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 Rhode Island Department of Revenue through its Division of Motor Vehicles. Front and rear plates are required for most classes of vehicles, while only rear plates are required for motorcycles and trailers.
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 (except those for motorcycles) at in height by in width, with standardized mounting holes. The 1956 (dated 1957) issue was the first Rhode Island license plate that complied with these standards.
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.
Rhode Island reissues plate numbers to new owners if that plate number is a inactive plate not registered in several years.