Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-3-11. Contents of registration plate

(a) Every registration plate shall have displayed upon it the registration number assigned to the vehicle for which it is issued, the name of the state of Rhode Island along the top, which may be abbreviated “R.I.”, and the year number for which it is issued or the date of its expiration. Registration plates shall also have printed on them along the bottom the words “Ocean State”.

(b) The provision requiring the printing of the words “Ocean State” along the bottom of these plates shall only pertain to private passenger plates. Registration plates for all other plate types shall have the plate type printed on the plate along the bottom.