Q. I am a ham radio operator — how do I go about getting my call sign on my license plates? I’ve seen others out there. Is there a fee for this?

A. Those plates are called “amateur radio operator plates” and you can order a set at any DMV branch (though not at the AAA locations). According to RIGL 31-3-39, Amateur radio operator plates — “The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall issue for any motor vehicle eligible for registration as an automobile or eligible for registration as a commercial vehicle and having a gross weight of nine thousand (9,000) pounds or less for the motor vehicle of a radio amateur, other than a novice, licensed by the federal communications commission, as long as he or she shall remain so licensed, and such registration plates as issued shall identify the registrant by the station and operator “call sign” assigned to him or her by the federal communications commission. This issuance of special plates shall be in accordance with the statutory requirements relating to the registration of motor vehicles and upon the payment of the regular registration fee. Application for the special plates shall be made in advance and upon the special form or forms as the administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall designate.”

The plates can only be used on a passenger vehicle or pickup weighing less than 9,000 pounds GVW (gross vehicle weight) and you must submit a copy of your FCC license showing your call sign., and once the plates are in you will receive a postcard in the mail stating that they are ready for pickup. When you come to the DMV to pick up your plate, you must turn in your current plates and registration and be sure to get a receipt from the customer service rep. New registration fees apply and the $6.00 fee for the plate will be charged at this time. If you have one entire year remaining on your current registration, you are eligible for a refund of that one year fee.

New veteran plate

Q. I have a War Veteran plate in the old style. I’ve been seeing the new plates on the road with the service decals on them and wondering how long I have to get mine. How can I order these plates? Are my old ones still valid?

A. The new style veteran plate is getting a lot of attention. The design of the old plate has been compared to a “barber pole,” and with the passage of the new legislation in 2006, a newly designed plate was created with the American flag in the background and dark blue characters. In addition, decals specifying your branch of service — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and Merchant Marine — are affixed to the right-hand side of the plate.

For you to have your existing War Veteran plate made in the new style, you need only visit our Web site or one of our DMV offices and fill out a short application giving us your name, address, current plate number and branch of service. You will also choose the DMV branch where you would like the plate to be delivered. Once the plate is made, you’ll receive a postcard in the mail telling you the plate is ready. There is no charge for a remake ONLY.

If you are a veteran who would like to get a veteran plate, you must appear at a DMV branch office with your DD-214 showing honorable discharge from the service and your current registration and plates. We can issue you a stock plate from our plate room, and the fee is just $21.50 plus a $10 fee for the plate. Normal registration renewal fees will apply after the transfer.

Gina Antonucci Zanni, chief of communications for the State Division of Motor Vehicles, has agreed to answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state motor vehicle laws and procedures. To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask projoCars, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI, 02902. You can e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put “Ask projoCars” in the subject field. Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DMV directly and will not be answered in this column.

Confused about road rules? Or looking for a low-number license plate? You’ll find an archive of official answers to past driving questions posed by Journal readers at projocars.com