Rhode Island General Laws
Chapter 31-32 - Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future
Section 31-32-4. - Proof required under certain circumstances.

§ 31-32-4. Proof required under certain circumstances.
(a) Whenever the license of any person is revoked pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-6, and whenever the division of motor vehicles, pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-7, suspends or revokes the license of an operator or chauffeur upon a showing by its records or other sufficient evidence that the licensee has committed an offense for which mandatory revocation of license is required upon conviction, the division of motor vehicles shall suspend the registration of all vehicles registered in the name of the person as owner.
(b) Whenever under any other law of this state the license of any person is suspended or revoked by reason of a conviction or a forfeiture of bail, the division of motor vehicles may suspend the registration of all vehicles registered in the name of the person as owner if the administrator of the division of motor vehicles finds that the public safety so requires; provided, that:
(1) If the owner has previously given or shall immediately give and maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner, the division of motor vehicles shall not suspend the registration unless otherwise required by law.
(2) If a conviction arose out of the operation, with permission, of a vehicle owned by or leased to the United States, this state, or a municipality of it, the division of motor vehicles shall suspend or revoke the license only with respect to the operation of vehicles not so owned or leased and shall not suspend the registration of any vehicle so owned or leased.
(c)(1) Whenever the license of any person is revoked pursuant to the provisions of § 31-11-6, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require that person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person or owner.
(2) Whenever the license of any person shall have been suspended for having violated any provisions of the motor vehicle laws other than those enumerated in § 31-11-6, once within a period of twenty-four (24) calendar months, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles may in his or her discretion require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner. Whenever the license of any person shall have been suspended twice within a period of twenty-four (24) calendar months, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for the future with respect to all vehicles registered by the person as the owner.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (c) of this section, whenever the license of any person is suspended pursuant to the provisions of § 31-27-2 or 31-27-2.1, the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall require the person to maintain proof of financial responsibility for three (3) years.
History of Section.P.L. 1952, ch. 3002, § 17; G.L. 1956, § 31-32-26; P.L. 1962, ch. 204, § 2; G.L. 1956, § 31-32-4; P.L. 1968, ch. 282, § 1; P.L. 1970, ch. 279, § 1; P.L. 1988, ch. 377, § 1.

Structure Rhode Island General Laws

Rhode Island General Laws

Title 31 - Motor and Other Vehicles

Chapter 31-32 - Proof of Financial Responsibility for the Future

Section 31-32-1. - Applicability.

Section 31-32-2. - “Proof of financial responsibility for the future” defined.

Section 31-32-3. - Definitions.

Section 31-32-4. - Proof required under certain circumstances.

Section 31-32-5. - Suspension until proof furnished.

Section 31-32-6. - Action in respect to unlicensed person.

Section 31-32-7. - Action in respect to nonresidents.

Section 31-32-8. - Courts to report nonpayment of judgments.

Section 31-32-9. - Division of motor vehicles to notify licensing state.

Section 31-32-10. - Suspension for nonpayment of judgment.

Section 31-32-11. - Exception in relation to certain vehicles.

Section 31-32-12. - Exception when consent granted by judgment creditor.

Section 31-32-13. - Exception when insurer liable.

Section 31-32-14. - Duration of suspension for unsatisfied judgment.

Section 31-32-15. - Discharge in bankruptcy.

Section 31-32-16. - Payment sufficient to satisfy requirements.

Section 31-32-17. - Installment payment of judgments.

Section 31-32-18. - Action on default.

Section 31-32-19. - Proof required for each registered vehicle.

Section 31-32-20. - Alternate methods of giving proof.

Section 31-32-21. - Certificate of insurance as proof.

Section 31-32-22. - Certificate furnished by nonresident as proof.

Section 31-32-23. - Default by nonresident insurer.

Section 31-32-24. - “Motor vehicle liability policy” defined.

Section 31-32-25. - Notice of cancellation or termination of certified policy.

Section 31-32-26. - Chapter not to affect other policies.

Section 31-32-27. - Bond as proof.

Section 31-32-28. - Recorded bond constitutes a lien.

Section 31-32-29. - Action on bond.

Section 31-32-30. - Money or securities as proof.

Section 31-32-31. - Application of deposit.

Section 31-32-32. - Owner may give proof for others.

Section 31-32-33. - Substitution of proof.

Section 31-32-34. - Requiring additional proof.

Section 31-32-35. - Duration of proof — Cancellation or return.

Section 31-32-36. - Three-year requirement construed.