No motor vehicle dealer shall engage in business as a dealer in this state without a license for it as provided in §§ 31-5-6 - 31-5-10. Any person, firm, or corporation who sells or acts as a broker with respect to the sale of more than four (4) vehicles in any one calendar year shall be considered a motor vehicle dealer. Any person, firm or corporation who, prior to the retail sale of a motor vehicle, converts, or otherwise assembles, installs, or affixes a body, cab or special equipment to a chassis or who adds to, subtracts from, or modifies a previously assembled or manufactured motor vehicle, shall be considered a motor vehicle dealer.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-5-5