R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3-13: Plates for rental or leased vehicles.

The division of motor vehicles shall issue for every passenger motor vehicle rented or leased without a driver, the same type of registration plates as the type of plates issued for private passenger vehicles. However, if the renter or lessee uses his or her own registration plate on the rented or leased vehicle, that registration plate shall be promptly returned to him or her upon termination of the rental or lease agreement. Should the registration plate not be returned, the division of motor vehicles may be notified by the renter or lessor and the registration shall be cancelled by the division of motor vehicles and the registration plate shall be reissued to the person who rented or leased the motor vehicle.