RHODE ISLAND’S TITLE LAW HAS CHANGED ***Effective March 1, 2024*** The Rhode Island DMV will no longer be accepting photocopies, images, or electronic copies of titles. All new registration and/or new title transactions will now REQUIRE THE ORIGINAL TITLE to be submitted to the RI DMV at the time the transaction takes place. Your lienholder or leasing company can send the original title to the RI DMV, ATTN: Research Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or to you directly. We highly recommend that the title and other documents are sent with tracking information to enable customers and lienholders to know when the title was received. As long as your contact information (name, address, phone and e-mail) is included with the title, the RI DMV will contact you once your original title has been received so you can complete your transaction. Be advised that this process can take several weeks for the original title to be sent to the RI DMV. Please also be advised that the RI DMV cannot request a title from a lienholder or lease company. A VIN check is required for all transactions involving an Out-of-State title/vehicle. Reservations are required for all visits. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY. For more information on RI’s new title laws, and new requirements for registration and title transactions, CLICK HERE and scroll down.
Safety & Emissions Inspections The goal of the Rhode Island Vehicle Inspection program is to ensure that the vehicles operating on the Rhode Island roadways are safe and environmentally clean. The regulations are designed to prevent continued use of defective emissions and safety equipment so that at least one time during the required inspection cycle a vehicle is inspected by qualified personnel to ascertain that the vehicle is properly equipped for continued use. All newly registered vehicles (except new vehicles) must have a valid Rhode Island inspection certificate (sticker) or pass a Safety and Emissions inspection within 5 days of registration. Failure to comply may result in registration suspension until such time as the vehicle is brought into compliance. All inspections are conducted in accordance with the state's Official Manual for Motor Vehicle Inspection. Official Manual for Motor Vehicle Inspections PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes To view the Official Manual for Vehicle Inspection in additional languages please click here. More information about Rhode Island's vehicle inspection program is available at the Rhode Island Emissions and Safety Testing web site. Customer Assistance Vehicle owners who require assistance for Issues relating to inspection suspension notices and or vehicle inspections may contact the Safety and Emission Control Office of the DMV during normal business hours at 462-5890 or may complete an assistance request online and a representative will respond as soon as possible. We ask that you please review the information contained in the FAQs section and the Suspensions section to see if your question is answered prior to requesting assistance. Online requests for assistance may be made HERE