R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-40-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-40 / Section 31-40-1
§ 31-40-1. Declaration of policy.
Status: in_force

It is declared to be the policy of Rhode Island:

(1) To provide maximum safety for all persons who travel or otherwise use the public highways of the state;

(2) To deny the privilege of operating motor vehicles on the highways to persons who, by their conduct and record have demonstrated their indifference for the safety and welfare of others and their disrespect for the laws of the state of Rhode Island, the orders of its courts, and the statutorily required acts of its administrative agencies; and

(3) To discourage the repetition of criminal acts by individuals against the peace and dignity of the state of Rhode Island and its political subdivisions, and to impose increased and added deprivation of the privilege to operate motor vehicles upon habitual offenders who have been convicted repeatedly of violations of traffic laws.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-2-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-2 / Section 31-2-14
§ 31-2-14. Investigation of applications  Rejection.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall examine and determine the genuineness, regularity, and legality of every application for registration of a vehicle, and for an operators or chauffeurs license and of any other application lawfully made to the division of motor vehicles, and may in all cases make investigation as may be deemed necessary or require additional information, and shall reject any application if not satisfied of the genuineness, regularity, or legality of the application or the truth of any statement contained in it, or for any other reason, when authorized by law.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-26 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-26
§ 31-10-26. Issuance of license.
Status: in_force

(a) The division of motor vehicles shall, upon payment of the required fee, issue to every qualifying applicant an operators or chauffeurs license. The license shall be approximately two and one-half inches (2Â½³) wide and three and one-half inches (3Â½³) long and shall bear on it a distinguishing number assigned to the licensee; the full name; date of birth; residence address; brief description of the licensee; a photograph of the licensee; whether the licensee has indicated a desire to donate tissue or organs pursuant to the provisions of chapter 18.6.1 of title 23; and either a space upon which the licensee shall write his or her usual signature with pen and ink or a facsimile of the signature of the licensee. No license shall be valid until it has been so signed by the licensee designated on it. A negative file of all photographs of licensees shall be maintained by the division of motor vehicles for a period of five (5) years.

(b) The division of motor vehicles shall issue an operators or chauffeurs license pursuant to this chapter to every qualifying applicant, including, but not limited to, any current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, provided any applicant subject to the DACA program shall provide evidence of having received the grant from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.

(c) The division of motor vehicles shall issue special licenses to those licensees who have indicated that they desire to donate tissue or organs, which conform to the provisions of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23.

(d) Any person who is a law enforcement officer, meaning any permanently employed member of the state, city, or town police departments, sheriffs and deputy sheriffs, members of the marshals unit, capitol police, and the state fire marshal and deputy fire marshals of the division of building, design and fire professionals or a member of the department of attorney general, any permanently employed federal law enforcement officer assigned in Rhode Island, or any member of the United States Attorneys Office in Rhode Island or any employee of the R.I. department of corrections, as recommended by the director of the department of corrections, and members of the Rhode Island judiciary or any employee of the Rhode Island judiciary as recommended by the chief justice, upon request of the applicant, shall be issued a license that contains the applicants official business address in lieu of a residence address as required under the general provisions of this section.

(e) The license issued to a person applying for the first time shall be designated as a first license. A first license shall be issued for a one-year period after which time a permanent drivers license shall be issued according to this section.

(f) If an applicant has been adjudicated for committing one moving motor vehicle violation, has been involved in one reportable motor vehicle accident, or both, he or she shall be summoned for a hearing before a judge of the traffic tribunal at which time the driving record will be reviewed. The traffic tribunal judge shall determine if the person should be granted an operators license, be reissued a first license, or be denied a license to operate a motor vehicle in the state of Rhode Island.

(g) Any person who is under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall, upon payment of the required fee and upon meeting the qualifications for the receipt of an operators or chauffeurs license, be issued a license that shall be readily distinguishable in color from those licenses issued to persons who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older. When a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years to whom a license has been issued and whose license is in full force and effect, attains his or her twenty-first birthday, he or she shall be entitled to receive a new license of the type issued to persons who are older than the age of twenty-one (21) years from the administrator of the division of motor vehicles upon demand at no expense. Every person shall supply to the division of motor vehicles satisfactory proof of his or her date of birth.

(h) The division of motor vehicles shall issue special licenses upon the request of a licensee that conform to the provisions of the Revised Uniform Anatomical Gift Act, chapter 18.6.1 of title 23.

(i) The division of motor vehicles shall note in an appropriate manner a restriction on any persons license who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in chapter 27 of this title.

(j) Any personal digitized information contained within an operators or chauffeurs license shall be limited to: (a) the licensees name, age, date of birth, address, gender, physical description such as weight, height, hair color and eye color, signature and organ donor status; and (b) the license number, commercial endorsements, expiration date, issue date, restriction, and class.

(k) Except to the extent an entity is authorized to renew drivers licenses, or except for financial institutions engaged in the verification of information for financial transactions, nongovernmental entities shall not have access to any digitized information contained in an operators or chauffeurs license other than the licensees name, age, date of birth, signature, and photographic image, and the licenses expiration date; nor shall they store, record, or retain any such information obtained through a digital reading device. Access to digitized information by these entities shall be solely for the purpose of determining the age of an individual for a transaction, right, or privilege available by law only to persons of a certain age.

(l) To the extent that nongovernmental entities shall have access to the digitized information stored on an operators or chauffeurs license, the entity shall be civilly liable for the unauthorized access to, or retention or use of, the information by its agents or persons acting in the name of the entity.

(m) The division of motor vehicles shall collect from applicants and licensees their social security numbers and tax identification numbers only to the extent required by federal law. The numbers shall not be included, either digitally or visually, on the operators or chauffeurs license.

(n) Issuance of a Rhode Island operators license under this chapter to a current or past recipient of a grant of deferred action under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program shall not confer the right to vote in the state of Rhode Island.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-20 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-20
§ 31-24-20. Back up lamps.
Status: in_force

Any motor vehicle may be equipped without not more than two (2) back-up lamps either separately or in combination with other lamps, but no back-up lamp shall be lighted when the motor vehicle is in forward motion. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-122 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-122
§ 31-3-122. Special plate for Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.
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 Pomham Rocks Lighthouse. The plates shall be designed to reference Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.

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

(d) Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse plates shall be subject to a minimum prepaid order of at least six hundred (600) sets of plates per plate type (i.e., passenger, commercial, etc.). Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse 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, Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse 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 Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse in furtherance of its mission to assist charitable organizations in Rhode Island with fiscal needs to assist with historic renovation, preservation, and to improve public awareness and access to the Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse.

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

(j) Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Friends of Pomham Rocks Lighthouse motor vehicle license plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-44 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-44
§ 31-23-44. Approved type of wheel safety chocks  Enforcement of requirements.
Status: in_force

All wheel safety chock blocks described in § 31-23-43 must be a type approved by the division of motor vehicles, and the division of motor vehicles shall establish specifications and requirements for approved types of wheel safety chock blocks. The specifications and requirements shall, in general, follow the standards established by the department of revenue. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall suspend the registration of any motor vehicle described in § 31-23-43 not equipped with wheel safety chock blocks, until it is made to conform to the requirements of the section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-9
§ 31-11-9. Reexamination of licensees.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles, having good cause to believe that a licensed operator or chauffeur is incompetent or otherwise not qualified to be licensed, may upon written notice of at least five (5) days to the licensee require him or her to submit to an examination. Upon the conclusion of the examination the division of motor vehicles shall take action as may be appropriate and may suspend or revoke the license of the person or permit him or her to retain the license, or may issue a license subject to restrictions as permitted under § 31-10-28. Refusal or neglect of the licensee to submit to the examination shall be grounds for suspension or revocation of his or her license.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-41 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-41
§ 31-10-41. Denial, suspension, or revocation of instructors license.
Status: in_force

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

(1) Any reason set forth in subdivisions (1)  (9) of § 31-10-38.

(2) The applicants driving record shows that he or she is not a careful driver.

(3) The applicant has not attained the age of twenty-one (21) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-3
§ 31-25-3. Maximum width.
Status: in_force

(a) The total outside width of any vehicle or the load on it shall not exceed one hundred two inches (102³) excluding any safety and noncargo carrying appurtenances on either motorized campers or camping recreational vehicles.

(b) Any carrier or persons operating a vehicle that exceeds the maximum width, as permitted or as defined in this section, shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100) per inch over width or portion of it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-17
§ 31-22-17. Notice of sale.
Status: in_force

Thirty (30) days before any sale pursuant to §31-22-16 is held, notice in writing shall be given to the registered owner of the motor vehicle to be sold, if known to the wrecker, and to the holder of any security interest recorded with the secretary of state, of the amount owed for the storage and towing, and the time and place of sale. The notice shall be mailed, registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, to the address of the registered owner on file at the division of motor vehicles, or the last known address of the owner.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-110 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-110
§ 31-3-110. Special plate for the Lupus Foundation New England.
Status: in_force

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

(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 plates.

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

(d) The Lupus Foundation New England plates shall be subject to a minimum prepaid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type (i.e. passenger, commercial, etc.). The Lupus Foundation New England plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Lupus Foundation New England 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 Lupus Foundation New England 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 Lupus Foundation New England in furtherance of its mission to assist charitable organizations in Rhode Island.

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

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Lupus Foundation New England license plates, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sources funds in, and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) Lupus Foundation New England will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Lupus Foundation New England plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-1
§ 31-15-1. Right half of road.
Status: in_force

Upon all roadways of sufficient width a vehicle shall be driven upon the right half of the roadway, except as follows:

(1) When overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction under the rules governing the movement;

(2) When the right half of a roadway is closed to traffic while under construction or repair;

(3) Upon a roadway divided into three (3) marked lanes for traffic under the rules applicable to it; or

(4) Upon a roadway designated and signposted for one-way traffic.

(5) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-16
§ 31-25-16. Authorized weight shown in registration  Exceeding limit.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall insert in the registration card issued for a vehicle the gross weight for which it is registered. If it is a truck tractor to be used for propelling semi-trailers, the administrator shall separately insert the total permissible gross weight of the truck tractor and semi-trailers to be propelled by it. It shall be unlawful for any carrier to operate or permit to be operated any vehicle or combination of vehicles of a gross weight in excess of that registered by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, permitted by the department of transportation, or in excess of the limitations set forth in this chapter.

(b) For the purposes of this chapter, carrier means and includes any company or person who furthers their commercial or private enterprise by use of the vehicle.

(c)(1) Penalties for violations of this section will be calculated on the legal weight in comparison to the actual weight and shall be heard and adjudicated at the traffic tribunal.

(2) The overweight penalties for vehicles with ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight or less shall be one hundred dollars ($100) per thousand pounds overweight or portion of it.

(3) The overweight penalties for vehicles exceeding ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one hundred twenty-five dollars ($125.00) per five hundred pounds (500 lbs.) overweight or portion of it.

(4) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred four thousand, eight hundred pounds (104,800 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be one thousand twenty-five dollars ($1,025) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (c)(3) of this section.

(5) The overweight penalty for vehicles being operated in excess of one hundred thirty thousand pounds (130,000 lbs.) gross vehicle weight shall be two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500) in addition to the penalties enumerated in subsection (c)(3) of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-2
§ 31-38-2. Inspection by any proper officer.
Status: in_force

(a) The director of the department of revenue, members of the state and local police, and any other officers and employees of the division of motor vehicles as the director of the department of revenue may designate, may at any time require the seller at retail or driver of the vehicle to stop and submit the vehicle to an inspection and test with reference to it as may be appropriate.

(b) In the event the vehicle is found to be in unsafe condition or any required part or equipment is not in proper repair and adjustment, the officer shall give a written notice to the seller at retail or driver and shall send a copy to the director of the department of revenue. The notice shall require that the vehicle be placed in safe condition and its equipment in proper repair and adjustment, specifying the particulars with reference to it, and that the notice be approved within five (5) days.

(c) The director of the department of revenue, or the directors designee, upon written notice, may require the seller at retail, owner, or driver to submit the vehicle to the state inspection facility for inspection. If the notice is not complied with, the director may suspend the registration of the vehicle described in the notice.

(d) If three (3) notices are issued in a twelve (12) month period for any motor vehicle for the same or substantially the same unsafe condition or required part or equipment not being in proper repair and adjustment, the director shall suspend the registration of the vehicle described in the notice, and the owner shall be subject for each violation to fines enumerated in § 31-41.4-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-118 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-118
§ 31-3-118. Special plate for Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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 Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. The plates shall be designed to reference Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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) Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates, and shall be designed by Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with the design approved by the RI state police.

(d) Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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.). Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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, Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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 Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. to assist in the fiscal needs and in furtherance of its mission.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals will go to Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc.

(i) Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, 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 Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. motor vehicle license plates.

(k) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Day of Portugal and Portuguese Heritage in RI, Inc. plates, the organization must use any Rhode Island-sourced funds in and for the benefit of Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-18-22 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-18 / Section 31-18-22
§ 31-18-22. Public information and education on the rights of pedestrians.
Status: in_force

A program of public information and education designed to educate the motoring public to the rights of pedestrians shall be developed by the department of transportations office on highway safety. The department of transportations office on highway safety, in cooperation with the department of health, shall study the effectiveness of the implementation of this section and shall submit to the general assembly a report containing its findings by July 1, 2000.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-61.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-61.1
§ 31-3-61.1. Fire Chief Emeritus  Frank M. Brown, Jr.
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 Hopkins Hill Fire District, Frank M. Brown, Jr. 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 Frank M. Brown, Jr. so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-3.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-3.1
§ 31-27-3.1. Annual Impaired Driving Report.
Status: in_force

(a) The attorney general, with the cooperation of state and municipal police departments, with the district court, the traffic tribunal and the department of transportation shall annually, on or before, the 30th day of April of each year, prepare a written report to the general assembly identifying all cases where an individual is charged with an offense under § 31-27-1 through § 31-27-2.8 of the general laws. The report shall include the numbers of cases charged under each statute, as well as the disposition in each case charged, if any.

(b) In addition to the number of cases charged and their disposition, the report shall identify the number of cases which are filed with dual charges of driving under the influence under § 31-27-1 and refusal to submit to a chemical test under § 31-27-2, and the disposition of each of these dual charges.

(c) The report shall also identify, in any alcohol or drug related fatality charged under §§ 31-27-1  31-27-8 of the general laws, whether the driver of the motor vehicle, a passenger in the motor vehicle or a pedestrian was identified by law enforcement, the medical examiner or any other entity as being under the influence of alcohol or drugs in the fatal accident.

(d) The attorney general shall promulgate any rule or regulation necessary to implement the provisions of this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-32 / Section 31-32-2
§ 31-32-2. Proof of financial responsibility for the future defined.
Status: in_force

(a) Proof of financial responsibility for the future, as used in this chapter, means proof of ability to respond in damages for liability, on account of accidents occurring subsequent to the effective date of the proof, arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a vehicle of a type subject to registration under the laws of this state, in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident, and, subject to the limit for one person, in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one accident, and in the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) because of injury to or destruction of property of others in any one accident or seventy-five thousand dollars ($75,000) combined single limit.

(b) Wherever used in this chapter, proof of financial responsibility or proof  is synonymous with the term proof of financial responsibility for the future.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-36-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-36 / Section 31-36-12
§ 31-36-12. Tax as debt to state.
Status: in_force

The tax imposed under the provisions of this chapter, together with all penalties, charges, and interest thereon shall also become, from the time the same are due and payable, a debt to the state of Rhode Island from the person or corporation liable for the payment of it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-33-8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-33 / Section 31-33-8
§ 31-33-8. Assigned risk plans.
Status: in_force

(a) After consultation with the insurance companies authorized to issue automobile liability and/or physical damage policies in this state, the insurance commissioner shall approve a reasonable plan or plans, fair to the insurers and equitable to their policyholders, for the apportionment among the companies of applicants for motor vehicle liability and/or physical damage insurance who are in good faith entitled to but are unable to procure insurance through ordinary methods.

(b) The plan or plans shall provide coverage for liability imposed by law for damages arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of the vehicle or vehicles within the United States or the Dominion of Canada, up to a limit of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) because of bodily injury to or death of one person in any one accident and, up to a limit of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) because of bodily injury to or death of two (2) or more persons in any one accident.

(c) When any plan or plans have been approved, all the insurance companies shall subscribe to it or them and participate with respect to those types of insurance which they write in the state. Licensed non-resident insurance producers shall be allowed to submit applications to the plan or plans, provided that the state in which they hold a resident brokers license allows Rhode Island resident producers access to their respective plan or plans, or similar residual market mechanism.

(d) Any applicant for insurance, any person insured under the plan, and any insurance company affected, may appeal to the insurance commissioner from any ruling or decision of a manager or committee designated to operate the plan or plans. Any order or act of the insurance commissioner under the provisions of this section shall be subject to review on petition filed by an aggrieved party in the superior court for the counties of Providence and Bristol within ten (10) days after notice of it is given. The court shall determine whether the filing of the petition shall operate as a stay of any order or act of the insurance commissioner, and the court shall summarily hear the matter. The court may, in disposing of the issue before it, modify, affirm, or reverse the order or act of the insurance commissioner in whole or in part.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-27 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-27
§ 31-3-27. Responsibility for use of dealers plates.
Status: in_force

Every manufacturer, bailee, transporter, or dealer shall be at all times fully responsible and aware as to the use of special plates and the identity of the vehicles to which they are attached, and shall make this information immediately available to any proper officer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-17
§ 31-10-17. Release from liability.
Status: in_force

Any person who has signed the application of a minor for a license may later file with the division of motor vehicles a verified written request that the license granted to the minor be cancelled. On receipt of the request the division of motor vehicles shall cancel the license of the minor and the person who signed the application of the minor shall be relieved from the liability imposed under this chapter by reason of having signed the application on account of any subsequent negligence or willful misconduct of the minor in operating a motor vehicle.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-18-20.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-18 / Section 31-18-20.1
§ 31-18-20.1. Operation of wheelchairs  Lamps and other equipment required.
Status: in_force

(a) Any wheelchair, motorized or manual, operating upon roadways, 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 (500²) feet to the front.

(b) Every wheelchair shall be equipped with a red reflector of a type approved by the division of motor vehicles which shall be visible from six hundred (600²) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of head lamps on a motor vehicle.

(c) Side Reflectors. Every wheelchair operating upon roadways, when in use at nighttime, shall be equipped with a minimum of twenty (20) square inches on each side of the wheelchair 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 wheelchair. All reflective material shall be visible during the hours of darkness from five hundred (500²) feet when viewed under lawful low beam headlights under normal atmospheric conditions on straight, level, unlighted roadway, and shall meet the requirements as prescribed by the division of motor vehicles.

(d) No person shall sell a wheelchair, new or used, that is not equipped with side reflectors, rear reflectors and front white light as required by this section. Wheelchairs sold to institutions for the exclusive use inside facilities shall be exempt from this section, provided that no exempt wheelchair shall be used upon roadways.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-40-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-40 / Section 31-40-6
§ 31-40-6. Order of court.
Status: in_force

If the court finds that the person is not the same person named in the habitual offender transcript or abstract, or that the person is not an habitual offender under this chapter, the proceeding shall be dismissed. But if the court finds that the person is the person named in the habitual offender transcript or abstract and that the person is an habitual offender, the court shall find and by appropriate order direct the person not to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of the state of Rhode Island, and to surrender to the court all licenses or permits to operate a motor vehicle on the highways of this state. The clerk of the court shall file with the division of motor vehicles a copy of the order which shall become a part of the permanent records of the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-92 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-92
§ 31-3-92. Judge Emeritus  Raymond E. Shawcross.
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 Family Court Judge Raymond E. Shawcross. This plate is to bear the identification Judge Emeritus with an appropriate number and seal of the state thereon imprinted and the plate shall be issued subject to the same terms and conditions as contained in § 31-3-47(d) for such period of time as Judge Shawcross so desires. The provisions of § 31-3-17.1 shall apply with respect to the cost of issuance and registration.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-24 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-24
§ 31-3-24. Dealers certificate.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles, upon granting any application shall issue to the applicant a certificate containing the applicants name and address and the general distinguishing number assigned to the applicant.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-18-13 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-18 / Section 31-18-13
§ 31-18-13. Use of white cane restricted to blind persons.
Status: in_force

It is unlawful for any person, unless totally or partially blind, while on any public street or highway, to carry in a raised or extended position a cane or walking stick which is white in color or white tipped with red.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-14-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-14 / Section 31-14-10
§ 31-14-10. Nighttime limits for motor-driven cycles.
Status: in_force

No person shall operate any motor-driven cycle at any time mentioned in § 31-24-1 at a speed greater than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) unless the motor-driven cycle is equipped with a head lamp or lamps which are adequate to reveal a person or vehicle at a distance of three hundred feet (300²) ahead.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-5
§ 31-5-5. Dealers license required  Dealer defined.
Status: in_force

No motor vehicle dealer shall engage in business as a dealer in this state without a license for it as provided in §§ 31-5-6  31-5-10. Any person, firm, or corporation who sells or acts as a broker with respect to the sale of more than four (4) vehicles in any one calendar year shall be considered a motor vehicle dealer. Any person, firm or corporation who, prior to the retail sale of a motor vehicle, converts, or otherwise assembles, installs, or affixes a body, cab or special equipment to a chassis or who adds to, subtracts from, or modifies a previously assembled or manufactured motor vehicle, shall be considered a motor vehicle dealer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-26 / Section 31-26-16
§ 31-26-16. Uniform statewide motor vehicle accident police report.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established a uniform statewide motor vehicle accident police report which shall be used by the Rhode Island state police and all other state or municipal police departments.

(b) This report shall include any information that the superintendent of the Rhode Island state police in consultation with the Municipal Police Chiefs Association shall deem appropriate.

(c) The failure of a police department to use the uniform report form when taking a report shall not be used:

(1) By a defendant in a criminal prosecution or violation hearing as grounds for challenge to, or dismissal of, any charges or citations arising out of the motor vehicle accident; or

(2) As a basis to challenge the admissibility of a police report in any administrative or judicial proceeding, civil or criminal.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-98 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-98
§ 31-3-98. Special plate for the Autism Project of Rhode Island.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for the Autism Project of Rhode Island. The plates shall be designed to reference The Autism Project of Rhode Island.

(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 Autism Project of Rhode Island motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates, and shall be designed by the Autism Project of Rhode Island in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Autism Project of Rhode Island 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 Autism Project of Rhode Island plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Autism Project of Rhode Island, 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 Autism Project of Rhode Island plates shall be subject to a forty dollars ($40.00) issuance surcharge.

(g) The forty dollars ($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 Autism Project of Rhode Island in furtherance of their mission to develop a comprehensive system of care and resources that meet the needs of children and adults with autism and their families, including education, health, vocational, career, social and community needs in the state of Rhode Island.

(h) The Autism Project of Rhode Island shall be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(i) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of the Autism Project of Rhode Island plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-10
§ 31-22-10. Regulation as to school buses.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles is authorized to adopt any rules and regulations that it may deem necessary for the safety and protection of school children concerning the type, construction, and equipment of motor vehicles primarily used for the transportation of children to and from schools, to and from child care facilities licensed by the department of children, youth and families, and to and from school sponsored activities including athletics and extra-curricular activities, and the operation of them. It may from time to time alter, rescind, or add to the rules and regulations.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-3
§ 31-22-3. Riding on motorcycles.
Status: in_force

(a) A person operating a motorcycle shall ride only upon the permanent and regular seat attached to it. The operator shall not carry any other person nor shall any other person ride on a motorcycle unless the motorcycle is designed to carry more than one person, in which event a passenger may ride upon the permanent and regular seat if designed for two (2) persons, or upon another seat firmly attached to the rear or side of the operator.

(b) In no event shall a motorcycle passenger ride in front of the operator. An operator violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a civil violation and upon conviction shall be fined not more than one hundred dollars ($100).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-38-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-38 / Section 31-38-9
§ 31-38-9. False certificates.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall make, issue, or knowingly use any imitation or counterfeit of an official certificate of inspection.

(b) No person shall display or cause or permit to be displayed, upon any vehicle any certificate of inspection and approval knowing the certificate to be fictitious or issued for another vehicle or issued without an inspection having been made.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-26 / Section 31-26-5
§ 31-26-5. Duty in accident resulting in damage to highway fixtures.
Status: in_force

The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to fixtures legally upon or adjacent to a highway shall take reasonable steps to locate and notify the owner or person in charge of the property of the fact and of his or her name and address and of the registration number of the vehicle the driver is driving. The driver shall upon request exhibit his or her operators or chauffeurs license and shall immediately give notice of the accident to a nearby office of local or state police. In the event the office so notified does not have jurisdiction of the locale of the accident, it shall be the duty of the officer receiving the notice to immediately give notice of the accident to the office having jurisdiction.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-25 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-25
§ 31-27-25. Ticket quotas prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) No state or municipal agency engaged in the enforcement of any motor vehicle traffic or parking laws of this state, or any local ordinance governing motor vehicle traffic or parking, may establish or maintain any policy, formally or informally, requiring any officer to meet a quota.

(b) As used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) Officer shall mean any peace officer as defined in § 12-7-21 and any police officer as defined in § 31-1-21, and shall also include any individual engaged in enforcing ordinances authorized by chapter 28 of this title.

(2) Quota means any requirement regarding the number of arrests or investigative stops made, or summonses or citations issued, by an officer regarding motor vehicle traffic or parking violations.

(c) Nothing contained herein shall preclude a local or municipal agency from using data concerning arrests or investigative stops made, or summonses or citations issued, and their disposition in the evaluation of an officers work performance, provided such data is not the exclusive means of evaluating such performance.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-45-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-45 / Section 31-45-3
§ 31-45-3. Applicability.
Status: in_force

This chapter applies to the total noise from a vehicle and shall not be construed as limiting or precluding the enforcement of any other provisions of law relating to motor vehicle exhaust noise.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-11.9
§ 31-22-11.9. Use of personal wireless communications devices by minors while operating motor vehicles is prohibited.
Status: in_force

(a) The use of a personal wireless communication device by a minor, while the minor is operating a motor vehicle shall be prohibited, except in the case of an emergency. For purposes of this section, the term minor shall include any person less than eighteen (18) years of age.

(b) Any person who violates any of the provisions of subsection (a) of this section shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of one hundred dollars ($100).

(c) For a second conviction under this section, a person shall be punished by a fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150).

(d) For a third or subsequent conviction, a person shall be punished by a fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) and/or loss of license until the user reaches his/her eighteenth (18th) birthday.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-40-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-40 / Section 31-40-7
§ 31-40-7. Period during which habitual offender not to be licensed.
Status: in_force

No license to operate motor vehicles in Rhode Island shall be reissued to an habitual offender, subsequent to an order of the court as provided in § 31-40-6:

(1) For a period of not less than one year nor more than five (5) years from the date of the order of the court finding the person to be an habitual offender; and

(2) Until the privilege of the person to operate a motor vehicle in this state has been restored by an order of the court of record entered in a proceeding as provided in this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-2.8
§ 31-27-2.8. Ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing imposed as a part of sentence  Requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person subject to suspension pursuant to §§ 31-27-2.1(b)(1) and 31-27-2.1(b)(2) or convicted under the provisions of § 31-27-2(d)(1), § 31-27-2(d)(2), § 31-27-2(d)(3)(i), or § 31-27-2(d)(3)(ii), or whose violation is sustained under the provisions of §§ 31-27-2.1(b)(1) and 31- 27-2.1(b)(2), may be prohibited by the sentencing judge or magistrate from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system, and/or blood and urine testing by a licensed physician with knowledge and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of drug-related disorders, a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, or EAP professional with like knowledge, or a substance abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (all of whom shall be licensed in Rhode Island), pursuant to this section.

(1) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this chapter, if a Rhode Island traffic tribunal magistrate makes a finding that a motorist was operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person or vehicle, or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof, but not intoxicating liquor based on a preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates no blood alcohol concentration or both, the magistrate may exercise his or her discretion and eliminate the requirement of an ignition interlock system; provided, that blood and/or urine testing is mandated as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in this section.

(2) Notwithstanding any other sentencing and disposition provisions contained in this chapter, if a Rhode Island traffic tribunal magistrate makes a finding that a motorist was operating a vehicle in the state while under the influence of drugs, toluene, or any controlled substance as evidenced by the presence of controlled substances on or about the person or vehicle, or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions thereof and intoxicating liquor based on a preliminary breath test, results from a breathalyzer that indicates blood alcohol concentration or both, the magistrate may require an ignition interlock system in addition to blood and/or urine testing as a condition to operating a motor vehicle as provided in this section.

(b) Notwithstanding any other provisions contained in this chapter, any mandatory period of license suspension shall, upon request, be reduced by the imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing ordered by the court or traffic tribunal as follows:

(1) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for three (3) months to one year.

(2) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(1), a person shall be subject to a minimum thirty-day (30) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of six (6) months to two (2) years.

(3) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum forty-five-day (45) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of six (6) months to two (2) years.

(4) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(2), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day (60) license suspension and an imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of one to four (4) years.

(5) For a violation of § 31-27-2(d)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum sixty-day (60) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of one to four (4) years.

(6) For a violation of § 31-27-2.1(c)(3), a person shall be subject to a minimum ninety-day (90) license suspension and imposition of an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of two (2) to ten (10) years.

(7) No license suspension shall be subject to more than a thirty-day (30) license suspension based solely upon the imposition of an ignition interlock system.

(i) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or upon an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or determination that the motorist was under the influence of intoxicating liquor only, the magistrate shall, upon request, immediately grant a conditional hardship license after a finding of need pursuant to this section and upon proof of the installation of an ignition interlock device.

(ii) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or upon an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or determination that the motorist was under the influence of drugs, toluene, or a controlled substance, but not intoxicating liquor, the judge or magistrate shall, upon request immediately grant a conditional hardship license after a finding of need pursuant to this section and upon proof of blood and urine testing pursuant to this section.

(iii) If a conviction pursuant to § 31-27-2(d)(1) or § 31-27-2.1(c)(1) is a first offense, or upon an initial suspension pursuant to § 31-27-2.1(b)(1), where there has been a finding or determination that the motorist was under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, a controlled substance, or any combination thereof, the magistrate shall, upon request immediately grant a conditional hardship license after a finding of need pursuant to this section and upon proof of the installation of an ignition interlock device, subject also to the following testing:

(A) The testing of either blood or urine is being performed by or monitored by a licensed physician with knowledge and clinical experience in the diagnosis and treatment of drug-related disorders, a licensed or certified psychologist, social worker, or EAP professional with like knowledge, or a substance abuse counselor certified by the National Association of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors (all of whom shall be licensed in Rhode Island).

(B) The motorist is required to pay for the substance abuse professional, any testing, retesting, monitoring, and reporting costs of the blood and urine testing.

(C) Samples are to be collected, tested and confirmed by a federally certified laboratory by means of gas chromatography/mass spectrometry or technology recognized as being at least as scientifically accurate.

(D) Samples are to be taken weekly for the first sixty (60) days, thereafter in accordance with the recommendation of the substance abuse professional. The samples taken thereafter may be ordered randomly, but must be provided by the motorist within twenty-four (24) hours of the request. The substance abuse professional shall report to the department of the attorney general within twenty-four (24) hours any failure by the motorist to comply with a request for a sample.

(E) A positive test of urine or blood that evidences any controlled substances shall be reported by the substance abuse professional to the motorist and to the department of the attorney general within twenty-four (24) hours of receipt of the results. The motorist may, at his or her own expense, have an opportunity to have the sample retested or reevaluated by an independent testing facility which shall provide the result directly to the substance abuse professional. The attorney general may request, at any time, a copy of any or all test results from the substance abuse professional, who shall forward the requested results within forty-eight (48) hours.

(F) Upon completion of the license suspension, conditional hardship, ignition interlock and substance abuse testing periods, a finalized report shall be presented to the department of motor vehicles prior to any license reinstatement.

(G) If a judge or magistrate determines that a motorist either failed, without good cause, to comply with a sample request or tested positive for any controlled substance, he or she may exercise his or her discretion and revoke the conditional hardship license, extend the time period for the ignition interlock system and/or substance abuse testing for an additional period of up to twelve (12) months and/or impose an additional loss of license for up to twenty-four (24) months.

(H) A motorist who has failed, without good cause, to comply with a sample request or tested positive for any controlled substance for a second time within twelve (12) months of the first failure and/or positive test determination shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment, or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

(c) However, in any case where a motorist is convicted of an alcohol-related offense pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, the judge or magistrate may exercise his or her discretion in the granting of the hardship license by imposing up to a ninety (90) day loss of license prior to any imposition of the hardship license. The hardship license shall be valid for twelve (12) continuous hours per day for any valid reason approved in advance by the sentencing judge or magistrate, which shall include employment, medical appointments, job training, schooling, or religious purposes. The hardship license shall not be for less than twelve (12) continuous hours per day. A hardship license shall only be granted in conjunction with the installation of an ignition interlock device and/or blood and urine testing. Any conditional driving privileges must be set by the sentencing judge or magistrate after a hearing in which the motorist must provide proof of employment status and hours of employment, or any other legitimate reasons justifying a hardship license. These shall include, but not be limited to, any unemployment training, schooling, medical appointments, therapy treatments, or any other valid requests set forth by sworn affidavit. Once said hardship period has concluded, the motorist must still be subject to the conditions of the ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as set forth under this section for the period of time as directed by the court. Any individual who violates the requirements of this subsection shall be subject to the penalties enumerated in § 31-11-18.1.

(d) Any person convicted of an offense of driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in death, § 31-27-2.2; driving under the influence of liquor or drugs resulting in serious bodily injury, § 31-27-2.6; driving to endanger resulting in death, § 31-27-1; or driving to endanger resulting in serious bodily injury, § 31-27-1.1; may, in addition to any other penalties provided by law, be prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an approved ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for one to five (5) years.

(e) Any person who operates a motor vehicle with a suspended license during the period of suspension, and the reason for the suspension was due to a conviction of driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol or a sustained violation or conviction of refusal to submit to a chemical test, shall be subject to the further use of the ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing for a period of six (6) months subsequent to the penalties enumerated in § 31-11-18.1.

(f) When the court orders the use of an ignition interlock system, the judge or magistrate shall cause an appropriate notation to be made on the persons record that clearly sets forth the requirement for, and the period of the use of, the ignition interlock system.

(g) In addition to the requirements of subsection (f) of this section, the court or traffic tribunal shall:

(1) Require proof of the installation of the ignition interlock system and periodic reporting by the person for the purpose of verification of the proper operation of the ignition interlock system;

(2) Require the person to have the ignition interlock system monitored for the proper use and accuracy by a person, firm, corporation, or other association to be approved by the division of motor vehicles at least once every six (6) months, or more frequently as the circumstances may require; and

(3) Require the person to pay the reasonable cost of leasing or buying, monitoring, and maintenance of the ignition interlock system.

(4) The requirements under subsection (g) of this section shall be the responsibility of the probation department or justice assistance, if the individual is under their control, or the division of motor vehicles if the individual is not monitored as a condition of the individuals plea or finding of guilt.

(h) Any person granted a conditional hardship license upon proof of installation of an ignition interlock device, may operate that motor vehicle during the entire twelve-hour (12) period of operation granted by the sentencing judge or magistrate including during the scope of the persons employment and/or any other valid reason approved by the sentencing judge or magistrate.

(i) If a person is required, in the course of the persons employment, to operate a motor vehicle owned or provided by the persons employer, the person may operate that motor vehicle in the course of the persons employment without installation of an ignition interlock system if the court makes specific findings expressly permitting the person to operate, in the course of the persons employment, a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.

(j)(1) Any person subject to an ignition interlock order and/or blood and urine testing who violates such order shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment, or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

(2) For a second violation within six (6) months from entry of the order, the person violating the order shall be imprisoned for a term of not less than ten (10) days and not more than one year.

(k) For the purposes of this subsection, a violation of the interlock order, includes, but is not limited to:

(1) Altering, tampering, or in any way attempting to circumvent the operation of an ignition interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle of a person under this section;

(2) Operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system; or

(3) Soliciting or attempting to have another person start a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system.

(l) Any person who attempts to start, or starts, a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock system, tampers with, or in any way attempts to circumvent, the operation of an ignition interlock system that has been installed in the motor vehicle for the purpose of providing an operable motor vehicle to a person who is prohibited from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year imprisonment or a fine of up to one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-4.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-4.2
§ 31-27-4.2. Minimal requirements.
Status: in_force

(a) In any criminal action brought under § 31-27-4.1 or 31-27-4.2 in which a high speed pursuit occurs, the following definitions and minimal requirements of the high speed pursuit shall apply and shall be complied with by the charging police department.

(b) Any police department charging a suspect under the provisions of this chapter shall limit the use of continued high speed vehicular pursuits to those situations which involve:

(1) The attempted apprehension of persons wanted for the commission of felonious and/or misdemeanor acts that threaten, have threatened, or will threaten the health, life, or safety of a person or persons; or

(2) The pursuit of a motor vehicle operator who has committed flagrant moving motor vehicle violations which have endangered the lives and safety of others, and was operating in a reckless manner before the pursuit was initiated, and is continuing to operate in a manner that recklessly endangers the lives and safety of others, including, but not limited to, driving under the influence of liquor or drugs.

(c) Definition. A high speed pursuit is the active attempt by a police officer in an authorized emergency vehicle to apprehend the occupants of a running motor vehicle at speeds in excess of fifteen miles per hour (15 MPH) over the speed limit.

(d) Responsibilities of pursuing officer(s). Upon initiation of a high speed pursuit the officer(s) shall:

(1) As soon as practical communicate to his or her dispatcher his or her location and direction of travel.

(2) Provide the reason for the high speed pursuit.

(3) Communicate the ongoing status of the pursuit at regular intervals including any significant change of circumstances which might affect the decision to either continue or discontinue the pursuit.

(4) Activate all audio (sirens) and visual (emergency lights) warning devices until the high speed pursuit is terminated.

(5) Adhere to all the provisions of §§ 31-12-6 through 31-12-9.

(6) Terminate the high speed pursuit when in his or her judgment the dangers created by the pursuit outweigh the need for immediate apprehension.

(e) Responsibilities of the officer in charge and/or field supervisor. In all continued high speed pursuit situations, command responsibility rests with the officer in charge and/or the field supervisor. It shall be the duty of the officer in charge and/or the field supervisor to provide adequate supervision to the officer involved in the high speed pursuit and to:

(1) Track the location of the pursuit.

(2) Review and consider as many facts of the pursuit as are available.

(3) Consider the potential and real dangers of the continuation of the pursuit.

(4) Order the termination of the high speed pursuit when in his or her judgment the dangers created by the pursuit outweigh the need for immediate apprehension.

(f) Interjurisdictional pursuits. Whenever there exists the possibility of a high speed pursuit extending into another jurisdiction, the officer in charge shall order the surrounding jurisdictions to be notified of the high speed pursuit and of its potential for extending into their jurisdictions. If the high speed pursuit enters a jurisdiction different from the jurisdiction from which it began, then the high speed pursuit policy of the entered jurisdiction shall apply and control and the entered jurisdiction shall have the authority consistent with its policies to terminate the high speed pursuit. For purposes of this chapter, the state police shall have statewide jurisdiction.

(g)(1) Reports. Whenever a high speed pursuit occurs, each officer involved shall submit a written report to be kept on file of his or her participation in the pursuit and the factual reasons justifying the officers participation in the pursuit.

(2) The officer in charge shall also file a written report giving a complete account of the pursuit including his or her factual reason for continuing or terminating the pursuit.

(h) Each police department shall enact policies and procedures which are consistent with these minimum requirements and to provide copies of those policies to the attorney generals department.

(i) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to create any additional civil liability upon individuals or their employers who engage in high speed pursuits.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-6.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-6.2
§ 31-3-6.2. List of vehicles and licenses on which court costs owed delinquent  Denial of renewal of registration and licenses.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator/division of motor vehicles shall furnish to the State Court 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 state court administrator determines that any person seeking to renew his/her operators license and/or registration has neglected or refused to pay any cash assistance benefit overpayments, court costs owed, fines owed, obligations owed or restitution owed, as such terms are defined in § 44-30.1-1, the state court administrator shall send a written notice to such person informing him/her of the state court 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 the determination. For the purposes of this section, the terms cash assistance benefit overpayments, court costs owed, fines owed, obligations owed or restitution owed by a debtor as defined in § 44-30.1-1, are referred to as costs owed.

(b) Within twenty-one (21) days from the date of such notice, the licensee or registrant may request, in writing, a conference with the state court administrator or his/her designee, in order to show proof of payment of all costs owed or for the purpose of entering into a time payment agreement for the delinquent costs owed satisfactory to the state court 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 state court administrator that he/she has paid all required costs owed or that the licensee or registrant has not entered into time payment arrangement satisfactory to the state court administrator, the state court administrator shall notify the administrator/division of motor vehicles that the licensee or registrant is delinquent in paying costs owed. The state court 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 costs owed have been paid in full or the licensee or registrant has entered into a time payment agreement satisfactory to the state court 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.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-2-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-2 / Section 31-2-3
§ 31-2-3. Enforcement duties of administrator.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is vested with the power and is charged with the duty of observing, administering, and enforcing the provisions of chapters 1  50 of this title and of all laws regulating the operation of vehicles, or the use of the highways, the enforcement or administration of which is now or hereafter vested in the division of motor vehicles.

(b) The administrator shall appoint any subordinates he or she may require for the proper performance of his or her duties. The administrator, and any subordinates designated by the administrator, shall have and exercise throughout this state the same authority to make arrests for violations of statutes relating to motor vehicles and to enforce those statutes as police or town constables have in their respective jurisdictions, including the power of arrest without warrant for any violation of title 31. The administrator, and any subordinates designated by the administrator, may serve all process lawfully issued by the administrator. Whenever a complaint is made of any violation of the provisions of the aforementioned chapters by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, or those subordinates designated by him or her to enforce these provisions, he or she shall not be required to furnish surety for cost or be liable for cost upon any complaint. The administrator, and any subordinates he or she may designate, may bear and use firearms and may be equipped with uniforms as prescribed by the administrator of motor vehicles in accordance with the policing and enforcing provisions as prescribed by this section.

(c) The administrator may provide for training for those persons designated with authority to make arrests and shall issue to each such person credentials showing his or her identity and these credentials shall be carried upon their person while in the discharge of his or her duties.

(d) At no time may any subordinate authorized to make arrests stop a motorist for any violation of the motor vehicle law while the motorist is operating a vehicle upon any highway of this state, unless that subordinate is operating or riding in a division of motor vehicles vehicle that is plainly marked Division of motor vehicles or unless the motorist is fleeing from pursuit by a division of motor vehicles officer.

(e) The administrator may adopt any further regulations that he or she may deem necessary to implement this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-28-7.3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-28 / Section 31-28-7.3
§ 31-28-7.3. Disability parking enforcement program.
Status: in_force

(a) The state police, department of environmental management, airport corporation, capitol police, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and the state operated colleges shall establish a disability parking enforcement enhancement programs no later than January 1, 2000. The program will be designed to improve enforcement of disability parking laws on state-owned property and in parking facilities serving space leased or owned by the state, including state departments, agencies, boards, commissions, and quasi-governmental corporations. Citations issued in conjunction with this program shall be submitted to the traffic tribunal or its successor entity for collection pursuant to §§ 31-28-7 and 31-28-7.1 and the fines collected through shall be paid over to the state agency or college that issued the citation.

(b) The several cities and towns shall establish disability parking enforcement enhancement programs. Citations issued in conjunction with local enforcement programs shall be submitted to the municipal court, where established, or to the traffic tribunal or its successor entity. Fines collected through citations issued in accordance with local enforcement program specifications shall be paid over to the city or town or pursuant to §§ 31-28-7 and 31-28-7.1.

(c) Disability parking enforcement enhancement plans. (1) The state police, department of environmental management, airport corporation, capitol police, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and the state operated colleges shall submit a disability parking enforcement enhancement plan to the governors commission on disabilities. (2) Cities and towns shall submit a disability parking enforcement enhancement plan to the governors commission on the disability. (3) The disability parking enforcement enhancement plans shall describe the enforcement program which the state police, department of environmental management, airport corporation, capitol police, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, the state operated colleges or the municipality intends to establish. (4) The disability parking enforcement enhancement plan shall be reviewed by governors commission on disabilities within sixty (60) days of receipt and suggest improvements to the disability parking enforcement enhancement plans, that shall not be construed as required amendments.

(d) The types of disability parking enforcement enhancement programs which may be put in place in each municipality, and by the state police, department of environmental management, airport corporation, capitol police, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and the state operated colleges, may include, but shall not be limited to:

(1) Enforcement programs which utilize persons deputized for the purpose of the disability parking enforcement enhancement program. The disability parking enforcement deputies shall be required to complete a minimum of four (4) hours training in parking enforcement before being assigned to the program. Each municipality and the state police, department of environmental management, airport corporation, capitol police, department of behavioral healthcare, developmental disabilities and hospitals, and the state operated colleges shall provide adequate training and shall assume all liability associated with disability parking enforcement.

(2) Enforcement programs which specifically designate paid and trained personnel as staff for the disability parking enforcement enhancement program. These personnel are not limited to on-duty police officers, but may also include officers to be paid overtime, auxiliary personnel, special forces, retired personnel, and other paid employee deemed by the responsible authority to be competent and qualified.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-24 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-24
§ 31-22-24. Interior lights to be operated before dawn and after dusk during police stop.
Status: in_force

The operator of any vehicle upon a highway within this state, upon the stopping of the vehicle by any law enforcement or police officer, shall, at any time from a half-hour after sunset to a half-hour before sunrise, display and operate its interior lights until such time as the officer allows the vehicle to continue in its operation. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-12
§ 31-3-12. Visibility of plates.
Status: in_force

Each registration plate and the required letters and numerals on it, except the year number for which issued, shall be of sufficient size to be plainly readable from a distance of one hundred feet (100²) during daylight. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-6-8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-6 / Section 31-6-8
§ 31-6-8. Disabled veterans.
Status: in_force

(a) Any veteran who has been honorably discharged from the service of the armed forces or the Merchant Marine of the United States in any of the wars or campaigns in which the United States has been engaged and who, while engaged in these wars or campaigns or as a result of engagement in these wars or campaigns, by reason of amputation, has lost one or both of the veterans arms, hands, feet, or legs, or who, by reason of other permanent injury, has lost the use of one or both of the veterans arms, hands, feet, or legs, or to whom has been granted a motor vehicle under chapter 870-2D, United States Public Laws 663, enacted 1946, 79th Congress, or has suitable documentation from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to establish that the veteran:

(1) Has a combined service connected disability rating of one hundred percent (100%); or

(2) Is considered individually unemployable due to the veterans service-connected disability, shall be exempt from the payment of any fee for the annual registration of and a license to operate that motor vehicle.

(b) The administrator for the division of motor vehicles shall issue to an eligible veteran for use on an automobile, or on a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of twelve thousand pounds (12,000 lbs.) or less, registration plates designated Disabled Veteran. Upon the death of the holder of Disabled Veteran plates, the plates may be transferred to the veterans surviving spouse for the spouses lifetime or until the spouse remarries. Only one set of Disabled Veteran plates shall be issued to an eligible veteran and only after certification of eligibility from the Veterans Administration or other satisfactory documentation of eligibility is presented.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-2.1
§ 31-27-2.1. Refusal to submit to chemical test.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person who operates a motor vehicle within this state shall be deemed to have given his or her consent to chemical tests of his or her breath, blood, saliva and/or urine for the purpose of determining the chemical content of his or her body fluids or breath. No more than two (2) complete tests, one for the presence of intoxicating liquor and one for the presence of toluene or any controlled substance, as defined in § 21-28-1.02, shall be administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer having reasonable grounds to believe the person to have been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these. The director of the department of health is empowered to make and file, with the secretary of state, regulations that prescribe the techniques and methods of chemical analysis of the persons body fluids or breath and the qualifications and certification of individuals authorized to administer the testing and analysis.

(b) If a person, for religious or medical reasons, cannot be subjected to blood tests, the person may file an affidavit with the division of motor vehicles stating the reasons why he or she cannot be required to take blood tests and a notation to this effect shall be made on his or her license. If that person is asked to submit to chemical tests as provided under this chapter, the person shall only be required to submit to chemical tests of his or her breath, saliva or urine. When a person is requested to submit to blood tests, only a physician or registered nurse, or a medical technician certified under regulations promulgated by the director of the department of health, may withdraw blood for the purpose of determining the alcoholic content in it. This limitation shall not apply to the taking of breath, saliva or urine specimens. The person tested shall be permitted to have a physician of his or her own choosing, and at his or her own expense, administer chemical tests of his or her breath, blood, saliva and/or urine in addition to the tests administered at the direction of a law enforcement officer. If a person, having been placed under arrest, refuses upon the request of a law enforcement officer to submit to the tests, as provided in § 31-27-2, none shall be given.

(1) At the initial traffic tribunal appearance, the magistrate shall review the incident, action, and/or arrest reports submitted by the law enforcement officer to determine if there exists reasonable grounds to believe that the person had been driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination thereof. The magistrate shall also determine if the person had been informed of the penalties incurred as a result of failing to submit to a chemical test as provided in this section and that the person had been informed of the implied consent notice contained in subsection (c)(10) of this section. For the purpose of this subsection only, driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of any controlled substance as defined in chapter 28 of title 21 shall be indicated by the presence or aroma of a controlled substance on or about the person or vehicle of the individual refusing the chemical test or other reliable indicia or articulable conditions that the person was impaired due to their intake of a controlled substance.

(2) If the magistrate determines that subsection (b)(1) of this section has been satisfied they shall promptly order that the persons operators license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state be immediately suspended. Said suspension shall be subject to the hardship provisions enumerated in § 31-27-2.8.

(c) A traffic tribunal judge or magistrate, or a district court judge or magistrate, pursuant to the terms of subsection (d) of this section, shall order as follows:

(1) Impose, for the first violation, a fine in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200) to five hundred dollars ($500) and shall order the person to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of public community restitution. The persons driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of six (6) months to one year. The traffic tribunal judge or magistrate shall require attendance at a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment for the individual. The traffic tribunal judge or magistrate may prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

(2) Every person convicted of a second violation within a ten-year (10) period, except with respect to cases of refusal to submit to a blood test, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; shall be imprisoned for not more than six (6) months; shall pay a fine in the amount of six hundred dollars ($600) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the persons driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of one year to two (2) years. The judge or magistrate shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8.

(3) Every person convicted for a third or subsequent violation within a ten-year (10) period, except with respect to cases of refusal to submit to a blood test, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor; and shall be imprisoned for not more than one year; fined eight hundred dollars ($800) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); shall perform not less than one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the persons operators license in this state shall be suspended for a period of two (2) years to five (5) years. The sentencing judge or magistrate shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system and/or blood and urine testing as provided in § 31-27-2.8. The judge or magistrate shall require alcohol or drug treatment for the individual. Provided, that prior to the reinstatement of a license to a person charged with a third or subsequent violation within a three-year (3) period, a hearing shall be held before a judge or magistrate. At the hearing, the judge or magistrate shall review the persons driving record, his or her employment history, family background, and any other pertinent factors that would indicate that the person has demonstrated behavior that warrants the reinstatement of his or her license.

(4) For a second violation within a ten-year (10) period with respect to a case of a refusal to submit to a blood test, a fine in the amount of six hundred dollars ($600) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); the person shall perform sixty (60) to one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the persons driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of two (2) years. The judicial officer shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual. The sentencing judicial officer shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8. Such a violation with respect to refusal to submit to a chemical blood test shall be a civil offense.

(5) For a third or subsequent violation within a ten-year (10) period with respect to a case of a refusal to submit to a blood test, a fine in the amount of eight hundred dollars ($800) to one thousand dollars ($1,000); the person shall perform not less than one hundred (100) hours of public community restitution; and the persons driving license in this state shall be suspended for a period of two (2) to five (5) years. The sentencing judicial officer shall prohibit that person from operating a motor vehicle that is not equipped with an ignition interlock system as provided in § 31-27-2.8. The judicial officer shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual. Such a violation with respect to refusal to submit to a chemical test of blood shall be a civil offense. Provided, that prior to the reinstatement of a license to a person charged with a third or subsequent violation within a three-year (3) period, a hearing shall be held before a judicial officer. At the hearing, the judicial officer shall review the persons driving record, his or her employment history, family background, and any other pertinent factors that would indicate that the person has demonstrated behavior that warrants the reinstatement of their license.

(6) For purposes of determining the period of license suspension, a prior violation shall constitute any charge brought and sustained under the provisions of this section or § 31-27-2.

(7) In addition to any other fines, a highway safety assessment of five hundred dollars ($500) shall be paid by any person found in violation of this section, the assessment to be deposited into the general fund. The assessment provided for by this subsection shall be collected from a violator before any other fines authorized by this section.

(8) In addition to any other fines and highway safety assessments, a two-hundred-dollar ($200) assessment shall be paid by any person found in violation of this section to support the department of healths chemical testing programs outlined in §§ 31-27-2(f) and 31-27-2(g), that shall be deposited as general revenues, not restricted receipts.

(9) No fines, suspensions, assessments, alcohol or drug treatment programs, course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance, or public community restitution provided for under this section can be suspended.

(10) Implied consent notice for persons eighteen (18) years of age or older: Rhode Island law requires you to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, saliva, or urine for the purpose of determining the chemical content of your body fluids or breath. If you refuse this testing, certain penalties can be imposed and include the following: for a first offense, your Rhode Island drivers license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state can be suspended for six (6) months to one year or modified to permit operation in connection with an ignition interlock device and/or blood and urine testing for a period specified by law; a fine from two hundred dollars ($200) to five hundred dollars ($500) can be imposed; and you can be ordered to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of community service and attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment. If you have had one or more previous offenses within the past ten (10) years, your refusal to submit to a chemical test of breath or urine at this time can have criminal penalties, including incarceration up to six (6) months for a second offense and up to one year for a third or subsequent offense, and can carry increased license suspension or ignition interlock and/or blood and urine testing periods, fines, and community service. All violators shall pay a five hundred dollar ($500) highway safety assessment fee, a two hundred dollar ($200) department of health chemical testing programs assessment fee, and a license reinstatement fee. Refusal to submit to a chemical test of blood shall not subject you to criminal penalties for the refusal itself, but if you have one or more previous offenses other civil penalties may increase. You have the right to be examined at your own expense by a physician selected by you. If you submit to a chemical test at this time, you have the right to have an additional chemical test performed at your own expense. You will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to exercise these rights. Access to a telephone will be made available for you to make those arrangements. You may now use a telephone.

Use of this implied consent notice shall serve as evidence that a persons consent to a chemical test is valid in a prosecution involving driving under the influence of liquor, controlled substances, and/or drugs.

(d) Upon suspending or refusing to issue a license or permit as provided in subsection (a), the traffic tribunal or district court shall immediately notify the person involved in writing, and upon his or her request, within fifteen (15) days, afford the person an opportunity for a hearing as early as practical upon receipt of a request in writing. Upon a hearing, the judge may administer oaths and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and papers. If the judge finds after the hearing that:

(1) The law enforcement officer making the sworn report had reasonable grounds to believe that the arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these;

(2) The person, while under arrest, refused to submit to the tests upon the request of a law enforcement officer;

(3) The person had been informed of his or her rights in accordance with § 31-27-3; and

(4) The person had been informed of the penalties contained in the implied consent notice set forth in subsection (c)(10) of this section, the judge shall sustain the violation. The judge shall then impose the penalties set forth in subsection (c) of this section. Action by the judge must be taken within seven (7) days after the hearing or it shall be presumed that the judge has refused to issue his or her order of suspension.

(e) For the purposes of this section, any test of a sample of blood, breath, or urine for the presence of alcohol that relies, in whole or in part, upon the principle of infrared light absorption is considered a chemical test.

(f) If any provision of this section, or the application of any provision, shall, for any reason, be judged invalid, the judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder of the section, but shall be confined in this effect to the provisions or application directly involved in the controversy giving rise to the judgment.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-2.5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-2.5
§ 31-27-2.5. Chemical tests to persons under eighteen (18) years of age  Refusal  License suspension.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person under eighteen (18) years of age who shall refuse to submit to a chemical test as provided in § 31-27-2 shall have imposed all the penalties provided by § 31-27-2.1, but shall have his or her license suspended on a first violation for six (6) months, subject to the terms of subsection (e) of this section.

(b) Jurisdiction for violations of this section is given to the family court.

(c) If a person as set forth in subsection (a) of this section refuses, upon the request of a law enforcement officer, to submit to a test as provided in § 31-27-2.1, none shall be given, but a judge of the family court, upon receipt of a report or testimony of a law enforcement officer: that he or she had probable cause to stop the arrested person and reasonable grounds to believe the arrested person had been driving a motor vehicle within this state while impaired by intoxicating liquor, toluene, or any controlled substance, as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, or any combination of these; that the person had been informed of his or her rights in accordance with § 31-27-3; that the person had been informed of the implied consent notice contained in subsection (h) of this section; and that the person had refused to submit to the test upon the request of a law enforcement officer; shall promptly order a hearing on whether the persons operators license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state shall be suspended. Upon suspension, the judge shall order the license of the person to be surrendered to the department of administration, division of motor vehicles, within three (3) days.

(d) If the person takes a test, as provided in § 31-27-2 and the test determines the persons blood alcohol concentration to be at least two-hundredths of one percent (.02%) but less than one-tenth of one percent (.1%) by weight, the person shall be determined to have been driving while impaired. A judge of the family court shall, pursuant to the terms of subsection (e) of this section, order as follows:

(1) A highway safety assessment of one hundred fifty dollars ($150), or community restitution in lieu of highway safety assessment shall be paid by any person found in violation of this section. The assessment shall be deposited into the general fund.

(2) The persons driving license shall be suspended for six (6) months on a first violation, and may be suspended for a period of up to twelve (12) months, provided the person also shall attend a special course on driving while intoxicated and provided that the person shall also attend an alcohol and/or drug treatment program if ordered by the family court judge. Failure or refusal of the person to attend the course and/or alcohol or drug treatment program shall result in the persons driving license being suspended until the course or treatment program has been completed.

(3) On a second violation of this section, the persons driving license shall be suspended until he or she is twenty-one (21) years of age. The sentencing judge shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual.

(4) On a third or subsequent violation, the persons driving license shall be suspended for an additional period of two (2) years and the sentencing judge shall require alcohol and/or drug treatment for the individual.

(5) No suspensions, assessments, driving while intoxicated school, or alcohol and/or drug treatment programs under this section can be suspended, shortened, altered, or changed.

(e) Upon suspending a license or permit as provided in subsection (a), (c), or (d) of this section, the family court shall immediately notify the person involved, in writing, as well as the custodial parent if the person is under the age of eighteen (18) years.

(f) The police department which charges any person under eighteen (18) years of age with refusal to submit to a chemical test, driving while impaired by intoxicating liquors or drugs, or driving while under the influence of liquor or drugs, shall ascertain the name and address of the custodial parent of the person and shall notify the parent in writing within ten (10) days of the charge.

(g) The department of administration, upon issuing a first license to a person sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) years of age, shall provide a written notice of the penalties provided by this section. Any violation of this section shall not be considered a criminal offense.

(h) Implied consent notice for persons under eighteen (18) years of age:

Rhode Island law requires you to submit to a chemical test of your blood, breath, or urine for the purpose of determining the chemical content of your body fluids or breath. If you refuse this testing, certain penalties can be imposed. These penalties include the following: your Rhode Island drivers license or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state can be suspended for six (6) months or modified to permit operation in connection with an ignition interlock device for a period specified by law; a fine from two hundred dollars ($200) to five hundred dollars ($500) can be imposed; and you can be ordered to perform ten (10) to sixty (60) hours of community service and attend a special course on driving while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance and/or alcohol or drug treatment. If you have had one or more previous offenses within the past five (5) years, your loss or modification of license, fine, and community service sanctions can increase over those provided for a first offense. All violators shall pay a five hundred dollar ($500) highway safety assessment fee, a two hundred dollar ($200) department of health chemical testing programs fee, and a license reinstatement fee. If you refuse to submit to a chemical test, you will be required to maintain proof of financial responsibility for three (3) years. Refusal to submit to a chemical test shall not be considered a criminal offense. You have the right to be examined at your own expense by a physician selected by you. If you submit to a chemical test at this time, you have the right to have an additional chemical test performed at your own expense. You will be afforded a reasonable opportunity to exercise these rights. Access to a telephone will be made available for you to make those arrangements. You may now use the telephone.

Use of this implied consent notice shall serve as evidence that a persons consent to a chemical test is valid in a trial for driving under the influence of liquor, controlled substances, and/or drugs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-13 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-47 / Section 31-47-13
§ 31-47-13. Insurers and sureties.
Status: in_force

(a) A finding by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles or traffic tribunal, or court that a person is covered by financial responsibility in the form of an insurance policy or surety bond is not binding upon the named insurer or surety or any of its officers, employees, agents, or representatives and has no legal effect except for the purpose of administering this section.

(b) The preparation and delivery of a document authorized to be used as financial responsibility under this division does not do any of the following:

(1) Create any liability or estoppel against an insurer or surety, or any of its officers, employees, agents, or representatives;

(2) Constitute an admission of the existence of, or of any liability or coverage under, any policy or bond;

(3) Waive any defenses or counterclaims available to an insurer, surety, agent, employee, or representative in an action commenced by an insured or third party claimant upon a cause of action alleged to have arisen under an insurance policy or surety bond or by reason of the preparation and delivery of a document for use as financial responsibility.

(c) Whenever it is determined by a final judgment in a judicial proceeding that an insurer or surety, which has been named on a document accepted by a court or the administrator of the division of motor vehicles as financial responsibility covering the operation of a motor vehicle at the time of an accident or offense, is not liable to pay a judgment for injuries or damages resulting from that operation, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall, notwithstanding any previous contrary finding, immediately suspend the operating privileges and registration rights of the person against whom the judgment was rendered as provided by this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-27.8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-27.8
§ 31-25-27.8. Weight restrictions within North Smithfield town hall area.
Status: in_force

(a) No commercial motor truck or tractor with more than four (4) axles, except those listed in this section, shall be allowed to travel on Main Street, North Main Street, School Street, and Green Street, within .3 miles of the North Smithfield town hall in the town of North Smithfield. Such vehicles shall also be prohibited from crossing the historic stone arch bridge in the area of Railroad Street and Providence Pike (Route 5) in North Smithfield while construction and repair on such bridge is being undertaken.

(b) The director of the department of transportation is directed to post signs to limit access as prescribed in subsection (a) of this section. Signs will be posted by the department of transportation stating Local Deliveries Only  No Through Trucking  4 Axle Limit.

(c) The following vehicles shall be exempt from the provisions of the travel restrictions set forth in this section, except as to the prohibition against crossing the historic stone arch bridge: 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, municipal vehicles, public transit vehicles, marked school administration vehicles; and vehicles participating in a civic parade. As to the historic stone arch bridge, only emergency vehicles, public transit vehicles, and marked school administration vehicles shall be exempt from the prohibition against crossing said bridge while construction and repair on said bridge is being undertaken.

(d) 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 § 31-20-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-20 / Section 31-20-2
§ 31-20-2. Driving through railroad gate or barrier.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around, or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad grade crossing while the gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed.

(b) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-15-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-15 / Section 31-15-17
§ 31-15-17. Crossing bicycle lane.
Status: in_force

(a) A person may not operate a motor vehicle upon a bicycle lane except when making a turn, entering or leaving the roadway or a parking lane, or when required in the course of official duty. An implement of husbandry may momentarily cross into a bicycle lane to permit other vehicles to overtake and pass the implement of husbandry.

(b) Violations of this section are subject of fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-13-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-13 / Section 31-13-1
§ 31-13-1. State traffic commission  Manual of traffic control devices.
Status: in_force

(a) There is established a state traffic commission consisting of the superintendent of state police or his or her designee from within the department of state police, the director of the department of revenue or his or her designee from within the division of motor vehicles, the director of the department of transportation or his or her designee from within the department of transportation, the governors representative to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration or his or her designee, and a member of the public appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate, with respect to which appointment the governor shall solicit and give due consideration to the recommendation of the Rhode Island Police Chiefs Association. The commission shall elect from among the members a chair and such other officers as it deems necessary.

(b) For the purpose of standardization and uniformity, the commission shall adopt and cause to be printed for publication a manual of regulations and specifications establishing a uniform system of traffic control signals, devices, signs, and marking consistent with the provisions of this chapter for use upon the public highways. The commission shall establish the traffic regulations under chapters 12  27 of this title. The commission shall meet not less frequently than monthly. The department of transportation shall provide all staff services and quarters required by the commission.

(c) Within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year, the commission shall approve and submit an annual report to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, and the secretary of state, of its activities during that fiscal year. The report shall provide: an operating statement summarizing meetings or hearings held, including meetings minutes, subjects addressed, decisions rendered, applications considered and their disposition, rules or regulations promulgated, studies conducted, policies and plans developed, approved, or modified, and programs administered or initiated; a consolidated financial statement of all funds received and expended including the source of the funds, a listing of any staff supported by these funds, and a summary of any clerical, administrative or technical support received; a summary of performance during the previous fiscal year including accomplishments, shortcomings and remedies; a synopsis of hearings, complaints, suspensions, or other legal matters related to the authority of the counsel; a summary of any training courses held pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; a briefing on anticipated activities in the upcoming fiscal year, and findings and recommendations for improvements. The report shall be posted electronically on the websites of the general assembly and the secretary of state pursuant to the provisions of § 42-20-8.2. The director of the department of transportation shall be responsible for the enforcement of the provisions of this subsection.

(d) To conduct a training course for newly appointed and qualified members within six (6) months of their qualification or designation. The course shall be developed by the chair of the commission, be approved by the commission, and be conducted by the chair of the commission. The commission may approve the use of any commission and/or staff members and/or individuals to assist with training. The training course shall include instruction in the following areas: the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38; and the commissions rules and regulations. The director of the department of transportation shall, within ninety (90) days of the effective date of this act [June 16, 2006], prepare and disseminate training materials relating to the provisions of chapter 46 of title 42, chapter 14 of title 36, and chapter 2 of title 38.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-6
§ 31-24-6. Height of head lamps.
Status: in_force

Every head lamp upon every motor vehicle, including every motorcycle and motor-driven cycle, shall be located at a height measured from the center of the head lamp of not more than fifty-four inches (54") nor less than twenty-four inches (24") to be measured as set forth in § 31-24-3. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-25-27.3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-25 / Section 31-25-27.3
§ 31-25-27.3. Weight restrictions on Route 114  Johnston.
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 Hopkins Avenue.

(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, and marked school transportation vehicles.

(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) as a through route. 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 § 31-19-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-15
§ 31-19-15. Left turns.
Status: in_force

(a) A person riding a bicycle intending to turn left shall, unless he or she complies with the provisions of § 31-16-2, approach the turn in a position as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway. The turn shall be made at a position as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed after turning.

(b) If the turn is made at a location where traffic movement is controlled by a police officer or by a traffic-control signal, the bicyclist may not proceed after crossing the intersecting roadway until a signal to proceed is given to traffic moving in the appropriate direction on the roadway along which the bicyclist intends to proceed. At all other locations, after turning and before crossing the roadway he or she is leaving, the bicyclist must yield the right-of-way to all traffic approaching on that roadway.

(c) The state highway commission and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic-control devices to be placed and require and direct that a specific course be traveled by turning bicycles, and when the devices are so placed, no person shall turn a bicycle other than as directed and required by the devices.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-13 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-13
§ 31-23-13. Muffler.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle shall at all times be equipped with a muffler in good working order and in constant operation to prevent excessive or unusual noise and annoying smoke. No person shall use a muffler cutout, bypass, or similar device upon a motor vehicle on a highway. Any exhaust system shall be deemed defective if any changes, modifications, alterations, deletions, or adjustments have been made which would cause the exhaust system to generate a higher or louder sound level than would be generated by the exhaust system customarily installed by the manufacturer as original equipment. The defective exhaust system shall be replaced or repaired to restore the exhaust system to the performance specifications of the original equipment. Failure to replace or restore the exhaust system as required in this section within five (5) days shall be deemed a civil violation and violators are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-53-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-53 / Section 31-53-6
§ 31-53-6. Accidents  Police authorities report.
Status: in_force

Any automobile vehicle accident report that is filed by the appropriate law enforcement agency shall clearly contain a notation as to whether the automobiles airbag or inflatable restraint system had been deployed in the accident.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-85 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-85
§ 31-3-85. Special plate for the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for passenger vehicles based upon the not-for-profit entity, the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation, for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile, commercial vehicle having a gross weight of ten thousand pounds (10,000 lbs.) or less, or combination vehicle.

(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. The administrator shall be authorized to retain newly issued plate numbers, at his or her discretion, for the purpose of conducting auctions of the right to use and display those numbers under such terms and conditions as the administrator may permit.

Auction proceeds shall be apportioned and distributed for charitable purposes, in the discretion of the administrator, in accordance with such agreements as may be entered into with those entities holding ownership rights to the logos. The administrator is hereby authorized to enter into agreements for the use of logos on Rhode Island registration plates.

(c) The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island State Police.

(d) New England Patriots Charitable Foundation plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) plates with respect to each plate type authorized pursuant to this section. New England Patriots Charitable Foundation plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for the production until the minimum order has been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division. Subsequent New England Patriots Charitable Foundation plate orders will be handled by the division of motor vehicles.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, 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, New England Patriots Charitable 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 New England Patriots Charitable Foundation in furtherance of its mission of assisting the youth and families of New England through donations that foster cultural diversity, education, family, and health.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the New England Patriots Charitable Foundation.

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

(j) The New England Patriots Charitable 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 New England Patriots Charitable Foundation plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-14
§ 31-44-14. Resident owned mobile home parks  Record keeping.
Status: in_force

(a) Resident owned mobile home parks shall maintain a copy of each of the following, where applicable, which shall constitute the official records of the association:

(1) The plans, permits, warranties, and other items provided by the developer;

(2) A photocopy of the resident association documents;

(3) A copy of the current rules of the association;

(4) A book or books containing the minutes as well as any tape recordings, if any, of all meetings of the association, of the board of directors, and of the unit owners, which minutes and tapes shall be retained for a period of not less than seven (7) years. Any tape recordings shall not be considered an official record, and these tapes shall be available to any member to be duplicated at the members cost and expense. The duplication cost shall not exceed ten dollars ($10.00) per tape;

(5) A current roster of all unit owners and their mailing addresses, unit identification, and, if known, telephone numbers; street address;

(6) All current insurance policies of the association, including a fiduciary bond of the association, and their agents;

(7) A current copy of any management agreement, lease, or other contract to which the association is a party or under which the association or the unit owners have an obligation or responsibility;

(8) Bills of sale or transfer for all property owned by the association;

(9) Accounting records for the association and separate accounting records for each unit it operates, according to good accounting practices in accordance with generally acceptable accounting principles. All accounting records shall be maintained for a period of not less than seven (7) years:

(i) Accurate, itemized, and detailed records of all receipts and expenditures.

(ii) A current account and a monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly statement of the account for each unit designating the name of the unit owner, the due date and amount of each assessment, the amount paid upon the account, and the balance due.

(iii) All audits, reviews, accounting statements, and financial reports of the association.

(iv) All contracts for work to be performed. Bids for work to be performed shall also be considered official records and shall be maintained for a period of one year.

(10) Ballots, sign-in sheets, voting proxies, and all other papers relating to elections, which shall be maintained for a period of one year from the date of the meeting to which the document relates;

(11) All rental records where the association is acting as agent for the rental unit.

(b) The official records of the association shall be maintained in the city or town in which the resident owned association operates.

(c) The official records of the association shall be open to inspection by any association member or the authorized representative of a member at all reasonable times. Failure to permit inspection of the association records as provided in this section entitles any person prevailing in an enforcement action to recover reasonable attorneys fees from the person in control of the records who, directly or indirectly, knowingly denies access to the records for inspection. The right to inspect the records includes the right to make or obtain copies, at the reasonable expense, if any, of the association member.

(d) Insurance. The association shall use its best efforts to obtain and maintain adequate insurance to protect the association property.

(e) Financial report. Within sixty (60) days following the end of the fiscal or calendar year or annually on a date otherwise provided in the bylaws of the association, the board of directors of the association shall mail or furnish to each unit owner a complete financial report of actual receipts and expenditures for the previous twelve (12) months. The report shall show the amounts of receipts by accounts and receipt classification and shall show the amounts of expenses by accounts and classification including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) Cost for security;

(2) Professional and management fees and expenses;

(3) Taxes;

(4) Costs of recreation facilities;

(5) Expenses for refuse collection and utilities;

(6) Expenses for lawn care;

(7) Costs for building maintenance and repair;

(8) Insurance costs;

(9) Administrative and salary expenses;

(10) General reserves, maintenance reserves, and depreciation reserves;

(11) Aging of all rental income and accounts payable.

(f) Elections. The members of the resident owned mobile home park, responsible for tabulating votes cast in any election held by the resident owned mobile home park, shall do so at a time and place open for viewing by the members of the resident owned park, within the city or town in which the resident owned association operates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-42-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-42 / Section 31-42-12
§ 31-42-12. City of Pawtucket  Designee.
Status: in_force

In the city of Pawtucket, the police department or its designee shall have the authority to carry out the provisions of this chapter.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-36-13.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-36 / Section 31-36-13.1
§ 31-36-13.1. Other exemptions.
Status: in_force

Any distributor located in the town of New Shoreham shall be exempt at the point of purchase from the payment of any tax on fuel sold by the distributor directly, not at a filling station, to a person or entity who may file for a refund or reimbursement of motor fuel tax pursuant to § 31-36-15.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-11-10 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-11 / Section 31-11-10
§ 31-11-10. Reinstatement after revocation or suspension.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person whose license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways has been revoked or suspended shall not be entitled to have a license or privilege renewed or restored unless the revocation or suspension was for a cause which has been removed. After the expiration of the term of the revocation or suspension he or she may apply to be restored to his or her right to drive, but the division of motor vehicles shall not grant the application unless and until it is satisfied after investigation of the driving ability of the person that it will be safe to license him or her to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways and it has received a reinstatement fee of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00). The reinstatement fee and assessment fee shall not be required by any person whose license was suspended on the basis of physical or mental fitness and who has later been declared competent to operate a motor vehicle.

(b) Any person whose license has been suspended on the basis of physical or mental fitness shall have the right to request review at any time of the suspension determination in accordance with the hearing procedures of § 31-11-7(d)  (f).

(c) If the license or privilege to drive a motor vehicle on the public highways has been revoked or suspended as a result of a violation of §§ 31-27-2, 31-27-2.1, 31-27-2.2 or 31-27-2.6 the reinstatement fee shall be three hundred and fifty ($350.00) dollars.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-18-18 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-18 / Section 31-18-18
§ 31-18-18. Right-of-way on sidewalks.
Status: in_force

The driver of a vehicle crossing a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to all traffic proceeding along and upon the sidewalk. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-37-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-37 / Section 31-37-9
§ 31-37-9. Peddlers records of purchases and sales.
Status: in_force

(a) Every peddler, at its principal place of business within the state of Rhode Island, shall keep a record of the number of gallons of fuels purchased, sold, and used by the peddler, from whom purchased and the date of the purchases, to whom sold and the amount and date of the sales. These records shall be preserved for three (3) years and shall be open to the inspection of the investigators and examiners of division of taxation upon demand.

(b) Every peddler shall keep, at its principal place of business, within the state of Rhode Island, for a period of three (3) years, a complete record of the purchases and sales of fuels. This record must contain the names and addresses of those from whom the peddler has purchased the fuels, and the names and addresses of those to whom the peddler has sold the fuels.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-26-6 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-26 / Section 31-26-6
§ 31-26-6. Drivers required to make written reports.
Status: in_force

The driver of a vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury to or death of any person or in which the damage to property of any one person, including himself or herself, in excess of one thousand dollars ($1000) is sustained, shall, within twenty-one (21) days after the accident, forward a written report of the accident to the division of motor vehicles, on forms provided by the division of motor vehicles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-34-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-34 / Section 31-34-9
§ 31-34-9. Vehicles with salvage title.
Status: in_force

No rental company shall utilize any vehicle with a salvage title as a rental vehicle.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-22 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-32 / Section 31-32-22
§ 31-32-22. Certificate furnished by nonresident as proof.
Status: in_force

A nonresident may give proof of financial responsibility by filing with the division of motor vehicles a written certificate or certificate of an insurance carrier authorized to transact business in the state in which the vehicle, or vehicles, owned by the nonresident is registered, or in the state in which the nonresident resides, if he or she does not own a vehicle, provided the certificate otherwise conforms with the provisions of this chapter. The division of motor vehicles shall accept the certificate upon condition that the insurance carrier complies with the following provisions with respect to the policies so certified.

(1) The insurance carrier shall execute a power of attorney authorizing the division of motor vehicles to accept service on its behalf of notice or process in any action arising out of a motor vehicle accident in this state.

(2) The insurance carrier shall agree in writing that the policies shall be deemed to conform with the laws of this state relating to the terms of motor vehicle liability policies issued in it.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-113 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-113
§ 31-3-113. Special plate for Operation Stand Down RI.
Status: in_force

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available special motor vehicle registration plates for passenger vehicles based upon the not-for-profit entity Operation Stand Down RI.

(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) Operation Stand Down RI motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) Operation Stand Down RI plates shall be subject to a minimum prepaid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates per plate type including, but not limited to, passenger and commercial. Operation Stand Down RI plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by Operation Stand Down RI and shall not be submitted to the division of motor vehicles for production until the minimum order has been met and the proper paperwork submitted to the division. Subsequent Operation Stand Down RI plate orders will be handled by the division of motor vehicles.

(e) The administrator of motor vehicles shall develop application forms, 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, Operation Stand Down RI 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 Operation Stand Down RI in furtherance of its mission to support our troops: in helping struggling and homeless veterans by offering housing and supportive services necessary to their well-being.

(h) A ten-dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to Operation Stand Down RI.

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

(j) Operation Stand Down RI will be required to submit an annual accounting report before such monies are distributed.

(k) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of Operation Stand Down RI plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-26 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-26
§ 31-1-26. Safety zone.
Status: in_force

Safety zone means the area or space officially set apart within a roadway for the exclusive use of pedestrians, and which is protected or is marked or indicated by adequate signs to be plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-102 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-102
§ 31-3-102. Special plate for the Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins Foundation. The plates shall be designed to reference The Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins Foundation motor vehicle plates shall be the same size as regular motor vehicle plates and shall be designed by the Boston Bruins Foundation, in conjunction with the division of motor vehicles, with design approval by the Rhode Island state police.

(d) The Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins Foundation plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order(s) requirements are met. The initial order will be handled by the Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins 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.

(h) A ten dollar ($10.00) surcharge for subsequent registration renewals shall be allocated to the Boston Bruins Foundation.

(i) In consideration of the receipt of funds from the registration of Boston Bruins Foundation license plate, the foundation must use any Rhode Island sources funds in, and for the benefit of, Rhode Island-based charitable organizations.

(j) The Boston Bruins 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 Boston Bruins Foundation plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-2-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-2 / Section 31-2-9
§ 31-2-9. Certified copies of licenses, applications and certificates.
Status: in_force

The administrator and any officers of the division of motor vehicles that he or she may designate are authorized to prepare under the seal of the division of motor vehicles and deliver upon request a certified copy of the application for operators license or registration, or operators license or registration, charging a fee of ten dollars ($10.00) for each document so authenticated, and every such certified copy shall be admissible in any proceeding in any court in like manner as the original.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-21-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-21 / Section 31-21-5
§ 31-21-5. Unauthorized movement of vehicle into prohibited area.
Status: in_force

No person shall move a vehicle not lawfully under his or her control into any prohibited area or away from a curb to a distance that is unlawful.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-11
§ 31-22-11. Inspection of school buses.
Status: in_force

(a) The division of motor vehicles shall inspect or cause to be inspected all school buses used for the transportation of school children as defined in § 31-1-3 at least twice throughout the year. Both of the inspections are to be done at a state certified facility on a semiannual scheduled basis. These inspections will be known as tear down inspections that will include pulling wheels at least once each year if the school bus is equipped with drum brakes and any other work deemed necessary by the state employed or state certified inspectors. Reports of the inspections shall be made in writing and shall be filed with the inspection division of the department of revenue, and the reports shall be available at no cost for public inspection during usual business hours of the division. In the event that a school bus does not pass an inspection and a re-inspection is required, the division of motor vehicles shall impose a fee of one hundred dollars ($100) for each re-inspection.

(b) Upon receipt of the report, the inspection division shall immediately forward a copy to the registered owner and to the superintendent and school committee of the school district for which the school bus transports children.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-16
§ 31-19-16. Bicycle identifying number.
Status: in_force

No person engaged in the business of selling bicycles at retail shall sell any bicycle unless the bicycle has an identifying number permanently stamped or cast on its frame.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-32 / Section 31-32-3
§ 31-32-3. Definitions.
Status: in_force

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter for the purpose of this chapter, have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section:

(1) Judgment means any judgment which shall have become final by expiration without appeal of the time within which an appeal might have been perfected, or by final affirmation on appeal, rendered by a court of competent jurisdiction of any state or of the United States, upon a cause of action arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of any vehicle of a type subject to registration under the laws of this state, for damages, including damages for care and loss of services, because of bodily injury to or death of any person, or for damages because of injury to or destruction of property, including the loss of use of it, or upon a cause of action on an agreement of settlement for the damages.

(2) State means any state, territory, or possession of the United States, the District of Columbia, or any province of the Dominion of Canada.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-16 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-16
§ 31-1-16. Administrator and division.
Status: in_force

(a) Administrator means the administrator of the division of motor vehicles of this state.

(b) Division means the division of motor vehicles within the department of revenue of this state acting directly or through its authorized officers and agents.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-59 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-59
§ 31-3-59. House Emeritus  Irving Levin.
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 representative Irving Levin. This plate is to bear the identification Representative Emeritus along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Irving Levin so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-35-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-35 / Section 31-35-1
§ 31-35-1. Ordinances requiring theft and damage insurance coverage.
Status: in_force

Each city and town in this state is authorized and empowered to pass ordinances requiring every person, firm, or corporation engaged in the business of parking motor vehicles on outdoor parking lots to take out a blanket insurance, by the terms of which any motor vehicle owner, whose motor vehicle has been left in the outdoor parking lot, in the event of theft of or damage to the motor vehicle, may be recompensed from the insurance for the theft or damages.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-25.3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-25.3
§ 31-3-25.3. Issuance of boat dealers plates.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall issue special boat dealers plates as applied for, which shall bear the following: boat dealer. The boat dealer plates shall be used only on boat trailers used by the boat dealer in the course of his or her business. With respect to trailers, the provisions of this chapter regarding application for, operation with, and display of dealers plates shall apply to boat dealers plates. Without limiting the general applicability of the preceding provisions, §§ 31-3-40 and 31-4-3 shall apply to boat dealers with respect to trailers. The plates shall be issued annually at a charge of twelve dollars and fifty cents ($12.50) per plate.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-5 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-5
§ 31-3-5. Grounds for refusal of registration.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall refuse registration or any transfer of registration upon any of the following grounds:

(1) That the application contains any false or fraudulent statement, or that the applicant has failed to furnish required information, or reasonable additional information requested by the division of motor vehicles, or that the applicant is not entitled to the issuance of registration of the vehicle under chapters 3  9 of this title;

(2) That the vehicle is mechanically unfit or unsafe to be operated upon the highways;

(3) That the division of motor vehicles has reasonable ground to believe that the vehicle is a stolen or embezzled vehicle, or that the granting of registration would constitute a fraud against the rightful owner;

(4) That the registration of the vehicle stands suspended or revoked for any reason as provided in the motor vehicle laws of this state;

(5) That the vehicle has been reported by any city or town to the division of motor vehicles as having unpaid fines in the aggregate amount of two hundred dollars ($200) or more, including any and all interest, penalties, or other monetary amount that may be imposed for failure to pay the fines by a specified date; provided, the registration shall be issued upon presentation of proof of payment of the outstanding fines, including any and all interest, penalties, or other monetary amount owed to the cities or towns reporting the unpaid fines. When the division of motor vehicles denies a registration to any person pursuant to this subsection, the city or town requesting the denial of registration shall add a five-dollar ($5.00) fee to the aggregate value of the sum of the fines and, upon payment, shall transmit the fee to the division of motor vehicles. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any vehicle owned by a rental company, as defined in § 31-34.1-1;

(6) That the vehicle does not comply with regulations promulgated pursuant to § 23-23-5(18);

(7) That the vehicle does not comply with the provisions of chapter 47.1 of this title and any rules and regulations promulgated under that chapter;

(8) That a 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;

(9) That the registered owner of a vehicle failed to pay the required toll amounts, administrative fees, and fines as prescribed in § 24-12-37; or

(10) That the vehicle is a Kei car or Kei truck. Provided, however, that the registrant of any Kei car or Kei truck which was validly registered prior to June 1, 2024, shall not be denied renewal of that registration based solely on the vehicle type; and further, provided that, any such registrations shall not be permitted to be transferred. Every person lawfully operating a Kei car or Kei truck shall have the right to use the public highways in the state including any state highway, through highway, limited-access highway or public highway or roadway with a posted speed limit of thirty-five miles per hour (35 m.p.h.) or less. Nothing in this subsection, however, shall be construed to prohibit a Kei car or Kei truck from crossing a public highway at an intersection where the public highway to be crossed has a posted speed limit between thirty-five miles per hour (35 m.p.h.) and forty-five miles per hour (45 m.p.h.); provided the public highway the Kei car or Kei truck is traveling on and the public highway the Kei car or Kei truck is crossing the intersection toward both have a speed limit no higher than thirty-five miles per hour (35 m.p.h.) and the intersection is controlled by traffic signals or stop signs.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-12-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-12 / Section 31-12-12
§ 31-12-12. Powers of local authorities.
Status: in_force

(a) The provisions of chapters 12  27 of this title shall not be deemed to prevent local authorities with respect to streets and highways under their jurisdiction and within the reasonable exercise of the police power from:

(1) Regulating the standing or parking of vehicles;

(2) Regulating traffic by means of police officers or traffic control signals;

(3) Regulating or prohibiting processions or assemblages on the highways;

(4) Designating particular highways as one-way highways and requiring that all vehicles on them be moved in one specific direction;

(5) Regulating the speed of vehicles in public parks;

(6) Designating any highway as a through highway and requiring that all vehicles stop before entering or crossing the highway or designating any intersection as a stop intersection and requiring all vehicles to stop at one or more entrances to the stop intersection;

(7) Restricting the use of highways as authorized in §§ 31-25-25 and 31-25-26;

(8) Regulating the operation of bicycles and requiring the registration and licensing of bicycles, including the requirement of a registration fee;

(9) Regulating or prohibiting the turning of vehicles or specified types of vehicles at intersections;

(10) Altering the prima facie speed limits as authorized by these chapters;

(11) Adopting any other traffic regulations that are specifically authorized by chapters 12  27 of this title.

(b) The city council of the city of Woonsocket is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances providing that the chief of police, or the police officers as he or she may from time to time designate, may impound, by means of a Denver boot or other immobilization device, or cause to be impounded, through the agency of a person or persons in the employ of the city of Woonsocket or the police department, or by independent contractor, any vehicle parked or standing on any part of any way under the control of the city, if in the calendar year in which the vehicle is so impounded and in the preceding calendar year, the aggregate of five (5) or more notices of violation of any ordinances adopted for the regulation of parking of motor vehicles (whether adopted prior to or subsequent to the passage of this chapter), have been affixed to the vehicle. The ordinance shall provide for a post-impoundment hearing which shall be held between the time of impoundment and not more than seven (7) days afterwards, at which any defense may be asserted. The ordinance may impose liability for the reasonable cost of the impoundment on the owner of the vehicle, and may provide that if a vehicle is so impounded, the vehicle shall be held until all fines and charges lawfully imposed for the impoundment have been paid. The police department shall promptly mail written notice to the registered owner of the impounded vehicle, directed to the address furnished by the division of motor vehicles or comparable agency of the state in which the vehicle is registered, stating the date on which the vehicle was impounded, the location at which it was impounded, and a statement that it will be released on the payment of all fines and charges lawfully imposed for the impoundment. If, after thirty (30) days of mailing of the notice to the registered owner as provided for in this subsection, the owner has not paid all fines and charges imposed for the impounding, the vehicle so impounded shall be deemed to have been abandoned and may be disposed of in accordance with §§ 31-22-14, 31-22-15, 31-22-17, and 31-22-18, first applying the proceeds to pay all fines and charges imposed for the impoundment. Vehicles owned by the state or a political subdivision of it; by the United States or any instrumentality of it; or registered by a member of a foreign diplomatic corps or by a foreign consular officer who is a citizen of the United States and bearing a distinctive number plate or otherwise conspicuously marked as so owned or registered; and vehicles and persons described in §§ 31-28-4, 31-28-6, and 31-28-7; shall not, however, be subject to impoundment. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.

(c) The city council of the city of Warwick is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances providing that the chief of police, or the police officers as he or she may from time to time designate, may impound unregistered off-road recreational vehicles and snowmobiles that are unlawfully used on public roads and, after notice and hearing in the Warwick municipal court, may destroy such vehicles and snowmobiles so impounded. Further, the city council of the city of Warwick is authorized and empowered to enact ordinances prohibiting gasoline filling stations from selling gasoline and gasoline products to unregistered off-road recreational vehicles and snowmobiles.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-82 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-82
§ 31-3-82. Special plate for WaterFire Providence.
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 WaterFire Providence.

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

(d) WaterFire plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) plates. WaterFire 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, WaterFire 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 WaterFire Providence to assist in the fiscal needs required to keep this event free for all to enjoy, and to continue in the fostering of WaterFires presence as an asset to Rhode Islands economic growth and prosperity. The distribution to WaterFire Providence shall be placed in a restricted account and shall be paid to WaterFire Providence.

(h) WaterFire Providence will be required to submit an annual audit prepared by a certified public accountant before such monies are distributed.

(i) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of WaterFire plates.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-12 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-12
§ 31-44-12. Severability.
Status: in_force

If the provisions of this chapter or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, that invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end, the provisions of this chapter are declared to be severable.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-1
§ 31-27-1. Driving so as to endanger, resulting in death.
Status: in_force

(a) When the death of any person ensues as a proximate result of an injury received by the operation of any vehicle in reckless disregard of the safety of others, including violations of § 31-27-22, the person so operating the vehicle shall be guilty of driving so as to endanger, resulting in death.

(b) Any person charged with the commission of this offense shall upon conviction be imprisoned for not more than ten (10) years and have his or her license to operate a motor vehicle suspended for no more than five (5) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-19 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-19
§ 31-24-19. Running board courtesy lamps.
Status: in_force

Any motor vehicle may be equipped with not more than one running board courtesy lamp on each side of it which shall emit a white or amber light without glare. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-7 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-7
§ 31-10-7. Temporary drivers permit  Persons over the age of eighteen (18).
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles may in its discretion issue a temporary drivers permit to an applicant for a full operators license who has attained the age of eighteen (18). A temporary drivers permit shall permit the applicant to operate a motor vehicle while the division of motor vehicles is completing its investigation and determination of all facts relative to the applicants right to receive a full operators license. The temporary drivers permit shall be held for no less than thirty (30) days prior to the applicant being eligible to take a road test. The temporary drivers permit must be in the applicants immediate possession while operating a motor vehicle, and it shall be invalid when the applicants license has been issued or for good cause has been refused. The temporary drivers permit shall expire, unless sooner cancelled, revoked, or suspended, one year following the date of issuance, and may only be renewed for one additional year.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-10-32 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-10 / Section 31-10-32
§ 31-10-32. Notice of change of address or name.
Status: in_force

Whenever any person after applying for or receiving an operators or chauffeurs license shall move from the address named in his or her application or in the license issued to him or her, or when the name of a licensee is changed by marriage or otherwise, that person shall within ten (10) days thereafter notify the division of motor vehicles in writing of his or her old and new addresses or of his or her former and new names and of the number of any license then held by him or her. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-9-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-9 / Section 31-9-11
§ 31-9-11. Sale, purchase, or possession of keys or manipulative devices for automobiles.
Status: in_force

Any person who shall sell, offer for sale, purchase, or have in his or her possession keys or manipulative devices designed or adapted to operate the ignition switches, door locks, or trunk locks of two (2) or more motor vehicles, the ignition switches, door locks, and trunk locks of which are designed or intended to be operated with a different key or set of keys for each vehicle, and those vehicles are not owned or leased by that person or in his or her lawful possession and control, unless that person is a locksmith, a duly licensed automobile dealer, a duly licensed body repair shop, an officer or employee of an automobile club or association, or a member of a duly authorized law enforcement agency, shall be guilty of a felony.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-37 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-37
§ 31-23-37. Transporting hazardous substances.
Status: in_force

(a) For the purpose of this section, explosives and other hazardous materials is defined as those materials and substances described and classified as such by the hazardous materials regulations of the U.S. Department of Transportation (parts of the Code of Federal Regulations as prescribed under Title 18 U.S.C. §§ 831, 836, as amended).

(b) No person, corporation, or other agency shall ship in its own vehicle or tender to any carrier any shipment of explosives or other hazardous materials unless the shipments are made in full compliance with the regulations cited in subsection (a) of this section.

(c) No person, corporation, or other agency shall operate upon any highway in this state a vehicle carrying explosives or other hazardous materials unless the vehicle is in compliance in all respects with the regulations applicable to the transportation of such materials or substances cited in subsection (a) of this section.

(d)(1) Any person, corporation, or other agency convicted of violating this section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500), or imprisoned for one year, for the first offense, and shall be fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or imprisoned for one year for each subsequent offense.

(2) If death or injury results from any violation of this section, the fine shall be not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) and the period of imprisonment not more than ten (10) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-11
§ 31-3-11. Contents of registration plate.
Status: in_force

(a) Every registration plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, the name of the state of Rhode Island along the top, which may be abbreviated R.I., and the year number for which it is issued or the date of its expiration. Registration plates shall also have printed on them along the bottom the words Ocean State.

(b) The provision requiring the printing of the words Ocean State along the bottom of these plates shall only pertain to private passenger plates. Registration plates for all other plate types shall have the plate type printed on the plate along the bottom.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-77 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-77
§ 31-3-77. Adjutant General Emeritus  Reginald A. Centracchio.
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 Adjutant General of the Rhode Island National Guard, Reginald A. Centracchio.

This plate is to bear the identification Adjutant General Emeritus along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Reginald A. Centracchio so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-45-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-45 / Section 31-45-1
§ 31-45-1. Noise limits.
Status: in_force

(a) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, nor shall the owner of any vehicle allow the vehicle to be operated, at any time, or under any condition of grade, load, acceleration, or deceleration, in such a manner as to exceed the following noise limit based on a distance of fifty feet (50²) from the center of the lane of travel within the speed limit. For the purposes of this section, dbA means decibels measured with a calibrated sound level meter weighted to the A scale.

(b) In speed zones of thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph) or less, not more than eighty-six (86) dbA. In speed zones of more than thirty-five miles per hour (35 mph), not more than ninety (90) dbA.

(c) Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-9-1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-9 / Section 31-9-1
§ 31-9-1. Driving without consent of owner or lessee.
Status: in_force

Any person who drives a vehicle, not his or her own, without the consent of its owner or lessee, and with intent temporarily to deprive the owner or lessee of his or her possession of the vehicle, without intent to steal the vehicle, is guilty of a felony. The consent of the owner or lessee of a vehicle to its taking or driving shall not in any case be presumed or implied because of the owners or lessees consent on a prior occasion to the taking or driving of that vehicle by the same or a different person. Any person who assists in, or is a party or accessory to or an accomplice in any unauthorized taking or driving, is guilty of a felony. Any person convicted of a violation of this section shall be fined not more than five thousand dollars ($5,000) or imprisoned for a term of not more than five (5) years, or both.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-32-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-32 / Section 31-32-4
§ 31-32-4. Proof required under certain circumstances.
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever the license of any person is revoked pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-6, and whenever the division of motor vehicles, pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-7, suspends or revokes the license of an operator or chauffeur upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction, the division of motor vehicles shall suspend the registration of all vehicles registered in the name of the person as owner.

(b) Whenever under any other law of this state the license of any person is suspended or revoked by reason of a conviction or a forfeiture of bail, the division of motor vehicles may suspend the registration of all vehicles registered in the name of the person as owner if the administrator of the division of motor vehicles finds that the public safety so requires; provided, that:

(1) If the owner has previously given or shall immediately give and maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner, the division of motor vehicles shall not suspend the registration unless otherwise required by law.

(2) If a conviction arose out of the operation, with permission, of a vehicle owned by or leased to the United States, this state, or a municipality of it, the division of motor vehicles shall suspend or revoke the license only with respect to the operation of vehicles not so owned or leased and shall not suspend the registration of any vehicle so owned or leased.

(c)(1) Whenever the license of any person is revoked pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-6, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require that person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person or owner.

(2) Whenever the license of any person shall have been suspended for having violated any provisions of the motor vehicle laws other than those enumerated in § 31-11-6, once within a period of twenty-four (24) calendar months, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may in his or her discretion require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner. Whenever the license of any person shall have been suspended twice within a period of twenty-four (24) calendar months, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, whenever the license of any person is suspended pursuant to the provisions of § 31-27-2 or 31-27-2.1, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for three (3) years.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-19-14 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-19 / Section 31-19-14
§ 31-19-14. Turn and stop signals.
Status: in_force

(a) Except as provided in this section, a person riding a bicycle shall comply with § 31-16-5.

(b) A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet (100²) traveled by the bicycle before turning, and shall be given while the bicycle is stopped waiting to turn. A signal by hand and arm need not be given continuously if the hand is needed in control or operation of the bicycle.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-15 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-22 / Section 31-22-15
§ 31-22-15. Lien for towing and storage charges.
Status: in_force

Every licensed wrecker who shall render towing and storage services for the benefit of a motor vehicle owner shall have a lien on and may retain the possession of the motor vehicle until the charges for the towing and storage have been paid.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-3
§ 31-23-3. Farm and road machinery exempt.
Status: in_force

The provisions of this chapter and chapter 24 of this title with respect to equipment on vehicles shall not apply to farm vehicles, road machinery, road rollers, or farm tractors except as made applicable in these chapters.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-49-2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-49 / Section 31-49-2
§ 31-49-2. Certification of ignition interlock systems.
Status: in_force

The division of motor vehicles shall certify, or cause to be certified, ignition interlock systems for use in the state, and adopt rules and regulations for the certification and requirements for participation of the ignition interlock systems. All costs associated with the installation of the ignition interlock system shall be borne by the person required to install said system and the division shall charge an administrative fee of one hundred dollars ($100) to the person ordered to install said system.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-15.1 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-47 / Section 31-47-15.1
§ 31-47-15.1. Exception for seasonal vehicles.
Status: in_force

(a) Upon receipt of a signed written request for a suspension from the owner of a registered motor vehicle stating that the vehicle will not be operated upon any highway during a period of not less than thirty (30) consecutive days, the insurer of the vehicle shall suspend, to the extent requested by the owner, insurance afforded under the policy providing the security required by this chapter, for the vehicle until notified by the owner that the coverage should be reinstated. During the period of suspension only, the provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to the vehicle. If the vehicle is operated upon any highway by or with the permission of the owner during the period of suspension, the provisions of this chapter shall immediately become applicable.

(b) As used in this section, the term highway includes all roads as defined in § 31-1-23, except a private road or driveway.

(c) This section shall not apply to a motor vehicle for which proof of financial responsibility is required under the provisions of chapter 32 of this title. This section shall not apply to motorized vehicles used seasonally in the town of New Shoreham commonly referred to as mopeds.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-33 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-5 / Section 31-5-33
§ 31-5-33. Rental of motor vehicles  Licenses required.
Status: in_force

(a) No person, firm, or corporation, whether resident or nonresident, shall, without securing a license, grant a franchise or license, or continue to grant a franchise or license, to any other person, firm, or corporation to use his, her, or its name, trademark, or trade name, whether registered or unregistered, in the business of renting in this state motor vehicles for transportation of persons or property.

(b) No person, firm, or corporation, whether resident or nonresident, shall engage in this state in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles to any other person, firm, or corporation without securing a license. Any person, firm, or corporation who rents or leases more than five (5) motor vehicles in any one year shall be considered to be engaged in the business of renting or leasing motor vehicles.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of any general or public law to the contrary, the authority to issue licenses for the rental or leasing of motorized bicycles and/or motorized tricycles in the town of New Shoreham shall be vested exclusively in the town council of the town of New Shoreham, pursuant to the provisions of chapter 19.3 of this title.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-107 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-107
§ 31-3-107. Police chief emeritus  Ernest Spaziano.
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 police chief of the town of North Providence, Ernest Spaziano. This plate is to bear the identification of Police Chief Emeritus, along with an appropriate number and the plate shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Ernest Spaziano so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-50 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-50
§ 31-24-50. Trademark or name shown on equipment.
Status: in_force

No person shall have for sale, sell, or offer for sale for use upon or as a part of the equipment of a motor vehicle, trailer, or semi-trailer any lamp or device mentioned in § 31-24-49 which has been approved by the administrator of the division of motor vehicles unless the lamp or device bears on it the trademark or name under which it is approved so as to be legible when installed. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-42-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-42 / Section 31-42-3
§ 31-42-3. Notification of owner and lienholders.
Status: in_force

(a) A police department which takes into custody an abandoned motor vehicle shall notify within fifteen (15) days of it, by registered mail, return receipt requested, the last known registered owner of the motor vehicle and all lienholders of record that the vehicle has been taken into custody. The notice shall describe the year, make, model, and serial number of the abandoned motor vehicle The notice shall set forth the location of the facility where the motor vehicle is being held, inform the owner and any lienholders of their right to reclaim the motor vehicle within three (3) weeks after the date of the notice, upon payment of all towing, preservation, and storage charges resulting from placing the vehicle in custody, and state that the failure of the owner or lienholders to exercise their right to reclaim the vehicle within the time provided shall be deemed a waiver by the owner and all lienholders of all right, title, and interest in the vehicle and consent to the sale of the abandoned motor vehicle at a public auction.

(b) If the identity of the last registered owner cannot be determined, or if the registration contains no address for the owner; or if it is impossible to determine with reasonable certainty the identity and addresses of all lienholders, notice by one publication in one newspaper of general circulation in the area where the motor vehicle was abandoned shall be sufficient to meet all requirements of notice pursuant to this chapter. The notice by publication can contain multiple listings of abandoned vehicles. The notice shall be within the time requirements prescribed for notice by registered mail and shall have the same contents required for a notice by registered mail.

(c) The consequences and effect of failure to reclaim an abandoned motor vehicle shall be as set forth in a valid notice given pursuant to this section.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-50 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-50
§ 31-3-50. Chief Judge Emeritus 8  William R. Goldberg.
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 family court chief judge, William R. Goldberg. This plate is to bear the identification Chief Judge Emeritus 8 with a seal of the state thereon imprinted and shall be furnished without additional registration charge for such period of time as Judge Goldberg so desires.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-2.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-3 / Section 31-3-2.2
§ 31-3-2.2. Registration of motorcycles, motorized bicycles, and motorized tricycles.
Status: in_force

(a) Every motorcycle, motorized bicycle, and motorized tricycle owned by a resident of this state shall be subject to the registration provisions of chapters 3  9 of this title whether the motorcycle, motorized bicycle, or motorized tricycle is operated or drawn upon a highway within this state or upon private property. An electric personal assistive mobility device (EPAMD) and electric motorized bicycles shall not be required to register under this chapter; provided, however, that an EPAMD and/or electric motorized bicycles shall not be operated in this state by a person under the age of sixteen (16) years.

(b) Notwithstanding any general law to the contrary, cities and towns are empowered to enact ordinances that permit the use and regulation of electric personal assistive mobility devices (EPAMD).
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-8 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-23 / Section 31-23-8
§ 31-23-8. Horn required.
Status: in_force

Every motor vehicle when operated upon a highway shall be equipped with a horn in good working order and capable of emitting sound audible under normal conditions from a distance of not less than two hundred feet (200²). However, no horn or other warning device shall emit an unreasonably loud or harsh sound or a whistle. The driver of a motor vehicle shall when reasonably necessary to insure safe operation give audible warning with his or her horn but shall not otherwise use the horn when upon a highway. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-24-3 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-24 / Section 31-24-3
§ 31-24-3. Measurement of height of lamps.
Status: in_force

Whenever a requirement is declared in this chapter as to the mounted height of lamps or devices, it shall mean from the center of the lamp or device to the level ground upon which the vehicle stands when the vehicle is without a load.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-27-11 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-27 / Section 31-27-11
§ 31-27-11. Vehicle used as bail.
Status: in_force

Any person arrested for violating any of the provisions of this title may tender as bail a motor vehicle of which he or she is the owner, and, if the persons interest in the vehicle is of sufficient value, it may be accepted as security for the persons appearance in lieu of any other bail.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-51-2.2 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-51 / Section 31-51-2.2
§ 31-51-2.2. Stopping for school bus required  Penalty for violation.
Status: in_force

(a) Any vehicle being operated upon a street, highway, private way or private or public parking area upon meeting or overtaking from any direction any school bus on which there is in operation flashing red lights, shall stop before reaching the bus. The vehicle shall not proceed until the bus resumes motion or until the flashing lights are no longer actuated. An owner and/or operator of a motor vehicle operated in violation of this section based on evidence obtained from a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system shall, upon conviction of a violation of this section, be punished by a civil fine of not less than two hundred fifty dollars ($250) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) and/or suspension of his or her driving license for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days.

(b) A law enforcement officer authorized to issue a traffic violation summons pursuant to this title may issue a summons of a violation of this chapter based on evidence from a live digital video school bus violation detection monitoring system; provided, that the statement of testimony, or evidence provides the law enforcement officer with sufficient probable cause that a violation under this section was committed. The summons shall be in the form referred to in § 31-51-3.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-33-9 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-33 / Section 31-33-9
§ 31-33-9. Self-insurers.
Status: in_force

(a) Any person in whose name more than twenty-five (25) 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) of this section.

(b) The department of business regulation may, in its discretion, upon the application of such a person, issue a certificate of self-insurance when it is satisfied that the person is possessed, and will continue to be possessed of, the ability to pay judgment obtained against the person. The certificate may be issued authorizing a person 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 may upon reasonable grounds cancel a certificate of self-insurance. Failure to pay any judgment within thirty (30) days after the judgment shall have become final shall constitute 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 § 31-20-17 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-20 / Section 31-20-17
§ 31-20-17. Stopping for crossing guards and school bus monitors required.
Status: in_force

(a) The driver of a vehicle upon a street or highway, upon meeting or approaching from any direction a crossing guard, shall stop the vehicle before reaching the crossing guard. The driver shall not proceed until signaled to proceed by the crossing guard or until the crossing guard has completed his or her duties of aiding the pedestrian safely to the sidewalk.

(b) The driver of any vehicle upon a street or highway, upon meeting or approaching from any direction a school bus monitor, shall stop the vehicle in accordance with § 31-20-12 and shall not proceed until the requirements of § 31-20-12 are met.

(c) A person convicted of a violation of this section may be punished by a fine not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300) and/or suspension of his or her driving license for a period not to exceed thirty (30) days for the first offense, and a fine not less than three hundred dollars ($300) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) and/or suspension of his or her driving license for a period of one year for each subsequent offense.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-22 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-22
§ 31-44-22. Sale price recording.
Status: in_force

Every deed presented for recording due to the sale of property, which results in the transfer in ownership of the property, shall contain or have endorsed upon it the total dollar amount of the actual sale, which shall be recorded as part of the deed. A city or town clerk may decline to accept a deed for recording if the deed is not in compliance with this section. Failure to comply with this section shall not affect the validity of any deed.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-44-4 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-44 / Section 31-44-4
§ 31-44-4. Sale of mobile and manufactured homes.
Status: in_force

(a) No owner of a mobile and manufactured home park shall deny any resident the right to sell his or her mobile and manufactured home owned by him or her while the mobile and manufactured home is in the park or require the resident to remove the mobile and manufactured home because of the sale of the home, except as provided in this section.

(b) A mobile and manufactured home park licensee, directly or indirectly engaged in the business of selling mobile and manufactured homes, may impose conditions on the rental or occupancy of a new lot, including the right to sell the first unit or impose an entrance fee on that lot.

(c) An owner of a mobile home or manufactured home remaining within the park may utilize one of the following methods in selling the home to a qualified buyer:

(1) Sell the home through his or her own individual efforts;

(2) List the home with a licensed real estate broker at a commission not to exceed ten percent (10%);

(3) List the home with park licensee at a commission not to exceed ten percent (10%).

The mobile and manufactured home commission shall provide recommendations for screening of prospective purchasers by the park licensees.

(d) No licensee shall exact a commission or fee with respect to the price realized by the resident, except as provided in this section, unless he or she has acted as agent for the resident in a sale pursuant to a written contract.

(e) No owner of a mobile and manufactured home park shall make or enforce any rules which require any resident to sell his or her mobile and manufactured home to the owner.

No owner of a mobile and manufactured home park shall make any rule or enter into a contract, which shall abrogate or limit the tenants right to place for sale signs on or in his or her mobile manufactured housing. However, the park owner may by rule or contract provision impose reasonable limitations as to size, quality registration of the signs, requirements that the posting of the signs be pursuant to bona fide efforts to sell, and removal when the home is no longer being offered for sale. No limitation as to size or quality shall restrict the use of painted or printed signs which are two feet (2²) by two feet (2²) or less in size and which contains no more than for sale, address and phone number.

(f) An owner may refuse to sell a mobile and manufactured home, allow a mobile and manufactured home to remain in the park, or to approve entry to the mobile and manufactured home park for good cause. For the purpose of this section, good cause means a reasonable cause for the owner to believe:

(1) That the purchaser will not meet the entry requirements for the park and the entry requirements are equally applied by the owner to all purchasers and prospective residents;

(2) That the purchaser intends to utilize that purchased mobile and manufactured home for an illegal purpose or for any purpose that would disturb the quiet enjoyment of the other residents of the park;

(3) That the purchaser is or will be financially unable to pay the rent for the mobile and manufactured home space or lot upon which the purchased mobile and manufactured home is located;

(4) An owner may require the removal of a mobile home being sold whose age and condition does not meet the standards of mobile homes in the park; or

(5) No owner or operator of a mobile and manufactured home park shall require a mobile or manufactured home at the time of sale or foreclosure, which is safe, sanitary, and in conformance with aesthetic standards, to be removed from the park; provided that this clause (5) shall not apply where the owner or operator has initiated the foreclosure as mortgagee.

(6) Any resident or prospective resident who is aggrieved pursuant to this subsection, shall have the right to petition the director for a hearing within twenty (20) days of the alleged violation by the owner. Said hearing shall occur within thirty (30) days from the receipt of said petition. The director or his or her designee shall take all reasonable action to effectuate prompt resolution of said claim and shall render a decision within fifteen (15) days of the conclusion of said hearing.

(g) A mobile and manufactured home shall be presumed to be safe if it is established that the mobile and manufactured home was constructed to any nationally recognized building or construction code or standard. Failure to meet any standard or code shall raise no presumption that the mobile manufactured home is unsafe; nor may the failure be used as a reason for withholding approval of an on site sale.

(h) The mobile and manufactured home park owner shall have the burden of showing that a mobile and manufactured home is unsafe, unsanitary, or fails to meet the aesthetic standards of the development. No aesthetic standard shall be applied against a mobile and manufactured home if the standard relates to physical characteristics, such as size, original construction materials, or color which cannot be changed without undue hardship to the tenant.

(i) Any homeowner wishing to sell his or her home must request in writing a statement of the park owners intentions regarding the conditions of the dwelling. Within ten (10) days of the receipt of the request of the homeowner for the park owners intentions, the park owner must approve the homes condition for resale or deliver a written statement specifying ways in which the home is not safe, sanitary, or in conformance with aesthetic standards. Failure of the park owner to respond within ten (10) days shall be deemed approval of the homes condition for resale.

(j) In the event of resale or resiting of a mobile and manufactured home, the local building official in the city or town where the mobile and manufactured home is to be located shall, upon the request of either party, inspect the unit and shall issue a certificate of approval in the case of an on site sale or a certificate of occupancy in the case of resiting, to the owner of the unit, provided the authority finds the unit safe for human habitation and the site meets local zoning requirements. A fee of not more than thirty dollars ($30.00) may be charged for the inspection by building officials.

(k) No licensee shall discriminate in the treatment of tenants of mobile and manufactured homes as the result of the sale of the home, whether the tenant is the tenant prior or subsequent to the sale.

(l) Every person who sells a mobile and/or manufactured home shall warrant to the buyer that the home is free and clear of all liens and if the seller violates the warranty, then the seller shall be strictly liable to the buyer in damages.

(m) Every person who sells a mobile and/or manufactured home in this state which will be located at a mobile or manufactured home park in this state and retains a secured interest in the mobile and/or manufactured home shall file a notice of the lien with the recorder of deeds of the city or town within which the park is located as allowed by the provisions of §34-13-8 and with the uniform commercial code division of the department of state.

(n) Prior to the execution of a purchase and sale agreement, every owner of a mobile and manufactured home park, shall disclose to the prospective purchaser the rental history for the preceding three (3) years of the land on which the home will be located.

(o) The owner of a mobile and manufactured home park shall not require the purchaser to provide the names of more than three (3) references from whom the park owner can seek information concerning the behavior and financial reliability of the purchaser; nor shall the purchaser be required to obtain a written report from any reference; the park owner shall not require the purchaser to submit copies of any personal income tax returns in order to obtain approval for residency in the park. However, the park owner may require the purchaser to document the amount and source of his or her gross monthly income or means of financial support. If the park owner or management rejects a purchaser as a prospective homeowner, the ownership or management shall inform the selling homeowner in writing no later than ten (10) days of its reasons for the rejection. If the approval of a purchaser is withheld for any reason other than those stated in these articles, the park owner or management may be held liable for all damages proximately resulting in it.

(p) The park owner or management may require the right of prior approval of a purchaser of a mobile and manufactured home that will remain in the park and that the selling homeowner or his or her agent give notice of the sale to the park owner or management before the close of the sale. Approval cannot be withheld if the purchaser has the financial ability to pay the rent and charges of the park unless the park owner or management reasonably determines that, based on the purchasers prior tenancies, he or she will not comply with the rules and regulations of the park.

(q) If the park owner or management collects a fee or charge from a prospective purchaser of a mobile and manufactured home in order to obtain a financial report or credit rating, the full amount of the fee or charge shall be credited toward payment of the first months rent for that mobile and manufactured home purchaser.

(r) If, for whatever reason, the prospective purchaser is rejected by the park owner or management, the park owner or management shall refund to the prospective purchaser the full amount of that fee or charge within thirty (30) days from the date of rejection. If the prospective purchaser is approved by the park owner or management, but, for whatever reason, the prospective purchaser elects not to purchase the mobile or manufactured home, the park owner or management may retain the fee, or a portion of it, to defray its administrative costs under this section.

(s) No owner or operator of a mobile and manufactured home park shall require any person as a precondition to renting, leasing, or otherwise occupying a space for mobile and manufactured housing in a mobile and manufactured home park to pay any fee of any kind, unless services are actually rendered. The park owner or management shall not perform any service unless so requested in writing.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-1-27 — RI Code / Title 31 / Chapter 31-1 / Section 31-1-27
§ 31-1-27. Business and residence districts.
Status: in_force

(a) Business district means the territory contiguous to and including a highway when within any six hundred feet (600²) along that highway there are buildings in use for business or industrial purposes, including but not limited to hotels, banks or office buildings, railroad stations, and public buildings which occupy at least three hundred feet (300²) of frontage on one side or three hundred feet (300²) collectively on both sides of the highway.

(b) Residence district means the territory, contiguous to and including a highway but not comprising a business district, when for a distance of three hundred feet (300²) or more the property is in the main improved with residences or residences and buildings in use for business.