1. Can I keep my current RI License plate number?

Yes. When you switch to the PBL plate, your current number is transferred to the new plate. Just think of it as ordering a new background design for your existing plate.

2. What if I currently have a 6-digit plate?

Because of the artwork that will be on the PBL plate, we are restricted to no more than 5 letters or numbers on the plate. In order to qualify for a PBL plate, you must obtain a 5 digit or less registration from DMV. They have just released new registrations that fulfill the requirement for 5 digits or less, so getting one of these plates should be easy.

3. Can I get whatever number I want?

We can only issue plates that are currently active. As a group, the Friends cannot grant anyone different plate numbers. Only the DMV can do that.

4. I have a commercial plate, can I get a PBL plate?

Unfortunately this was an oversight on our part and on the part of the state legislature, and presently only passenger vehicle plates qualify for the PBL plate. We are considering approaching the General Assembly to create another law to correct this oversight.

5. How much is the PBL plate and where does the money go?

For a set of two plates, the cost is $41.50 and is distributed this way: The Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse collect the money for the plate with payment made out to “PBL Plate.” $20 of the order will go to the Friends of Plum Beach Lighthouse and their efforts to repaint the lighthouse, $20 will go to the state to make the plate, and $1.50 is added to each order as a technology surcharge for the DMV.

6. Do I get charged every year for the new plate?

We made a conscious decision to make the fee for the PBL plate a one-time charge. The $41.50 you pay towards the PBL plate is the only payment you will have to make to the Friends. You will still need to pay your registration fee every two years to the DMV, but the fee for the new PBL plate happens only once.

7. When can I expect to receive my plate?

By law, we must receive payment for 900 orders before the DMV will proceed with making the PBL plate. When we achieve this goal is unknown, but we are confident, based on the number of pre-orders we’ve received, that we will make the number fairly quickly.

8. So I've paid my money, how can I be sure the number will be reached?

All of the funds collected will be placed in an escrow account, and as soon as we receive your payment it will be deposited into this account. Once we reach the 900 orders, we will present the DMV with their share of the proceeds. If we don’t make the 900 orders after a reasonable amount of time, we will cancel the program if we sense we can’t make the minimum order number. Again, we feel confident we will reach the minimum given the great response we’ve received thus far.

9. I have a Suburban plate, do I qualify?

At the moment, no. Like the commercial plate, your plate type was not included in our bill, but we will be approaching the legislature to attempt to include all types of plates in the future.

10. Do I have to live in Rhode Island to get a PBL plate?

You must already have a Rhode Island registered car in order to get a PBL plate.

11. I collect old license plates, can I keep my old ones?

No, by Rhode Island law, in order to receive your new PBL plates, the DMV must be presented the two plates that are currently on your car. If you only have one plate to turn over to the DMV when you are picking up the PBL plate, in lieu of the plate you must have a police report for a stolen or missing plate.

12. Do I have to pick my plates up at the DMV?

At the beginning of the plate distribution an administrator from the DMV will be handing plates out, most likely at the Chamber of Commerce in North Kingstown. We anticipate this taking place during the summer of 2010. After the bulk of the first order of plates is distributed, new PBL plates will be available for pick-up at the DMV.

13. I'd like to get a vanity plate. Can you help me with this?

Our role is to simply replace your existing plate with a new background that includes the Plum Beach Lighthouse. If you’d like to change your current registration you must contact the DMV directly. Once you change your existing registration to the one you desire, then you can order a PBL plate provided that new plate is 5 digits or less.

14. My registration expires in July every other year. If I get the plate in June, do I have to register the car again in July?

Think of buying the PBL plate as simply replacing the look of your current one. We have nothing to do with the registration of your car, and if you get a new PBL plate in June it will come with a sticker that has the July expiration sticker on it. You will have to pay for the new registration extension for the next two years as yours expires. Whatever the expiration date sticker which is currently on your plate will still be the expiration date of your car.