Rhode Island § 31-3-88 - Registration of Vehicles
Full text of Rhode Island Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-88 — Registration of Vehicles, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 31-3-88. Registration of Vehicles
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-88
§ 31-3-88. Special plate in support of public education.
(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is empowered to make available a special motor vehicle registration plate in support of public education. The plate shall bear the designation “Support Public Education”, and shall bear a design chosen by the commissioner of elementary and secondary education and which shall depict a ruler and an apple.
(b) The special plate shall be displayed upon the same registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it was issued, and shall be used in place of, and in the same manner as the registration plates issued to the vehicle. The original registration plates for the vehicle shall be removed from the vehicle and the registration certificate for the plates shall be carried in the vehicle, in accordance with § 31-3-9. The registration certificate shall be in effect for the special plate.
(c) The “Support Public Education” 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 the design approved by the Rhode Island state police.
(d) The “Support Public Education” motor vehicle plates shall be subject to a minimum pre-paid order of at least nine hundred (900) sets of plates. The Rhode Island “Support Public Education” plates shall not be issued unless the minimum order requirements are met.
(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, “Support Public Education” motor vehicle 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 division of motor vehicles for its costs in manufacturing and distributing the special plates and the remaining twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be distributed annually, based upon the vehicle registration, to the local school districts for educational purposes.
(h) There shall be no refunds for early cancellation of “Support Public Education” motor vehicle plates.
History of Section.
P.L. 2010, ch. 207, § 1; P.L. 2010, ch. 214, § 1.
Source: official Rhode Island text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Rhode Island § 31-3-88
What does Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-88 cover?
Section 31-3-88 ("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 § 31-3-88?
A common citation format is "Rhode Island General Laws § 31-3-88" (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 § 31-3-88 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.