Out of State Transfers

To transfer a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) from another state you must present the documents below in person at the Cranston DMV by appointment only. To be eligible to transfer a CDL form another state the CDL must be active and not expired or downgraded for any reason.

• Original out-of-state Commercial Driver's License

• A birth certificate, passport, or other birth document (see list with CDL-1) 

• Two proofs of residence (see list with CDL-1)

• Valid DOT Medical Certification  

• Completed Application for Commercial Driver's License (CDL-1)

  • Passenger (P) and School Bus (S) endorsements require Chauffeur Application

    • Including a certified driving record and criminal background check from the RI Attorney General’s Office and any state you have held a license in within the last 5 years

  • HazMat (H) endorsement requires TSA Security Threat Assessment and a CDL Test Authorization

     

Proof of Status Requirement

The Rhode Island DMV requires all CDL drivers to provide Proof of Status as a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident when applying for a CDL, renewing a CDL, updating a CDL or transferring a CDL from another state. This is required by 49 CFR 383.71. You must also have proof of Rhode Island Residency. See the checklist attached to the Application for Commercial Driver's License (CDL-1) for what is acceptable.

Acceptable Documentation for U.S. Citizen (Originals only, no copies):

• A valid unexpired U.S. passport (If your passport has been issued within the last 6 months, an additional Identity Document may be required, as your passport may not verify in the national database).

• A certified copy of a birth certificate issued by a State Office of Vital Statistics or equivalent agency in the individual's State of birth, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) issued by the U.S. Department of State.

• Certificate of Naturalization issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

• Certificate of Citizenship issued by DHS.

Acceptable Documentation for Lawful Permanent Resident (Originals only, no copies):

• Unexpired Permanent Resident Card, issued by USCIS or INS.

If you are unable to provide Proof of Status as a U.S. Citizen or Lawful Permanent Residence, you must provide:

• Unexpired Employment Authorization Card or document issued by USCIS showing H-2A, H-2B, or E-2 status.

• Unexpired foreign passport (not from Canada or Mexico) and an unexpired Form I-94/I-94A.

• Applicants under this section will receive a "non-domiciled" CDL.