Personalized license plates are a lot of fun. You can use them to show off team pride, to convey a fun message, or to display the initials of a kid or spouse. They also make your car unique to you, because no one else has the same license plate and message that you do.
If you’re looking to add some customization to your vehicle, a personalized license plate could be the right addition. Personalized Rhode Island license plates are easy and simple to apply for.
Part 1 of 3: Select a personalized license plates
Step 1: Go to the Rhode Island DMV website. Visit the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles home website.
Step 2: Go to the vanity plate page. Click the “Let’s get started!” button in the vanity plates section.
Step 3: Choose a plate style. Choose a plate style for your personalized license plate.
From the vanity plate page, click on the button that says “Begin.”
Select whether you wish to proceed with the wave plate design or the sailboat plate design, then click “Continue.”
Step 4: Choose a plate message. Choose a message for your personalized license plate.
Type your message into the box, and click on the button that says “Preview” to see how your message will look on the license plate style that you chose.
- Tip: In Rhode Island, license plates must be a minimum of two characters, and a maximum of six. They cannot have more than three numbers, and all of the numbers must be at the end of the message.
Step 5: Check the plate availability: Check to see if your license plate message is available.
Click the “Check availability” button to see if the plate message you chose is available. If the plate is unavailable, keep trying until you find a plate that is available.
- Warning: If your license plate message is crass or offensive, it may appear as available, but your application will be rejected.
Part 2 of 3: Order your personalized license plates
Step 1: Enter your personal information. Fill out the personal information form.
After finding a license plate message that you want, click the button that says “I’ll take it” to go to the application form.
Fill out all of the personal information on the form, including your address and your vehicle’s current license plate number. When you’re finished, click the “Continue” button.
- Tip: Double check all of your information before clicking “Continue.”
Step 2: Pay the fee. Pay the vanity plate fee online.
Where prompted, pay the fee, which varies from $46.50 to $86.50, depending on your type of vehicle and the license plate design that you chose.
- Tip: You can only pay with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover credit or debit card.
Step 3: Verify your order. Verify your license plate order to make sure all of the information is accurate.
Part 3 of 3: Install your personalized license plates.
Step 1: Pick up your plates. Pick up your personalized plates from the DMV.
Your personalized license plates will be shipped to the DMV nearest you. When the DMV receives the plates, they will call you, and you can come pick them up.
- Tip: You may have to fill out additional information at the DMV office.
Step 2: Install your plates. Install the license plates on your vehicle.
As soon as you have your new personalized license plates, install them on both the front and back of your car.
Tip: If you do not want to install the license plates yourself, you can hire a mechanic to come do the job for you.
Warning: Be sure to put current registration stickers on your new personalized license plates.
With your personalized Rhode Island license plates, your car will be a little different from the other cars on the road, but in a good way. It’s a great way to add some fun flair to your vehicle.
