R.I. Gen. Laws
Rhode Island General Laws

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-3.1 (2026)

Registration application

✓ current as of July 2026
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(a) No motor vehicle shall be registered and no registration renewed in this state unless the application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain a statement to be signed by the applicant who does all of the following:

(1) States that the applicant will not operate, or allow to be operated, the registered motor vehicle or any other motor vehicle unless all those motor vehicles shall be covered by financial security;

(2) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation of this chapter, the rights and duties of the applicant and the penalties for violation of this chapter;

(3) Warns the applicant that this chapter does not prevent the possibility that the applicant may be involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor vehicle who is without financial responsibility.

(b)(1) In the case of a person who purchases any motor vehicle from a licensed motor vehicle dealer, who agrees to make application for registration of the motor vehicle on behalf of the purchaser, the person shall sign a statement that complies with subsection (a) of this section.

(2) In the case of a person who leases any motor vehicle from a dealer engaged in the business of leasing motor vehicles who agrees to make application for registration of the motor vehicle on behalf of the lessee, the person shall sign a statement that complies with subsection (a) of this section, and the dealer shall do either of the following:

(i) Submit the statement signed by the person to the division of motor vehicles;

(ii) Sign and submit a statement that certifies that the statement has been signed and filed with the dealer or incorporated into the lease.

(iii) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall prescribe the form for all statements required under this section and the manner in which these statements shall be presented to the applicant. Statements shall be designed to enable the applicant to retain a copy.

(iv) An application for an operator’s, chauffeur’s, restricted or probationary license, or renewal of those licenses shall contain a statement to be signed by the applicant that does all of the following:

(A) States that the applicant will not operate a motor vehicle in this state, unless he or she maintains, or has maintained on his or her behalf, financial security;

(B) Contains a brief summary of the purposes and operation of this chapter, the rights and duties of the applicant and the penalties for violation of this chapter;

(C) Warns the applicant that the financial responsibility law does not prevent the possibility that the applicant may be involved in an accident with an owner or operator of a motor vehicle who is without financial security.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases, 2004–2019 · leading case: Mendez v. Brites, 849 A.2d 329 (R.I. 2004).
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Mendez v. Brites, 849 A.2d 329 (R.I. 2004). · cites it 4× “See G.L.1956 §§ 31-47-3.1(a), 31-47-8(d)(l). Neither Rhode Island nor Massachusetts law, however, requires an insurer that accepts an application for an automobile-liability policy in Massachusetts from a resident of that state — even one who is licensed to drive in Rhode Island…”
Jason Puerini v. Jeanne LaPierre, 208 A.3d 1157 (R.I. 2019). “6 General Laws 1956 § 31-47-3.1 provides, in relevant part, that: "(a) No motor vehicle shall be registered and no registration renewed in this state unless the application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain a statement to be signed by the applicant who does…”
Robinson v. Mayo, 849 A.2d 351 (R.I. 2004). “General Laws § 31-47-3.1(a) provides in pertinent part: "No motor vehicle shall be registered and no registration renewed in this state unless the application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain a statement to be signed by the applicant [which] í: * *: "(1)…”
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-3.1(a): 2 cases
Mendez v. Brites, 849 A.2d 329 (R.I. 2004). “See G.L.1956 §§ 31-47-3.1(a), 31-47-8(d)(l). Neither Rhode Island nor Massachusetts law, however, requires an insurer that accepts an application for an automobile-liability policy in Massachusetts from a resident of that state — even one who is licensed to drive in Rhode Island…”
Robinson v. Mayo, 849 A.2d 351 (R.I. 2004). “General Laws § 31-47-3.1(a) provides in pertinent part: "No motor vehicle shall be registered and no registration renewed in this state unless the application for the registration of a motor vehicle shall contain a statement to be signed by the applicant [which] í: * *: "(1)…”
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