News Summary
Rhode Island has launched a program to replace blue wave license plates with new ocean-themed designs, marking a transition after 25 years. The state plans to issue approximately 785,000 new plates as part of this initiative, which concludes on December 31, 2024. Drivers are encouraged to replace their outdated plates, with the DMV facilitating the process. Notably, following public input, the new plates showcase a fresh design symbolizing the state’s five counties. Residents can now collect their new plates without additional fees, thanks to legislative action covering transition costs.
Providence, Rhode Island – Beginning January 1, 2023, the state has initiated a new program to phase out the blue wave license plates that have been in use for over 25 years, replacing them with a contemporary ocean-themed design. This reissuance program is set to conclude on December 31, 2024, and includes a total of approximately 785,000 new ocean plates to be distributed to Rhode Island residents.
The blue wave plates, which were used across various vehicle types including passenger cars, motorcycles, trailers, and commercial vehicles, will no longer be valid. Vehicles displaying these old plates will fail inspection. The Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) encourages any drivers whose vehicles still have the outdated blue wave plates to contact the DMV’s Plate Office for assistance via email at [email protected]. Reports indicate that many vehicles on the road still display expired registration stickers along with these old plates.
The introduction of the new ocean plates comes after a public contest was held earlier in the year to select the design. Each new plate features five small waves at the bottom, symbolizing the state’s five counties. There are also notable differences in design and color from the old blue wave plates, reflecting a fresh approach to vehicle registration in Rhode Island.
As of now, the DMV has successfully issued around 670,000 new ocean plates, with an additional 200 plates returned as undeliverable. In these cases, DMV officials are proactively reaching out to notify customers that their new plates can be collected at the Cranston DMV office without the need for a reservation.
Residents are encouraged to recycle their old blue wave plates once they receive their new ocean plates. Notably, special design charity plates and specific non-blue wave plates, such as the R.I. Sailboat plate, Veteran/Military plates, and Electric/Hybrid plates, are exempt from this reissuance program.
Initially, the DMV indicated that an $8 surcharge would apply to the transition to new ocean plates; however, the state legislature intervened, deciding to cover these costs in the Fiscal Year 2023 budget, thereby eliminating the fee for residents.
The new ocean plates are designed with a flat surface and utilize digital printing technology, which includes a pre-printed registration sticker situated in the bottom right corner of the plate. This updated design not only pays homage to the previous blue wave design but marks a significant update to the state’s vehicle identification system.
With the phased rollout of the new plates, residents are advised to stay informed about the transition and ensure compliance with the new regulations. The DMV is committed to facilitating this process and provides necessary information for all Rhode Island vehicle owners.
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Additional Resources
- Providence Journal: Old Wave License Plate Inquiry
- WPRI: New RI License Plates Issued
- GoLocalProv: New RI License Plate Design Finalists
- ABC6: Drivers Face Delays for New License Plates
- PBN: DMV to Issue Ocean Wave License Plates
- Wikipedia: Rhode Island
- Google Search: Rhode Island License Plates
- Google Scholar: Rhode Island DMV License Plates
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Rhode Island
- Google News: Rhode Island License Plates
Author: STAFF HERE PROVIDENCE WRITER
PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER The PROVIDENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREProvidence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Providence, Providence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as WaterFire, Rhode Island International Film Festival, and Rhode Island Comic Con. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Providence Chamber of Commerce and Providence Warwick Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in finance and manufacturing that power the local economy such as Citizens Financial Group and Textron. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Rhode Island's dynamic landscape.
