Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-3-28. Rules and regulations as to plates

(a) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles is authorized and empowered to make, alter, or amend, such rules and regulations that he or she may deem necessary, pertaining to the use, size, design, color scheme, and the material to be used in the manufacture of the number plates to be displayed on automobiles, motor trucks, trailers, semi-trailers, or other motor vehicles, except that at the next general issuance and each subsequent issuance. To promote safety and to facilitate the identification of registration plate letters and numerals at night, the department of revenue shall require that all registration plates shall be treated with special materials so as to make the background fully reflective and the letters and numerals on them readable at night for a minimum distance of one hundred feet (100′) with other illumination. An additional fee of one dollar ($1.00) shall be payable upon the initial issuance of the above described illuminated plates.

(b) All rules and regulations made under the provisions of this section shall, after being approved by the governor and published at least once in each county of the state, have the effect of law.