Rhode Island § 31-3-47 - Registration of Vehicles
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-47 — Registration of Vehicles, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-3-47. Registration of Vehicles
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-47
§ 31-3-47. Judiciary plates.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available to each justice of the supreme, superior, family, and district courts, to each judge of the workers’ compensation court, the general magistrate of the family court, and to each judge or magistrate of the traffic tribunal of the state of Rhode Island, so long as that member is serving, a special motor vehicle registration plate.
(b) Each special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry thereon the design and the seal of the state of Rhode Island and the word, “judiciary.”
(c) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall have consecutive numbers starting with one through the combined number of people entitled to said plates. Numbers one through five (5) shall be assigned to the supreme court; numbers six (6) through eight (8) shall be assigned to the presiding justice of superior court, chief judge of family court, and chief judge of district court, number nine (9) shall be assigned to the chief judge of the workers’ compensation court; number ten (10) shall be assigned to the chief magistrate of the traffic tribunal. Each remaining member of the judiciary, and the remaining members of the workers’ compensation court, and the remaining judges and magistrates of the traffic tribunal and the general magistrate of the family court will then be awarded a number according to seniority. The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall reassign numbers no more than every four (4) years after the initial distribution.
(d) Each member of the judiciary, workers’ compensation court, the general magistrate of the family court and traffic tribunal, as provided in this section, shall have the option of displaying at any time that plate or the private registration plate assigned to his or her vehicle.
(e) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the judiciary plate upon payment, in addition to the regular prescribed motor vehicle registration fee, of a service charge of ten dollars ($10.00) for each issue and for each registration renewal.
History of Section.
P.L. 1983, ch. 195, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 52, § 2; P.L. 1998, ch. 442, § 4; P.L. 2008,
ch. 1, § 9; P.L. 2021, ch. 77, § 14, effective June 23, 2021; P.L. 2021, ch. 78, §
14, effective June 23, 2021.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 31-3-47
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-47 cover?
Section 31-3-47 ("Registration of Vehicles") is part of the Rhode Island General Laws, the codified statutory law of Rhode Island. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Rhode Island § 31-3-47?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-47" (Rhode Island). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Rhode Island law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Rhode Island official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Rhode Island attorney.
How does Rhode Island § 31-3-47 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Rhode Island can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Rhode Island.