Inspection Laws

Defendant appealed a decision of the Appeals Panel sustaining violations of G.L. 1956 § 31-3-1 (operation of unregistered vehicle) and § 31-38-3 (violation of inspection laws). Defendant was driving with one license plate, which belonged to another vehicle and had been suspended, and Defendant’s vehicle was not inspected. Defendant argued that, pursuant to G.L. § 31-38-5 (inspection of vehicles purchased outside the state), his vehicle did not need to be inspected until five days after it was registered. The District Court also rejected this argument because G.L. § 31-38-5 only applies to vehicles that are purchased out-of-state, and Defendant failed to introduce any evidence with respect to the place of purchase. Accordingly, the District Court affirmed the decision of the Appeals Panel.

Irwin Jacobowitz v. State of Rhode Island, A.A. no. 19-19 (October 28, 2019).pdf