Rhode Island · RI · Vehicles
Rhode Island: Can car dealerships open on Sundays?
Limited by place or day
Rhode Island allows car dealers to open for sales on Sunday only between noon and 6 p.m.
Dealer showrooms and outdoor lots may be open for selling on Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. 'Business' here means selling or trying to sell vehicles, so just storing cars on a lot does not count. Selling outside these hours is a misdemeanor.
Conditions
- Sunday sales hours limited to 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
What the law says
Motor vehicle dealers shall be permitted to have open for the conduct of business any display room or outdoor display lot where motor vehicles are exhibited on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday, between the hours of 12:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.
Sources
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-19 (Sunday business permitted) Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-23-2 (holiday business) Official · webserver.rilegislature.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, dealer licensing (Motor Vehicle Dealers License and Hearing Board)
- Website
- dmv.ri.gov
How bordering states compare
- Connecticut Sunday sales allowedConnecticut allows Sunday car sales; its old Sunday business ban is still printed but was held unconstitutional by the state Supreme Court.
- Massachusetts Sunday sales allowedMassachusetts lets stores and shops open and sell at retail on Sunday, and has no Sunday rule aimed at car dealers.
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