reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-10.4 - Driver Privilege Cards and Permits › Section 31-10.4-5. - Definitions.

§ 31-10.4-5. Definitions.
For purposes of this chapter:
(1)
“Primary proof of identity document” means any of the following documents that bear the applicant’s legal name and date of birth:
(i)
A valid foreign passport issued by an applicant’s country of citizenship that is unexpired or expired for less than five (5) years;
(ii)
A valid, unexpired consular identification document issued by an applicant’s country of citizenship;
(iii)
An employment authorization document;
(iv)
A refugee travel document (I-571);
(v)
A valid driver’s license issued by a state of the United States with the applicant’s photograph, signature, and date of birth that is unexpired or expired for less than five (5) years; or
(vi)
Any other document sufficient to prove the applicant’s identity as determined by the division of motor vehicles.
(2)
“Secondary proof of identity document” means any of the following documents that bear the applicant’s legal name:
(i)
A valid driver privilege card or state identification card issued by a state or territory of the United States that is unexpired or expired for less than five (5) years;
(ii)
An original or certified copy of a foreign birth certificate;
(iii)
A foreign driver’s license;
(iv)
A valid foreign national identification card;
(v)
A marriage certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States;
(vi)
A divorce decree issued by a state or territory of the United States;
(vii)
A court order for adoption, name change or gender change issued by a court of the United States or a court of a state of the United States that contains a court seal;
(viii)
A U.S. permit to Reenter Travel Document (I-327);
(ix)
A USCIS form I-797;
(x)
A certified copy of school records or a school transcript issued by a school accredited by a state, jurisdiction, or territory of the United States;
(xi)
A U.S. Merchant Mariners Card;
(xii)
A U.S. Selective Service Card;
(xiii)
A U.S. Military DD214 or DD256;
(xiv)
A Veteran Administration Identification card with photograph;
(xv)
A Transportation Workers Identification Credential;
(xvi)
A U.S. Active Duty/Retiree/Reservist/Dependent Military ID card (DD-2 or Common Access card);
(xvii)
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection FAST card;
(xviii)
An individual taxpayer identification number assignment letter; or
(xix)
Any other document sufficient to prove the applicant’s identity as determined by the division of motor vehicles.
(3)
Any primary proof of identity document or secondary proof of identity document that is in a language other than English shall be accompanied by a certified English translation of such document. Proof of change to the name contained on the applicant’s primary proof of identity document or secondary proof of identity document must be demonstrated with a document issued by an authorized government agency.
History of Section.
P.L. 2022, ch. 241, § 1, effective July 1, 2023; P.L. 2022, ch. 242, § 1, effective July 1, 2023.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-1. - Authority of division of motor vehicles to cancel license.

§ 31-11-1. Authority of division of motor vehicles to cancel license.
(a)
The division of motor vehicles is authorized to cancel any operator’s or chauffeur’s license upon determining that the licensee was not entitled to its issuance pursuant to this title or that the licensee failed to give the required or correct information in his or her application, or committed any fraud in making the application.
(b)
Upon the cancellation, the licensee must surrender the cancelled license to the division of motor vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-10; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-1; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-2. - Driving privileges of nonresidents.

§ 31-11-2. Driving privileges of nonresidents.
(a)
The privilege of driving a motor vehicle on the highways of this state given to a nonresident pursuant to this title shall be subject to suspension or revocation by the division of motor vehicles in the same manner and for the same cause as an operator’s or chauffeur’s license issued pursuant to this title may be suspended or revoked.
(b)
The division of motor vehicles is further authorized, upon receiving a record of the conviction in this state of a nonresident driver of a motor vehicle of any offense under the motor vehicle laws of this state, to forward a certified copy of the record to the motor vehicle administrator in the state where the convicted person is a resident.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-11; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-2; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-3. - Resident’s conviction in another state.

§ 31-11-3. Resident’s conviction in another state.
The division of motor vehicles is authorized to suspend or revoke the license of any resident of this state or the privilege of a nonresident to drive a motor vehicle in this state upon receiving notice of the conviction of the person in another state of an offense in that state which, if committed in this state, would be grounds for the suspension or revocation of the license of an operator or chauffeur.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-13; P.L. 1959, (s. s.), ch. 190, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-3; P.L. 1962, ch. 204 § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-4. - Seizure of license in possession of unauthorized person.

§ 31-11-4. Seizure of license in possession of unauthorized person.
The license certificate issued under chapter 10 of this title is nontransferable, and if found in the possession of any person other than the licensee may be seized immediately by any proper officer and shall be returned by the officer immediately to the division of motor vehicles. The seized license certificate shall immediately expire.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-16; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-4; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-5. - Abstracts of court records — Recommendations of judge.

§ 31-11-5. Abstracts of court records — Recommendations of judge.
A full record shall be kept by every court in this state of every case in which a person is charged with violation of any provision of this title, or any act relative to motor vehicles, or to the operation of the vehicles. An abstract of the record shall be sent by the court to the division of motor vehicles within ten (10) days of the time when the case is disposed of. The abstract shall be made upon forms prepared by the division of motor vehicles and shall include all necessary information as to the parties to the cause, the nature of the offense, the date of the hearing, the plea, the decision, the judgment, and the result, and every abstract shall be certified by the clerk of the court. The division of motor vehicles shall keep the records and they shall be open to the public inspection during the business hours of the division of motor vehicles. The judge of any court in the state may, in his or her discretion, or upon the request of the division of motor vehicles or its agents, furnish to the division of motor vehicles the details of cases which have been heard before the court; and the judge may make an order to the division of motor vehicles as to the suspension of the license of the defendant in cases as he or she may deem necessary. The order shall be binding on the division of motor vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-14; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-5; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 494, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-6. - Offenses resulting in mandatory revocation of license.

§ 31-11-6. Offenses resulting in mandatory revocation of license.
The license of any chauffeur or operator shall be immediately revoked upon receipt by the division of motor vehicles of a record of the operator’s or chauffeur’s final conviction for any of the following offenses and the term of revocation shall be for the periods enumerated:
(1)
Manslaughter resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle, or operating so as to endanger resulting in death, three (3) years;
(2)
Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of a narcotic drug as defined in chapter 28 of title 21, which renders him or her incapable of safely driving a motor vehicle, one year;
(3)
Driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of intoxicating liquor, the period of time, if any, as may be ordered in the final sentence imposed by a court having jurisdiction to impose the sentence;
(4)
Any felony in the commission of which a motor vehicle is used, eighteen (18) months;
(5)
Failure to stop and render aid as required under the laws of this state in the event of a motor vehicle accident resulting in the death or personal injury of another, two (2) years;
(6)
Perjury or the making of a false affidavit or statement under oath to the division of motor vehicles under any other law relating to the ownership or operation of motor vehicles, two (2) years;
(7)
Conviction, or forfeiture of bail not vacated, upon three (3) charges of reckless driving committed within a period of twelve (12) months, three (3) years;
(8)
Conviction of altered or fraudulent license used to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages, three (3) months.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-15; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-6; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1965, ch. 180, § 1; P.L. 1974, ch. 120, § 1; P.L. 1980, ch. 321, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-8. - Recommendation of court — Violation of § 31-27-4.

§ 31-11-8. Recommendation of court — Violation of § 31-27-4.
(a)
The division of motor vehicles shall suspend or revoke the license of a juvenile to operate a motor vehicle whenever the family court shall recommend the suspension or revocation, for any period of time as shall be recommended by the family court.
(b)
The license of any chauffeur or operator of a motor vehicle shall be suspended by the division of motor vehicles for a period fixed by any court of the state, not exceeding six (6) months, after final conviction for willfully evading or attempting to evade an order to stop by a uniformed police officer operating a marked police vehicle, as provided in § 31-27-4.
History of Section.
P.L. 1959 (s.s.), ch. 190, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-27; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-8; P.L. 1972, ch. 247, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-9. - Reexamination of licensees.

§ 31-11-9. Reexamination of licensees.
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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-22; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-9; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-10. - Reinstatement after revocation or suspension.

§ 31-11-10. Reinstatement after revocation or suspension.
(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.
History of Section.
P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1983, ch. 229, § 2; P.L. 1986, ch. 494, § 3; P.L. 1988, ch. 334, § 1: P.L. 1990, ch. 322, § 3; P.L. 1991, ch. 284, § 4; P.L. 1994, ch. 134, § 18; P.L. 1996, ch. 100, art. 16, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 89, § 4; P.L. 2009, ch. 5, art. 9, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-11. - Return of license certificate.

§ 31-11-11. Return of license certificate.
Upon the cancellation, suspension, or revocation of any license issued under chapter 10 of this title, the license shall be and become invalid for any purposes whatsoever and the license certificate shall be returned immediately to the division of motor vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-19; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-11; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-12. - Operation under foreign license during suspension or revocation in this state prohibited.

§ 31-11-12. Operation under foreign license during suspension or revocation in this state prohibited.
Any resident or nonresident whose operator’s or chauffeur’s license, or right or privilege to operate a motor vehicle in this state, has been suspended or revoked as provided in this chapter, shall not operate a motor vehicle in this state under a license, permit, or registration certificate issued by any other jurisdiction or otherwise during or after the suspension or revocation until he or she has been restored to the right to drive as provided in this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 9; P.L. 1952, ch. 2937, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-24; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-12; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-13. - Failure to surrender license certificate.

§ 31-11-13. Failure to surrender license certificate.
If any person whose license has been cancelled, suspended, or revoked neglects or refuses to surrender the license certificate to the division of motor vehicles immediately upon demand by it or by any of its authorized agents, the person, in addition to being subject to the other penalties provided by this title, shall thereafter be disqualified from receiving any license to operate until the license certificate is returned to the division of motor vehicles or a reasonable explanation of the circumstances is given to the division of motor vehicles. In the absence of a reasonable explanation, the person shall be disqualified from receiving a license to operate motor vehicles under the provisions of chapter 10 of this title for a period of thirty (30) days in addition to the period of the suspension or revocation.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-20; P.L. 1959 (s.s.), ch. 190, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 32-11-13; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-14. - Retention of suspended, cancelled, or revoked license — Seizure by peace officer.

§ 31-11-14. Retention of suspended, cancelled, or revoked license — Seizure by peace officer.
The division of motor vehicles upon suspending, canceling, or revoking a license shall require that the license be surrendered to and be retained by the division of motor vehicles. At the end of the period of suspension the license so surrendered may be returned to the licensee in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. If any person shall fail to return to the division of motor vehicles the license as required by the division of motor vehicles, the division of motor vehicles shall immediately direct any peace officer to secure possession of the license and to return it to the division of motor vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 8; P.L. 1954, ch. 3277, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-23; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-14; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-15. - Appeal from administrator’s order.

§ 31-11-15. Appeal from administrator’s order.
Any person aggrieved by any order of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may appeal that order to the sixth division of the district court by filing, within ten (10) days from the date of the notice to that person of the issuance of the order, a petition in that court stating the grounds upon which the appeal is taken. Upon the filing of the petition and tendering a twenty-five dollar ($25.00) filing fee, the court shall cause thirty (30) days’ notice of the pendency of the hearing to be given to the division of motor vehicles by serving the administrator of the division of motor vehicles, in the manner in which subpoenas in equity are served, with a certified copy of the petition. The petition shall follow the course of equity so far as it is applicable. Upon hearing this petition the court may review the evidence taken at a hearing, investigator’s reports, or other information upon which the administrator’s action was taken, and may in its discretion, affirm, or overrule or modify the order of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles. However, the taking of the appeal shall not operate as a stay of the order of the administrator of the division of motor vehicles from which the appeal is taken, and the order shall remain in full force and effect during the pendency of the appeal. A party aggrieved by a final order of the court may seek appellate review of the order pursuant to the procedures set forth in § 42-35-16.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 16, § 10; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-15; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-15; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1976, ch. 140, § 14; P.L. 1992, ch. 453, § 11; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 5, § 13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-16. - Unlawful use of license.

§ 31-11-16. Unlawful use of license.
It is a civil violation for any person:
(1)
To display, or cause or permit to be displayed, or have in his or her possession any cancelled, revoked, suspended, fictitious, or fraudulently altered operator’s or chauffeur’s license;
(2)
To lend his or her operator’s or chauffeur’s license to any other person or knowingly permit the use of it by another;
(3)
To display or represent as one’s own any operator’s or chauffeur’s license not issued to him or her;
(4)
To fail or refuse to surrender to the division of motor vehicles upon its lawful demand any operator’s or chauffeur’s license which has been suspended, revoked, or cancelled;
(5)
To use a false or fictitious name in any application for an operator’s or chauffeur’s license or to knowingly make a false statement or to knowingly conceal a material fact or otherwise commit a fraud in any such application;
(6)
To permit any unlawful use of an operator’s or chauffeur’s license issued to him or her; or
(7)
To do any act forbidden or fail to perform any act required by this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-1; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-16; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 6, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-17. - False swearing.

§ 31-11-17. False swearing.
Any person who makes any false affidavit, or knowingly swears or affirms falsely to any matter or thing required by the terms of this title to be sworn to or affirmed, is guilty of perjury, and upon conviction shall be punishable by fine or imprisonment as applicable to other perjuries.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-2; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-17; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-19. - Permitting child under the age of 16 to drive.

§ 31-11-19. Permitting child under the age of 16 to drive.
No person shall cause or knowingly permit his or her child or ward under the age of sixteen (16) years to drive a motor vehicle upon any highway.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-4; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-19; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-20. - Permitting unauthorized person to drive prohibited.

§ 31-11-20. Permitting unauthorized person to drive prohibited.
No person shall authorize or knowingly permit a motor vehicle owned by him or her or under his or her control to be driven upon any highway by any person who is not authorized under this title or in violation of any of the provisions of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-5; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-20; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-21. - Employment of unlicensed chauffeur prohibited.

§ 31-11-21. Employment of unlicensed chauffeur prohibited.
No person shall employ as a chauffeur of a motor vehicle any person not then licensed as provided in chapter 10 of this title.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-6; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-21; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-21.1. - Penalty for employing of unlicensed/unauthorized operator.

§ 31-11-21.1. Penalty for employing of unlicensed/unauthorized operator.
(a)
The registered owner of any school bus used for the transportation of school children shall be responsible for insuring that any person operating the school bus is licensed as provided in chapter 10 of this title, and the failure of any driver to have the proper licenses and certificates shall result in a fine against the registered owner of not less than two hundred dollars ($200) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500) for each day the driver operates a school bus without the licenses and/or certificates. This fine shall be administered by the traffic tribunal. Nothing in this section shall preclude any civil or criminal penalty against the unlicensed operator of the school bus.
(b)
The registered owner of any school bus used for the transportation of school children shall obtain from the division of motor vehicles every year a certificate indicating that the operators of any school bus registered to the registered owner is in full compliance with all the requirements of this title.
(c)
The division of motor vehicles shall reply to any request made by any school bus owner in writing within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the request.
(d)
The division of motor vehicles shall prepare forms for the filing of requests and answers to them.
(e)
Licenses issued to school bus operators shall bear the date of the most recent division of motor vehicles check on its face.
(f)
The division of motor vehicles shall fix a fee for the providing of the information required by this section, which fee shall be paid by the registered owner making the request.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 413, § 3.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-22. - Rental to unauthorized person prohibited.

§ 31-11-22. Rental to unauthorized person prohibited.
No person shall rent a motor vehicle to any other person unless the latter person is then duly licensed under this title or, in the case of a nonresident, then duly licensed under the laws of the state or country of his or her residence, except a nonresident whose home state or country does not require that an operator be licensed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-7; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-22; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-23. - Inspection of license of person to whom vehicle rented required.

§ 31-11-23. Inspection of license of person to whom vehicle rented required.
No person shall rent a motor vehicle to another until he or she has inspected the operator’s or chauffeur’s license of the person to whom the vehicle is to be rented, and compared and verified the signature on it with the signature of the person written in his or her presence.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-8; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-23; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-24. - Records of rentals.

§ 31-11-24. Records of rentals.
Every person renting a motor vehicle to another shall keep a record of the registration number of the motor vehicle so rented, the name and address of the person to whom the vehicle is rented, the number of the license of the latter person, and the date and place when and where the license was issued. The record shall be open to inspection by any police officer or employee of the division of motor vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 17, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-9; G.L. 1956, § 31-11-24; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-11 - Suspension or Revocation of Licenses — Violations › Section 31-11-25. - Suspension for failure to pay fine.

§ 31-11-25. Suspension for failure to pay fine.
(a)
The division of motor vehicles shall suspend the license of a person to operate a motor vehicle upon certification of the clerk of any county of the superior court or any supervising deputy clerk of the district court or a clerk of the traffic tribunal that the person has failed to pay fines or costs imposed for a violation of any provision of this title within the time period provided for payment by the court, or has failed to make satisfactory arrangements with the court for payment of the fines or costs; provided, however, the person shall first be entitled to request an ability to pay hearing by filing a request with the court that imposed the fines or costs.
(b)
The suspension shall remain in force until all fines or costs are paid to the respective court or satisfactory arrangements have been made with the court for payment of the fines or costs.
History of Section.
P.L. 1982, ch. 412, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 218, art. 6, § 5; P.L. 2019, ch. 217, § 1; P.L. 2019, ch. 236, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-1. - Places provisions applicable.

§ 31-12-1. Places provisions applicable.
The provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title relating to the operation of vehicles refer exclusively to the operation of vehicles upon highways and on all state, city or town owned public property except:
(1)
Where a different place is specifically referred to in a given section.
(2)
The provisions of chapter 26 of this title and §§ 31-27-1 — 31-27-4 shall apply upon highways and elsewhere throughout the state.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 1; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-1; P.L. 1971, ch. 286, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-2. - Repealed.

§ 31-12-2. Repealed.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-2; Repealed by P.L. 1999, ch 218, § 6, effective July 1, 1999.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-3. - Obedience to police officers.

§ 31-12-3. Obedience to police officers.
No person shall willfully fail or refuse to comply with any lawful order or direction of any police officer invested by law with authority to direct, control, or regulate traffic, including any order or direction pertaining to fire lane parking violations whether on private or public property.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-3; P.L. 1983, ch. 159, § 1.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-4. - Applicability to public vehicles.

§ 31-12-4. Applicability to public vehicles.
The provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title applicable to the drivers of vehicles upon the highways shall apply to the drivers of all vehicles owned or operated by the United States, this state, or any county, city, town, district, or any other political subdivision of the state except as provided in § 31-12-5, and subject to any specific exceptions as are set forth in these chapters with reference to authorized emergency vehicles.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-4.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-5. - Exemption of highway workers.

§ 31-12-5. Exemption of highway workers.
Unless specifically made applicable, the provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title shall not apply to persons, teams, motor vehicles, and other equipment while actually engaged in work upon the surface of a highway but shall apply to the persons and vehicles when traveling to or from this work.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-6. - Emergency vehicles — Times when entitled to special privileges.

§ 31-12-6. Emergency vehicles — Times when entitled to special privileges.
(a)
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle, when responding to an emergency call or when in the pursuit of an alleged violator of the law or when responding to but not upon returning from a fire alarm, may exercise the privileges set forth in § 31-12-7, but subject to the conditions stated in this section and in §§ 31-12-8 and 31-12-9.
(b)
Upon establishment of the law enforcement agency accreditation council, the council shall adopt uniform rules and regulations to govern high speed pursuits in the state in accordance with the standards established by the National Law Enforcement Accreditation Agency. Until such rules are adopted, all police departments within the state shall submit to the department of the attorney general a copy of their high speed pursuit policies, which shall be available to the public.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-6; P.L. 1990, ch. 173, § 1; P.L. 2000, ch. 109, § 64.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-7. - Privileges allowed emergency vehicles.

§ 31-12-7. Privileges allowed emergency vehicles.
The driver of an authorized emergency vehicle may:
(1)
Park or stand, irrespective of the provisions of any law;
(2)
Proceed past a red or stop signal or stop sign, but only after slowing down as may be necessary for safe operation;
(3)
Exceed the prima facie speed limits so long as he or she does not endanger life or property;
(4)
Disregard regulations governing direction of movement or turning in specified directions.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 5; P.L. 1952, ch. 2937, § 11; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-8. - Warning signals given by emergency vehicles.

§ 31-12-8. Warning signals given by emergency vehicles.
The exemptions granted in this chapter to an authorized emergency vehicle shall apply only when the driver of the vehicle while in motion sounds an audible signal by bell, siren, or exhaust whistle as may be reasonably necessary, and when the vehicle is equipped with at least one lighted lamp displaying a red light visible under normal atmospheric conditions from a distance of five hundred feet (500′) to the front of the vehicle, except that an authorized emergency vehicle operated as a police vehicle need not be equipped with or display a red light visible from in front of the vehicle.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-9. - Due care by emergency vehicles.

§ 31-12-9. Due care by emergency vehicles.
The provisions of this chapter shall not relieve the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle from the duty to drive with due regard for the safety of all persons, nor shall the provisions protect the driver from the consequences of the driver’s reckless disregard for the safety of others.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-9.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-10. - Animals and animal-drawn vehicles.

§ 31-12-10. Animals and animal-drawn vehicles.
Every person riding an animal or driving any animal-drawn vehicle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by chapters 12 — 27 of this title, except those provisions of those chapters which by their very nature can have no application.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-10.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-11. - Uniformity of application.

§ 31-12-11. Uniformity of application.
The provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title shall be applicable and uniform throughout this state and in all political subdivisions and municipalities in the state, and no local authority shall enact or enforce any ordinance, rule, or regulation in conflict with the provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title unless expressly authorized in them.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-11; P.L. 1990, ch. 65, art. 57, § 5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-13. - Local regulations to be posted.

§ 31-12-13. Local regulations to be posted.
No ordinance or regulation enacted under subdivision (a)(4), (a)(5), (a)(6), (a)(7), or (a)(10) of § 31-12-12 shall be effective until signs giving notice of the local traffic regulations are posted upon or at the entrances to the highway or part of it as may be most appropriate.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-13.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-14. - State approval for traffic control devices on state highways.

§ 31-12-14. State approval for traffic control devices on state highways.
No local authority shall erect or maintain any stop sign or traffic control signal at any location so as to require the traffic on any state highway to stop before entering or crossing any intersecting highway unless approval in writing has first been obtained from the state traffic commission.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 8; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-14; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 12; P.L. 2008, ch. 145, § 12.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-12 - Applicability of Traffic Regulations › Section 31-12-15. - Powers of landowners preserved.

§ 31-12-15. Powers of landowners preserved.
Nothing in chapters 1 — 27 of this title shall be construed to prevent the owner of real property used by the public for purposes of vehicular travel by permission of the owner and not as matter of right, from prohibiting such use, or from requiring other or different or additional conditions than those specified in chapters 12 — 27 of this title, or otherwise regulating such use as may seem best to the owner.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 21, § 9; G.L. 1956, § 31-12-15.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-2. - Devices on state highways.

§ 31-13-2. Devices on state highways.
(a)
The state traffic commission shall place and maintain any traffic control devices, conforming to its manual and specifications, upon any state highways, that it shall deem necessary to indicate and to carry out the provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title or to regulate, warn, or guide traffic.
(b)
No local authority shall place or maintain any traffic control device upon any highway under the jurisdiction of the state traffic commission except by the latter’s permission.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-3. - Devices on local highways.

§ 31-13-3. Devices on local highways.
The traffic authority of any city or town may place and maintain traffic control signals, signs, markings, and other safety devices upon the highways under their jurisdiction as they may deem necessary to indicate and carry out the provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title, or local traffic ordinances or to regulate, warn or guide traffic, provided the signals, signs, markings, and devices conform to the regulations and specifications established by the state traffic commission in accordance with this chapter.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 3; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-3; P.L. 1968, ch. 113, § 2.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-4. - Obedience to devices.

§ 31-13-4. Obedience to devices.
The driver of any vehicle shall obey the instructions of any official traffic control device applicable to him or her placed in accordance with the provisions of chapters 12 — 27 of this title, unless otherwise directed by a traffic or police officer, subject to the exceptions granted the driver of an authorized emergency vehicle in those chapters. Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-4; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 108.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-5. - Signs prerequisite to enforcement of provisions.

§ 31-13-5. Signs prerequisite to enforcement of provisions.
No provision of chapters 12 — 27 of this title for which signs are required shall be enforced against an alleged violator if, at the time and place of the alleged violation, an official sign is not in proper position and sufficiently legible to be seen by an ordinarily observant person. Whenever a particular section does not state that signs are required, the section shall be effective even though no signs are erected or in place.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 4; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-5.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-7. - Signals at places other than intersections.

§ 31-13-7. Signals at places other than intersections.
In the event an official traffic control signal is erected and maintained at a place other than an intersection, the provisions of § 31-13-6 shall be applicable except as to those provisions which by their nature can have no application. Any stop required shall be made at a sign or marking on the pavement indicating where the stop shall be made, but in the absence of the sign or marking, the stop shall be made at the signal.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 5; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-7.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-8. - Pedestrian control signals.

§ 31-13-8. Pedestrian control signals.
Whenever special pedestrian control signals exhibiting the words “walk” or “wait” or “don’t walk” are in place the signals shall indicate as follows:
(1) Walk.
Pedestrians facing the signal may proceed across the roadway in the direction of the signal and shall be given the right-of-way by the drivers of all vehicles.
(2) Wait or don’t walk.
No pedestrian shall start to cross the roadway in the direction of the signal, but any pedestrian who has partially completed his or her crossing on the walk signal, shall proceed to a sidewalk or safety island while the “wait” or “don’t walk” signal is showing.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 6; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-8.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-9. - Flashing signals.

§ 31-13-9. Flashing signals.
Whenever an illuminated flashing red or yellow signal is used in a traffic sign or signal it shall require obedience by vehicular traffic as follows:
(1) Flashing red (stop signal).
When a red lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles shall stop before entering the nearest crosswalk at an intersection or at a limit line when marked, or, if none, then before entering the intersection, and the right to proceed shall be subject to the rules applicable after making a stop at a stop sign.
(2) Flashing yellow (caution signal).
When a yellow lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or past the signal only with caution.
(3) Flashing green (pedestrian signal).
When a green lens is illuminated with rapid intermittent flashes, drivers of vehicles may proceed through the intersection or crosswalk past the signal only with caution.
(4)
Violations of this section are subject to fines enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 7; P.L. 1952, ch. 2937, § 12; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-9; P.L. 2002, ch. 292, § 108.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-10. - Unauthorized signs and devices prohibited.

§ 31-13-10. Unauthorized signs and devices prohibited.
(a)
No person shall place, maintain, or display upon or in view of any highway any unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device which purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles an official traffic control device or railroad sign or signal, or which attempts to direct the movement of traffic, or which hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or any railroad sign or signal, and no person shall place or maintain upon any highway any traffic sign or signal bearing on it any commercial advertising without the consent of the chief of police of the city or town in which the highway is located. This shall not be deemed to prohibit the erection upon private property adjacent to highways of signs giving useful directional information and of a type that cannot be mistaken for official signs.
(b)
Every prohibited sign, signal, or marking is declared to be a public nuisance, and the authority having jurisdiction over the highway is empowered to remove it or cause it to be removed without notice.
History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 22, § 8; P.L. 1953, ch. 3207, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-13-10.
2023 Rhode Island General Laws › Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles › Chapter 31-13 - Traffic Control Devices › Section 31-13-10.1. - Traffic control signal preemption devices.

§ 31-13-10.1. Traffic control signal preemption devices.
(a)
As used in this section, “traffic control signal preemption device” means any device, either mechanical or electrical, that emits a pulse of light or other signal that, when received by a detector attached to a traffic control signal, changes that traffic control signal to a green light or, if the traffic control signal is already green, extends the duration of the green light.
(b)
Except as provided in subsection (d), no retailer or manufacturer shall sell or install any traffic control signal preemption device on a motor vehicle, nor may any such device be transported in the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle, nor be operated by the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle.
(c)
Any person who shall violate the provisions of subsection (b) of this section shall be fined not less than five hundred dollars ($500), which fine shall be deposited into the state general fund.
(d)
Installation of a traffic control signal preemption device is permitted on the following vehicles, and operation of the device is permitted as follows:
(1)
Police department vehicles, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red or blue oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights;
(2)
Law enforcement vehicles of state or local authorities, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights; and
(3)
Vehicles of local fire departments and state or federal firefighting vehicles, when responding to a bona fide emergency, when used in combination with red oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights.
(4)
Buses under the operation and/or control of the Rhode Island public transit authority, only when used to prolong a green light signal.
History of Section.
P.L. 2004, ch. 384, § 1; P.L. 2004, ch. 450, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 35, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 263, § 1.