blow a horn, or cause loud or unusual noises, in a manner to startle or frighten the horse. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a civil violation and upon conviction shall be fined not more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the first offense nor more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for second or subsequent offenses.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-17-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-17 / Section 31-17-6
§ 31-17-6. Yielding to emergency vehicle.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon the immediate approach of an authorized emergency vehicle equipped with at least one lighted lamp exhibiting any one or combination of red, blue, or white light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet (500²) to the front of the vehicle, and producing an audible signal by siren, exhaust whistle, or bell, the driver of every other vehicle shall yield the right-of-way and shall immediately drive to a position parallel to, and as close as possible to, the right-hand edge or curb of the roadway clear of any intersection and shall stop and remain in that position until the authorized emergency vehicle has passed, except when otherwise directed by a police officer.

(b) This section shall not operate to relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons using the highway.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-37-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-37 / Section 31-37-6
§ 31-37-6. Method of testing for quality of fuels.
Status: in_force

All tests to determine the quality of gasoline shall be made by the materials section of the public works division in accordance with methods contained in American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Specifications for Automotive Gasoline D-439-78.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-53-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-53 / Section 31-53-4
§ 31-53-4. Installation or reinstallation of any false airbag  Deceptive trade practices  Criminal liability.
Status: in_force

(a) It is a deceptive trade practice, in violation of chapter 13.1 of title 6, Deceptive Trade Practices, whenever:

(1) A person installs or reinstalls, as part of a vehicle inflatable occupant restraint system, any object in lieu of an airbag, including a nonfunctional airbag, counterfeit supplemental restraint system component, or any light manipulating system;

(2) A person imports, manufactures, sells, or offers for sale any device with the intent that the device will replace an airbag in any motor vehicle if the person knows, or reasonably should know, that the device supplemental restraint system component or otherwise does not meet federal safety requirements;

(3) A person sells, or offers for sale, any device that, when installed in any motor vehicle, gives the impression that a viable airbag is installed in that vehicle, including any light manipulating system; or

(4) Any person intentionally misrepresents the presence of an airbag when one does not exist.

(b) Failure to comply with the provisions of this chapter shall constitute an unfair method of competition and an unfair or deceptive act or practice under chapter 13.1 of title 6, entitled Deceptive Trade Practices, and the penalties and remedies provided in that chapter shall apply against any individual, corporation, or partnership violating any provision of this chapter.

(c) Any person who violates this section is also guilty of a felony and, upon conviction thereof, shall be punished by a fine of not less than one thousand dollars ($1,000) and not more than two thousand dollars ($2,000) per violation, or imprisonment for a period of not more than two (2) years per violation, or both.

(d) A person whose violation of subsection (a) of this section results in serious bodily injury or death shall be imprisoned for a period of not more than ten (10) years or fined not more than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), or both, per violation.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-31-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-31 / Section 31-31-3
§ 31-31-3. Abstracts of operating records.
Status: in_force

The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall upon request furnish any insurance carrier or any person or surety a certified abstract of the operating record of any person subject to the provisions of chapters 31  33 of this title. This abstract shall fully designate the motor vehicles, if any, registered in the name of the person, shall include enumeration of any motor vehicle accidents in which the person has been involved and reference to any convictions of the persons for violation of the motor vehicle laws as reported to the division of motor vehicles, and if there is no record of any conviction of the person of a violation of any provision of any statute relating to the operation of a motor vehicle or of any injury or damage caused by the person as provided in this chapter, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall so certify. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall collect for each certification the sum of ten dollars ($10.00). The requirements of this section that the certificate be furnished shall not make the certificate admissible as evidence in any legal proceeding.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-16
§ 31-10-16. Liability when minor proves financial responsibility.
Status: in_force

In the event a minor deposits or there is deposited upon the minors behalf proof of financial responsibility in respect to the operation of a motor vehicle owned by the minor, or if not the owner of a motor vehicle, then with respect to the operation of any motor vehicle, in form and in amounts as required under the motor vehicle financial responsibility laws of this state, then the division of motor vehicles may accept the application of the minor when signed by a parent or guardian of the minor or other responsible adult, and while that proof is maintained the parent or guardian or responsible adult shall not be subject to the liability imposed under § 31-10-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-10
§ 31-1-10. Types of tires.
Status: in_force

(a) Metal tire means every tire having a surface made wholly or partly of metal, or other hard, non-resilient material, in contact with the highway.

(b) Pneumatic tire means every tire in which compressed air is designed to support the load.

(c) Solid rubber tire means every solid tire constructed of rubber or other nonmetallic substances, except pneumatic tires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-15
§ 31-5-15. Examination of records  Altered or reset odometers.
Status: in_force

(a) The department or its duly authorized representative may inspect the pertinent books, records, letters, and contracts of the licensee relating to any written complaint made against the licensee. If the licensee is found guilty of violating any of the provisions of §§ 31-5-1  31-5-20, or any lawful order of the department, the actual cost of each of the examinations shall be paid by the licensee within thirty (30) days after demand for them by the department, and the department may maintain an action for the recovery of the cost in any court of competent jurisdiction.

(b) The department finds that purchasers, when buying motor vehicles, rely heavily on the odometer reading as an index of the condition and value of the vehicle; that purchasers are entitled to rely on the odometer reading as an accurate reflection of the mileage actually traveled by the vehicle; and that an accurate indication of the mileage traveled by a motor vehicle assists the purchaser in determining its safety and reliability. For the protection of purchasers with respect to the sale of motor vehicles having altered or reset odometers, licensed motor vehicle dealers are directly responsible to their retail/wholesale customers to repurchase the motor vehicles bearing altered or reset odometers for the original selling price paid by the customer, or an amount as determined by the department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-5
§ 31-27-5. Motor carriers  Maximum driving and on-duty time.
Status: in_force

(a) Maximum driving time. Except for intrastate carrier tows and recovering operations provided at the request of a law enforcement agency for public safety purposes, no motor carrier shall permit or require any driver used by it to drive nor shall any driver exceed the hours for service for drivers as provided in 49 CFR Part 395, as may be amended from time to time.

(b) Drivers may be declared out of service for violations of this section or 49 CFR Part 395 as may be amended from time to time.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-21-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-21 / Section 31-21-4
§ 31-21-4. Places where parking or stopping prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall stop, stand, or park a vehicle, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in compliance with law or the directions of a police officer or traffic control device, in any of the following places:

(1) On a sidewalk;

(2) In front of a public or private driveway;

(3) Within an intersection;

(4) Within eight feet (8²) of a fire hydrant;

(5) On a crosswalk;

(6) Within twenty feet (20²) of a crosswalk at an intersection;

(7) Within thirty feet (30²) upon the approach to any flashing beacon, stop sign, or traffic control signal located at the side of a roadway;

(8) Between a safety zone and the adjacent curb, or within thirty feet (30²) of points on the curb immediately opposite the ends of a safety zone, unless the traffic authority indicates a different length by signs or markings;

(9) Within fifty feet (50²) of the nearest rail of a railroad crossing;

(10) Within twenty feet (20²) of the driveway entrance to any fire station, and on the side of a street opposite the entrance to any fire station within seventy-five feet (75²) of the entrance (when properly sign-posted);

(11) Alongside or opposite any street excavation or obstruction when stopping, standing, or parking would obstruct traffic;

(12) On the roadway side of any vehicle stopped or parked at the edge or curb of a street;

(13) Upon any bridge or other elevated structure upon a highway or within a highway tunnel;

(14) At any place where official signs prohibit stopping;

(15) At any curb cut or ramp for persons with disabilities;

(16) On any bicycle lane, trail, or path; or

(17) Upon any crosshatched access aisle adjacent to disability parking spaces.

(b) The following vehicles are exempt from the prohibitions contained in subsection (a):

(1) School buses or worker transport buses that are loading or unloading children or workers, provided that the school bus or worker transport bus operates its flashing bus-safety lights;

(2) Subject to the provisions of § 31-21-6, vehicles that are momentarily stopped, standing, or parked to admit or discharge passengers;

(3) Taxicabs that are momentarily stopped, standing or parked to admit or discharge passengers;

(4) Vehicles that are momentarily stopped, standing, or parked for the purpose of, and while actually engaged in, loading or unloading property;

(5) Vehicles that are owned or operated by the state or a city or town when the vehicle must stop, stand, or park to perform maintenance or repair work on an area where stopping, standing or parking is prohibited under the provisions of subsection (a);

(6) Vehicles that are disabled in such a manner, and to such extent, that the vehicle operator cannot avoid stopping or temporarily leaving the disabled vehicle in an area where stopping, standing, or parking is prohibited under the provisions of subsection (a);

(7) Vehicles that are momentarily stopped to allow oncoming traffic to pass before making a right or left-hand turn, or in preparation for or while negotiating an exit from the road.

(c) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-6-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-6 / Section 31-6-2
§ 31-6-2. Computation of gross weight.
Status: in_force

For the purpose of computing fees based on gross weight, the gross weight shall, in the case of motor trucks, tractors, trailers, or semi-trailers, be the weight of the vehicle in pounds plus the weight of the maximum load to be carried. In the case of passenger motor vehicles, the gross weight shall be the weight of the vehicle plus the sum of the adult seating capacity multiplied by one hundred fifty pounds (150 lbs.).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-28 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-28
§ 31-22-28. Transporting animals.
Status: in_force

(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to transport any animal or animals either for business or pleasure on or in an open air motor vehicle unless the animal or animals being transported:

(1) Is kept in an enclosed area of the motor vehicle;

(2) The animal or animals are under the physical control of a person other than the operator of the motor vehicle; or

(3) The animal or animals are placed in the motor vehicle and safely restrained by a harness manufactured for the purpose of restraining animals by means other than neck restraints.

(b) Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be punished by a fine of not more than fifty dollars ($50.00) for a first offense, nor more than two hundred dollars ($200) for each subsequent offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-48 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-48
§ 31-23-48. Police cars  Extinguishers.
Status: in_force

Every state and municipal police vehicle in this state shall carry a fire extinguisher at all times.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-8
§ 31-38-8. Improper representation as official station.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall in any manner represent any place as an official inspection station unless the station is operating under a valid permit issued by the director of the department of revenue or the directors designee.

(b) No person other than a state certified employee of an inspection station shall issue a certificate of inspection and approval.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-49-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-49 / Section 31-49-1
§ 31-49-1. Definitions.
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter, ignition interlock system means a device that:

(1) Connects a motor vehicle ignition system to a breath analyzer that measures a drivers blood alcohol level; and

(2) Prevents a motor vehicle ignition from starting if a drivers blood alcohol level exceeds the calibrated setting on the device.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-51-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-51 / Section 31-51-7
§ 31-51-7. Nature of violations.
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law:

(a) No violation for which a civil fine is imposed under this chapter shall be considered a moving violation, nor shall be included on the driving record of the person on whom the liability is imposed, nor shall it be used for insurance rating purposes in providing motor vehicle insurance coverage.

(b) Impositions of a penalty pursuant to this chapter shall not be deemed a criminal conviction of an owner or operator;

(c) The good driving record provision of § 31-41.1-7 shall not be used to dismiss an action brought pursuant to this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-23 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-23
§ 31-10-23. Examiners not liable for acts of persons being examined.
Status: in_force

The investigators or examiners in the employ of the division of motor vehicles shall not be liable for the acts of any person who is being examined by the investigators or examiners.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-62 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-62
§ 31-3-62. National Guard plates.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered and authorized to make available to all active and retired members of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less. Upon the death of the holder of National Guard plates, the plates may be transferred to the surviving spouse of the member of the National Guard for the spouses lifetime or until the spouse remarries.

(b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation National Guard and shall also carry on it an emblem on the left-hand side of the plate to be designed and provided by the office of the adjutant general, with the numerals to the right of it.

(c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the plate upon the payment of a service charge of twenty dollars ($20.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate. All revenues shall be deposited as general revenues.

(d) For the purposes of this section an active or retired member of the Rhode Island Army and Air National Guard shall be defined as any person certified by the adjutant general as currently serving or having retired under honorable conditions in either the Rhode Island Army or Air National Guard.

(e) In a state of emergency, any active member of the Army or Air National Guard driving a vehicle bearing the special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and empowered to travel upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by any state or municipal authority.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-106 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-106
§ 31-3-106. Special plate for the Dorian J. Murray foundation.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the Dorian J. Murray Foundation. The plates shall be designed to reference the Dorian J. Murray Foundation.

(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued and shall be used in place of, and in the same manner as, the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and returned to the division of motor vehicles. The registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.

(c) The Dorian J. Murray Foundation motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Dorian J. Murray Foundation, in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Dorian J. Murray Foundation plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type (i.e. passenger, commercial, etc.) The Dorian J. Murray Foundation plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Dorian J. Murray Foundation and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order(s) have been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop prepayment procedures and any other procedures deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

(f) In addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, the Dorian J. Murray Foundation plates shall be subject to a forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty-dollar ($40.00) issuance surcharge shall be allocated as follows: Twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be allocated to the general fund and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually to the Dorian J. Murray Foundation in furtherance of its mission to assist charitable organizations in Rhode Island that demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing the quality of life for children with pediatric cancer.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Dorian J. Murray Foundation.

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Dorian J. Murray Foundation license plates, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sourced funds in, and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) The Dorian J. Murray Foundation will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Dorian J. Murray Foundation plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-10
§ 31-19-10. Lamps and other equipment on bicycles.
Status: in_force

(a) Front lamp. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least five hundred feet (500²) to the front.

(b) Rear reflector. Every bicycle shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the division of motor vehicles which shall be visible for six hundred feet (600²) to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of five hundred feet (500²) to the rear may be used in addition to the red reflector.

(c) Pedal reflectors. No person shall sell a new bicycle or a pedal for use on a bicycle that is not equipped with a reflector of a type approved by the department, on each pedal of the bicycle which is visible from the front and rear of the bicycle during darkness from a distance of two hundred feet (200²) nor shall any person operate a bicycle without reflective pedals.

(d) Sirens or whistles. A bicycle shall not be equipped with, nor shall any person use a bicycle equipped with, a siren or whistle.

(e) Brakes. No person shall sell a bicycle, new or used, that is not equipped, and every bicycle, excluding bicycles that are especially designed and made for off-road use, shall be equipped with a brake or brakes which will enable the operator to stop the bicycle within twenty-five feet (25²) at a speed of ten (10) mph on dry, level, clean pavement.

(f) Side reflectors. Every bicycle when in use at nighttime shall be equipped with a minimum of twenty (20) square inches on each side of the bicycle of white reflective material on the wheels or tires to indicate as nearly as possible the continuous circular shape and size of the wheels or tires of each bicycle. All reflective materials used in compliance with this statute shall be visible during the hours of darkness from five hundred feet (500²) when viewed under lawful low beam headlamps under normal atmospheric conditions on a straight, level, unlighted roadway, and shall meet the requirements as prescribed by the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-3.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-3.1
§ 31-1-3.1. Autocycles.
Status: in_force

(a) Autocycle means only those motor vehicles that:

(1) Do not have more than three (3) wheels in contact with the ground;

(2) Are designed to be controlled with a steering wheel and foot pedals for acceleration, braking, or shifting;

(3) Are equipped with seating that does not require occupants to straddle or sit astride the seating; and

(4) Are manufactured and certified to comply with federal safety requirements for a motorcycle.

(b) Except as otherwise provided in this title, an autocycle shall be considered to be a motorcycle as defined in § 31-1-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-52 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-52
§ 31-3-52. Certificate of prior use.
Status: in_force

Upon the sale or transfer of title by a dealer of any used motor vehicle, the dealer shall execute and deliver to the buyer an instrument in writing in a form prescribed by the Rhode Island automobile dealers licensing commission which shall set forth the nature of the principal prior use of the vehicle when dealers know or have reason to know that the use of vehicle was a taxicab, police vehicle, driver education vehicle, rental vehicle, or vehicle which has been repurchased pursuant to chapter 5.2 or chapter 5.4 of this title, a similar statute of another state, or an arbitration or alternative dispute procedure.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-18 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-18
§ 31-3-18. Display of plates  Penalties.
Status: in_force

(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 § 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 § 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) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-12
§ 31-19-12. Bicycles on sidewalks and crosswalks  Rights and duties.
Status: in_force

A person propelling a vehicle by human power or operating an electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances; provided, however, that a person riding an electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) on a sidewalk or a bicycle path or trail shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians or give an audible signal before overtaking any passing pedestrian. Pedestrians using an EPAMD shall exercise a high degree of care when passing a pedestrian using a wheelchair, walker or other mobility aid and only pass when the width of the sidewalk exceeds five (5) feet. For purposes of this section electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMD) and electric motorized bicycles shall be prohibited from sidewalks and crosswalks in the town of New Shoreham.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-1.5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-1.5
§ 31-44-1.5. Mobile and manufactured home advisory information.
Status: in_force

The department may publish and promote mobile and manufactured home advisory information based on this chapter and other issues as set forth in § 31-44-1.4. The information shall consist of:

(1) A general interpretation of the rights and responsibilities of mobile and manufactured home park licensees and mobile home owners and residents as established by this chapter; and

(2) Local state and federal standards to protect the health, safety, and welfare of mobile and manufactured home park residents.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-27.9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-27.9
§ 31-25-27.9. Weight restrictions on Smith Avenue in Smithfield.
Status: in_force

(a) No tractor or truck tractor, as defined in 23 C.F.R. 658.5, pulling a trailer or trailers, shall be allowed to travel on that portion of Route 116 between Route 44 and West Greenville Road known as Smith Avenue in the town of Smithfield.

(b) The director of the department of transportation is directed to post signs to limit access as prescribed in subsection (a).

(c) Violations of this section shall be punishable by a fine of fifty dollars ($50.00) for the first offense, and not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) for each and every subsequent offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-6-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-6 / Section 31-6-10
§ 31-6-10. Police vehicles  Fire apparatus  Trackless trolleys.
Status: in_force

The following vehicles shall be exempt from registration:

(1) Motor-propelled fire engines and other fire apparatus. However, the division of motor vehicles shall issue a permanent registration plate and certificate for each motor-propelled fire engine or fire apparatus for its life at no fee;

(2) Every motor vehicle which is propelled by electric power obtained from overhead trolley wires but not operated upon rails.

(3) Motor-propelled vehicles employed for law enforcement purposes by the several city and town police departments whether or not equipped with distinctive registration plates. A permanent registration plate and certificate shall, however, be issued for each motor-propelled police vehicle, for its life, at no fee. However, any existing police vehicle plate currently on a propelled police vehicle will pay a five dollar ($5.00) transfer fee if that plate is transferred to another police vehicle within the same police department.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-4
§ 31-19-4. Excessive number of persons on bicycle.
Status: in_force

No bicycle shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped, except when transporting a child six (6) years of age or younger in a rear-mounted bicycle carrier and/or trailer that meets mandatory and various industry standard specifications as developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-37-20 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-37 / Section 31-37-20
§ 31-37-20. Severability.
Status: in_force

If any part of this chapter or chapter 36 of this title shall be declared unconstitutional or invalid, the unconstitutionality or invalidity shall in no way affect the validity of any other portion of it which can be given reasonable effect without the part so declared unconstitutional or invalid.