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HB 7989

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jackie Baginski and 1 co-sponsor

Rhode Island allows vehicles without a front-plate mounting bracket to skip front plates, requiring only a rear plate and a second plate carried for police upon request.

06/26/2026 Effective without Governor's signature
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 7989

Bill Summary: HB 7989 (Rhode Island, 2026 Session)

Title

AN ACT RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- REGISTRATION OF VEHICLES

Purpose and Intent

  • To modify the requirement for displaying front license plates on certain motor vehicles.
  • Specifically, to exempt certain vehicles that are not manufactured with a front plate mounting/bracket from the obligation to display a front registration plate, while maintaining compliance through alternative measures.

Key Provisions

  1. Exemption from Front Plate Display for Some Vehicles

    • Vehicles manufactured and delivered for sale without a manufacturer-provided front plate bracket, mounting point, or other intended front-plate display mechanism are not required to display a front registration plate.
    • Compliance mechanisms for such vehicles:
      • One registration plate must be properly attached to the rear of the vehicle (per existing law).
      • A second registration plate must be carried in the vehicle and displayed by the driver upon demand of a duly sworn law enforcement officer.

  2. Front Plate Display Requirements (General)

    • For most vehicles, registration plates must be attached to both the front and rear as applicable by existing statute.
    • If a vehicle has a front plate bracket or mounting point, it must be used to display the front plate.

  3. Plate Attachment Standards

    • All plates must be securely fastened and displayed in a horizontal position.
    • Plates must be at least 12 inches above the ground (measured from the bottom of the plate) and clearly visible, free of foreign materials, and legible.

  4. Penalties

    • Violations are treated as a violation with a penalty referenced in § 31-41.1-4 (set by Rhode Island law).

  5. Scope of Vehicles Covered by Front Plate Display Rule

    • The rule applies to passenger cars, commercial vehicles, trailers, motorcycles, suburban, farm, combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, antique vehicles, and others as defined by § 31-3-11.
    • The exemption does not apply to registrants holding alternative design plates (e.g., special plates authorized under § 31-3-60).

  6. Effective Date

    • The act takes effect upon passage (immediate operative date after signing into law).

Affected Parties

  • Vehicle owners and registrants in Rhode Island, particularly:
    • Vehicles not equipped with a manufacturer front-plate mounting bracket.
    • Owners of vehicles with special or alternative plates, who are exempt from the front-plate display requirement but still subject to overall plate display rules.
  • Law enforcement, which would exercise the requirement to inspect rear plate visibility and verify the presence/possession of the second plate.

Procedural and Timeline Details

  • Introduced: February 27, 2026
  • Referred to House State Government & Elections
  • Committee actions:
    • March 3, 2026: Committee recommended holding measure for further study (initial stage)
    • April 24, 2026: Scheduled for consideration; substitute proposed
    • April 30, 2026: Committee recommended passage of Sub A (final committee action)
  • Enactment: Takes effect upon passage of the act (no delayed effective date)

Plain-Language Impact

  • If your vehicle cannot accommodate a front license plate bracket, Rhode Island will allow you to comply by keeping a rear plate on the vehicle and carrying a second plate to show to police if asked.
  • Vehicles that can already display a front plate using the manufacturer’s front-mounting provisions must continue to display it on the front as required.
  • The change reduces the burden on certain vehicle owners while maintaining enforcement tools (the rear plate and the requirement to present the second plate on demand).

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison with current law, or a quick FAQ for motorists and dealers.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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