Expired Sticker? No Suspensions Yet: Speaker Mattiello

CRANSTON, RI— House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello has asked the governor to slam the brakes on a new bid to suspend car registrations automatically, if the inspection sticker's expired. She's agreed, according to WPRI-TV and WJAR. The state had wanted to charge drivers $250 put the car back on the road. Mattiello wants the lawmakers to review the pros and cons first.

"An additional $250 fee for an expired sticker is excessive," he said and compared the charge to a "roadblock" that would prevent many Rhode Islanders from driving legally. Mattiello also said he does support compliance with the regulations.

Currently, drivers could be fined $85 at a traffic stop if the sticker is expired. Their registration could later be suspended if the car does not pass inspection. But since the Division of Motor Vehicles cut over to a new computer system, it has been sending letters to car owners if the inspection is overdue. In its revised budget proposal, DMV asked the governor for funds to suspend the registrations automatically if the sticker is expired.