Bill Sponsors
Ciccone, Tikoian, Felag, LaMountain, Gallo, and DiPalma
Committee
Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Summary
Select
This bill changes the rules for displaying license plates on motor vehicles. Currently, most cars must have both a front and a rear license plate. Under this new legislation, if a vehicle is manufactured and sold without a built-in spot or bracket to attach a front license plate, the owner is not required to display one on the front. Instead, they must correctly attach the rear plate and keep the second plate inside the car, ready to show to a police officer if asked.
Sponsor
Analysis
Pros for Progressives
- Reduces the likelihood of pretextual police stops for minor equipment violations, which disproportionately impact marginalized and lower-income communities.
- Alleviates the financial burden on working-class individuals who would otherwise have to pay for aftermarket modifications to comply with front-plate mandates.
- Prevents unnecessary fines and penalties for drivers who simply purchased a vehicle that was not designed to accommodate a front license plate.
Cons for Progressives
- May hinder the effectiveness of automated traffic enforcement systems, such as red-light and speed cameras, which rely on front plates to hold dangerous drivers accountable.
- Makes it more difficult for pedestrians, cyclists, or victims of hit-and-run accidents to quickly identify a vehicle approaching from the front.
- Could create a loophole that drivers exploit to avoid identification, complicating community safety efforts and traffic law enforcement.
Pros for Conservatives
- Enhances personal freedom and property rights by allowing vehicle owners to preserve the aesthetic integrity of their cars without forced government modifications.
- Reduces government overreach and deregulation by eliminating an arbitrary equipment mandate for certain vehicles.
- Benefits the automotive market and car enthusiasts by making it easier to own and drive specialty or imported vehicles that lack front plate brackets.
Cons for Conservatives
- Impedes law enforcement's ability to quickly identify suspect or fleeing vehicles from the front, potentially undermining the rule of law and public safety.
- Creates an inconsistent, two-tiered regulatory standard where some citizens must display two plates while others only need one, complicating enforcement.
- Reduces the effectiveness of Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs) used by police to track stolen vehicles and apprehend criminals.
Constitutional Concerns
None Likely. This bill modifies a standard vehicle equipment regulation and does not implicate free speech, due process, or unreasonable searches and seizures.
Impact Overview
Groups Affected
- Car owners
- Law enforcement officers
- Car dealerships
- Automotive enthusiasts
- Pedestrians and cyclists
Towns Affected
All
Cost to Taxpayers
None
Revenue Generated
None
BillBuddy Impact Ratings
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Freedom Impact
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Public Services
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Regulatory
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Clarity of Bill Language
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Enforcement Provisions
Measures enforcement provisions and penalties for non-compliance (if applicable).
Environmental Impact
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Privacy Impact
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Bill Status
Current Status
Held
Comm Passed
Floor Passed
Law
History
• 05/05/2026 Introduced, referred to Senate Special Legislation and Veterans Affairs
Bill Text
SECTION 1. Section 31-3-18 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-3 entitled "Registration of Vehicles" is hereby amended to read as follows:
31-3-18. Display of plates — Penalties.
(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a bailee engaged in a business as defined in § 31-1-17(a), or other than a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer in motor vehicles and which is used in the dealer’s business shall be attached thereto one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, or a dealer’s motor vehicle as defined in this subsection shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any motor vehicle that, as manufactured and delivered for sale, is not equipped with a manufacturer-provided front registration plate bracket, mounting point, or other manufacturer-provided means or location intended for the attachment and display of a front registration plate, shall not be required to display a front registration plate, and shall be in compliance with this section if:
(i) One registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is properly attached to the rear of the vehicle; and
(ii) The second registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is carried within the vehicle and displayed by the driver upon demand of a duly sworn law enforcement officer.
(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging at a height of not less than twelve inches (12") from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
(c) Penalties. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine as enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
(d) All vehicles registered as passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, suburban, farm, combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, and antique must have displayed on them the registration plate(s) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
31-3-18. Display of plates — Penalties.
(a) Registration plates issued for a motor vehicle other than a motorcycle, trailer, transporter vehicle, in-transit vehicle, or a bailee engaged in a business as defined in § 31-1-17(a), or other than a motor vehicle owned by a duly authorized dealer in motor vehicles and which is used in the dealer’s business shall be attached thereto one in the front and the other in the rear. The registration plate issued for a motorcycle, trailer, bailee, or a dealer’s motor vehicle as defined in this subsection shall be attached to the rear of the vehicle.
(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection, any motor vehicle that, as manufactured and delivered for sale, is not equipped with a manufacturer-provided front registration plate bracket, mounting point, or other manufacturer-provided means or location intended for the attachment and display of a front registration plate, shall not be required to display a front registration plate, and shall be in compliance with this section if:
(i) One registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is properly attached to the rear of the vehicle; and
(ii) The second registration plate issued in accordance with § 31-3-10 is carried within the vehicle and displayed by the driver upon demand of a duly sworn law enforcement officer.
(b) Every registration plate shall at all times be securely fastened in a horizontal position to the vehicle for which it is issued so as to prevent the plate from swinging at a height of not less than twelve inches (12") from the ground, measuring from the bottom of the plate; in a place and position to be clearly visible and shall be maintained free from foreign materials and in a condition to be clearly legible.
(c) Penalties. Any person who shall violate the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine as enumerated in § 31-41.1-4.
(d) All vehicles registered as passenger, commercial, trailer, motorcycle, suburban, farm, combination, taxi, radio operator, camper, public, racer tow, jitney, and antique must have displayed on them the registration plate(s) as described in § 31-3-11. This subsection does not apply to those registrants in possession of an alternative design plate as described in § 31-3-60 or any other specially authorized plate described in this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.