R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-4-1: Expiration of registration by transfer of interest in vehicle — Disposition of plates.

Whenever the owner of a registered vehicle transfers or assigns his or her title or interest in ownership, or whenever he or she shall request the transfer of the registration to another vehicle owned by him or her, or shall remove the vehicle from the highways of this state to be used solely upon his or her property, the registration of the vehicle shall expire. The owner shall remove the registration plates from the vehicle and forward them to the division of motor vehicles, or may have such plates and the registration number thereon assigned to another vehicle upon payment of the fees required by law and subject to the rules and regulations of the division of motor vehicles. Any corporation or limited liability company in the business of providing vehicle leasing or vehicle rental may cancel a registration by submitting a sworn, notarized affidavit to the division of motor vehicles stating that the registration plates are unavailable due to loss, theft, or other reasons.