A Rhode Island lawmaker has introduced a bill to remove the eight-dollar fee that's coming for drivers when they switch to the state's new license plate. Democrat Edward Cardillo, whose district covers Johnston and Cranston, says the fee seems out of line to him since car owners already pay registration fees.
“License plates don’t last forever, and we’ve had the same plates since 1996,” said Representative Cardillo. “While I don’t object to a fee to replace damaged plates, it seems unreasonable to tack on a fee for a plate redesign when car owners are already paying registration fees every two years — especially when the state is mandating that the plates be replaced.”
The new license plate, which is nearly-identical to the current ocean wave design but with more waves, was unveiled last week. The Division of Motor Vehicles is expected to begin the rollout this summer.
(Photo Provided by: Rhode Island Registry of Motor Vehicles)