All Charity Plate Orders should now be placed directly thru the RI DMV
Please click below to download the mail in order form
Introduction
The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, (BLMA) was formed in 1993 as a non-profit organization to:
- Operate, maintain, and preserve the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum, the Tower, and surrounding buildings.
- Collect additional materials and artifacts consistent with the Lighthouse Museum’s mission to educate the public regarding lighthouse history.
- Keep the exhibits historically accurate
- Recruit and train members and volunteers to staff and maintain the Museum
- Engage in appropriate and relevant fund-raising activities to finance the work of the Association.
You can help to support the activities of the BLMA by purchasing the Beavertail Light Charity License Plate for your car. If you have a passenger car registered in Rhode Island, you are eligible to purchase the Beavertail Light Charity Plate. We need an initial order of 600 plates before the DMV will produce the plates.
Please review the “Basic Information” and “FAQs” and then scroll to the bottom of the page to complete the application form. You can complete the application online and pay by credit card or print the application, complete it, and mail it along with a copy of your registration and a check in the amount of $42.50 to Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, PO Box 83, Jamestown, RI 02835. Please write “Beavertail Plate” in the memo line of your check.
Thank you for your continuing support of the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association.
Basic Information
For a set of two plates (front and back of vehicle) the cost is $42.50. The Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association (BLMA) collects the money for the plate, and it is distributed this way:
- $20 of the order will go to the BLMA to be used towards the maintenance and upkeep of the Beavertail Light buildings, and for program development at the Museum.
- $20 of the order will go to the state to make the plates.
- $2.50 is a “technology surcharge” for the DMV.
- Note: $20 of the $42.50 is a tax-deductible charitable donation as is the $10 registration renewal surcharge.
- Only Rhode Island Passenger plates qualify for the Beavertail Light plate. Commercial, Combination, Suburban, or other similar plates do not qualify for the Beavertail Light plate.
The $42.50 fee (per set) is required to order your plates. Preferred payment is by credit card, but checks are accepted.
You can complete the application online and pay by your credit card or print the application, complete it, and mail it along with a copy of your registration and a check in the amount of $42.50 to Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association, PO Box 83, Jamestown, RI 02835. Please write “Beavertail Plate” in the memo line of your check.
A new Charity Plate needs to have 600 pre-orders to become available for distribution. Your application and the $42.50 fee will be held in escrow until we reach that goal. We will update plate orders on beavertaillight.org monthly. In the event we do not reach the 600 minimum, your payment will be refunded, if requested, or you may direct us to consider it a tax-deductible donation to BLMA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I keep my current RI License plate number?
Yes. When you switch to the Beavertail Light plate, your current plate number is transferred to the new plate. Just think of it as ordering a new background design for your existing plate.
What if I currently have a 6-digit plate?
The license plate design will allow us to take applications for up to 6-digit plates.
Can I get whatever number I want?
We can only issue plates that are currently ACTIVE. The BLMA cannot grant anyone different plate numbers. Only the DMV can do that.
Do I get charged every year for the new plate?
Yes. All subsequent two (2) year renewals of the Beavertail Light plate will incur a $10 fee, all of which will be donated to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association. The DMV will issue a check to the Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association for the $10.00.
Do I have to live in Rhode Island to get a Beavertail Light plate?
You must already have a Rhode Island registered car to get a Beavertail Light plate.
I collect old license plates; can I keep my old ones?
After the initial distribution of the Beavertail Plate, DMV will take over the orders and will mail the plates to the customers with new stickers and certificates (changing the plate design to reflect Beavertail Light). The customer upon receiving their new plates can destroy or recycle, or drop off their old plates with a note indicating they received a new charity plate.
How are the Beavertail Light plates distributed?
After the initial plate order is produced, the DMV will coordinate with BLMA to hold a “Plate Distribution Event”. At this event, you will come and turn in your old plates to get your new plate.
I’d like to get a vanity plate. Can you help me with this?
No, our role is to simply replace your existing plate with a new background that includes the Beavertail Lighthouse Design. 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 Beavertail Lighthouse plate.
Why do you need my registration?
We cannot process any applications without a valid registration. We need to be sure what you put on your application is accurate for the DMV. Without your registration, we run the risk of having your order denied.