Rhode Island § 31-3-80 - Registration of Vehicles
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-80 — Registration of Vehicles, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-3-80. Registration of Vehicles
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-80
§ 31-3-80. Reserve Forces plates.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered and authorized to make available to all active and retired members of the United States Reserve Forces of Rhode Island a special motor vehicle registration plate for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or a commercial vehicle having a gross weight of eight thousand five hundred pounds (8,500 lbs.) or less.
(b) The special motor vehicle registration plate shall carry on it the designation “US Reserve Forces” and shall carry on it the titles (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard) arranged on the left hand side of the plate from top to bottom in this order of precedence, with numerals to the right of the titles.
(c) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue the plate upon payment of a service charge of twenty dollars ($20.00) and a transfer charge of five dollars ($5.00) for the plate. All revenues shall be deposited as general revenues.
(d) For the purposes of this section an active or retired member of the United States Reserve Forces shall be defined as currently serving or having retired under honorable conditions from any of the Reserve Forces other than the Rhode Island Army or Air National Guard.
(e) In a national state of emergency, any active member of the United States Reserve Forces driving a vehicle bearing the special motor vehicle registration plate shall be authorized and empowered to travel upon the highways of the state notwithstanding any driving ban imposed by any state or municipal authority.
(f) No US Reserve Forces plates shall be issued until at least nine hundred (900) such plates have been ordered.
History of Section.
P.L. 2006, ch. 643, § 1; P.L. 2025, ch. 165, § 14, effective June 24, 2025; P.L. 2025,
ch. 166, § 14, effective June 24, 2025.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 31-3-80
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-80 cover?
Section 31-3-80 ("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 § 31-3-80?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-80" (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 § 31-3-80 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.