Will he get the new plates with a registration transfer? | Ask the RI DMV

Q: My husband just purchased a new vehicle. The dealership is handling the transfer from the old car's registration to the new car. However, his registration is set to expire in August and he's supposed to get new ocean license plates. What happens now? Will he still have to pay that registration? Will he get new plates?

- Donna

A: When the dealership makes the transfer, please make sure they understand that you want to transfer the plates from your previous vehicle to your new vehicle. This is not a “New Registration” but a “Transfer Registration” transaction. So come July, he should receive a notice to renew his registration, then his new plates will be sent out to him in the mail.

Remember when you receive your new ocean plates, the new registration certificate is on the back of the mailing label.

Chuck Hollis is assistant administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject field.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Will he get new plates with a registration transfer? | Ask the RI DMV