Vehicle registration plates of Rhode Island


The U.S. state of Rhode Island first required its residents to register their motor vehicles and display license plates in 1904. Plates are currently issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles of the Rhode Island Department of Revenue.

Passenger baseplates

1904 to 1960

In 1956, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came to an agreement with the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, the Automobile Manufacturers Association and the National Safety Council that standardized the size for license plates for vehicles at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1956 issue was the first Rhode Island license plate that complied with these standards.
ImageDates issuedDesignSloganSerial formatSerials issuedNotes
White serial on black porcelain plate; "REGISTERED IN R.I." at topnone12341 to approximately 3300
1908–12White serial on black porcelain plate; "RI" at rightnone12343301 to approximately 8700
1912–17Black serial on white porcelain plate; vertical "RI" at leftnone123451 to approximately 35000
1918White serial on black flat metal plate; "R.I. 1918" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 30000First dated plate.
1919Black serial on white flat metal plate; "R.I. 1919" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 32000
1920White serial on black flat metal plate; "R.I. 1920" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 37000
1921Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "R.I. 1921" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 43000First embossed plate.
1922Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "R.I. 1922" centered at bottomnone123451 to approximately 50000
1923Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "R.I. 1923" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 62-000
1924Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "R.I. 1924" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 86-000
1925Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "R.I. 1925" centered at bottomnone12-3451 to approximately 85-000
1926Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "R.I. 1926" centered at topnone12-3451 to approximately 90-000
1927Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "27 R.I." centered at topnone12-3451 to approximately 97-000
1928Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "R.I. 1928" centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 108-000
1929Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "29–R.I." centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 109-000
1930Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "RHODE ISLAND 1930" at bottomnone1 to approximately 115-000First use of the full state name.
1931Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "31 RHODE ISLAND" centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 116-000
1932Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "RHODE ISLAND 1932" centered at topnone1 to approximately 113-000
1933Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "33 RHODE ISLAND" centered at topnone1 to approximately 117-000
1934Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "1934 RHODE ISLAND" centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 125-000
1935Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "RHODE ISLAND 35" centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 130-000
1936Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "1636 RHODE ISLAND 1936" centered at top"300TH YEAR" centered at bottom1 to approximately 140-000Commemorated the 300th anniversary of the settlement of Rhode Island.
1937Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "1937 RHODE ISLAND" centered at bottomnone1 to approximately 148-000
1938Embossed white serial on black plate; "R.I. 1938" at bottomnoneA1234B1 to approximately P9000
1939Embossed black serial on white plate; "R.I. 39" at topnoneA-1234B-1 to approximately R-5000
1940Embossed white serial on black plate; "R.I. 40" at bottomnoneA-1234B-1 to approximately T-4000
1941As 1939 base, but with "R.I. 41" at topnoneA-1234B-1 to approximately W-9000
1942–43As 1940 base, but with "R.I. 42" at bottomnoneA-1234B-1 to approximately W-8000Revalidated for 1943 with windshield stickers, due to metal conservation for World War II.
1944–46Embossed white serial on black plate; "R.I." at bottom, offset to left, with tab slots to rightnoneA-1234B-1 to approximately W-5000Validated for 1944 with orange tabs, for 1945 with green tabs, and until July 31, 1946 with red tabs.
1946–47Embossed black serial on silver plate; "RHODE ISLAND" at bottom, with tab box between the two wordsnoneA1234B1 to approximately Y9999Validated until December 31, 1946 with silver tabs, then for 1947 with white tabs.
1948–50Embossed black serial on white plate; "RHODE ISLAND" at bottom, with tab slots between the two wordsnoneA1234B1 to Z9999Tab-slot plates validated each year with white tabs. All-numeric serials from 1 through 10000 were reserved, while 10001 through 19999 were used on replacement plates.
1948–50Embossed black serial on white plate; "RHODE ISLAND" at bottom, with tab slots between the two wordsnone1234530001 to approximately 59000Tab-slot plates validated each year with white tabs. All-numeric serials from 1 through 10000 were reserved, while 10001 through 19999 were used on replacement plates.
1950As above, but with "50" instead of tab slotsnone1234559001 to approximately 71000Tab-slot plates validated each year with white tabs. All-numeric serials from 1 through 10000 were reserved, while 10001 through 19999 were used on replacement plates.
1951Embossed white serial on black plate; "RHODE 51 ISLAND" at bottomnoneA1234
12345		1951 plates revalidated for 1952 with windshield stickers. 1952 plates issued only to new registrants.
1952As above, but with "52" instead of "51"noneA1234
12345		1951 plates revalidated for 1952 with windshield stickers. 1952 plates issued only to new registrants.

1953–54Embossed black serial on white plate; "RHODE 53 ISLAND" at bottomnoneA1234
12345		Revalidated for 1954 with black tabs.
1955–56Embossed white serial on black plate; "RHODE 55 ISLAND" at bottomnoneA1234
12345		Revalidated for 1956 with white tabs.
1957–58Embossed black serial on white plate with border line; "RHODE ISLAND 57" at topnoneAB123AA1 to
WW999		Letters I, Q and U not used in serials, and X, Y and Z used only on replacement plates. Revalidated for 1958 with black tabs.

1959–60Embossed white serial on black plate with border line; "RHODE ISLAND 59" at topnoneAB123AA1 to
WW999		Unused and replacement serial letters same as on 1957–58 base. Revalidated for 1960 with white tabs.

1961 to present

Optional plates

Non-passenger plates

Trivia

License plates with low serial numbers have been distributed by politicians, as a way of rewarding supporters or associates, since the state first issued plates in 1904. Such plates have become a status symbol, similar to Delaware's low-numbered plates.
Additionally, an official lottery for so-called "preferred plates" was implemented in 1995 through the Governor's Office. Passenger plates with serials consisting of two letters and up to two digits, one letter and up to three digits, or all-numeric with up to five digits, are considered "preferred plates", as are commercial, motorcycle and combination plates with serials up to four digits, war veterans' plates with serials up to three digits, and National Guard plates with serials up to two digits.
Rhode Island is also one of the few states that allows plate owners to transfer their plates to other family members in their will.