License plates (also known as vehicle registration plates or license tags) are generally rectangular metal plates issued by your state’s department of motor vehicles for the purpose of identifying your car. A license plate must be attached to the rear of your car, and in 31 states and the District of Columbia (Washington, D.C.), you must also have a license plate on the front of your car. In a state or district that also requires you to display a license plate on the front of your car, your failure to do so will provide the police with probable cause to stop you and issue a citation at any time. State laws (statutes) generally provide for the specific placement of license plates, stated in minimum and maximum inches from the ground.
In Rhode Island, vehicles are required to display license plates issued by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The state mandates that a license plate be attached to the rear of the vehicle. Rhode Island does not require a front license plate, so vehicles registered in the state only need to display one plate at the rear. The specific placement of the license plate is regulated by state law, which includes requirements on how high or low the plate can be mounted from the ground. Failure to properly display a rear license plate in accordance with Rhode Island regulations can result in a traffic stop and citation by law enforcement officers.