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.
Cellular Phone Usage – Personal Wireless Communications Devices Drivers under the age of 18 are prohibited from using a personal wireless communication device commonly call a cell phone while operating a motor vehicle, per R.I.G.L. 31-22-11.8, 31-22-11.9, 31-22-30 and 31-22-31. This includes a prohibition from using a hands-free device or speakerphone. The only time a minor is permitted to use a cell phone is in an emergency. If you are under 18, do not use a cell phone unless you have an emergency. If you have an emergency, pull to a safe location, and call 911. Using a personal wireless communication device while driving is a major distraction to the operator of a motor vehicle. If you do use a cellular phone, take the following precautions: Decide if you really need to make/receive a call while driving. Have a passenger place the call or dial the wireless communication device when stopped. Pull off the road and in a safe location. Try not to allow wireless communications to affect your emotions, as this may affect your driving. Purchase hands free, Bluetooth or speaker type wireless communication devices. (Hands free is not risk free) Try to avoid using wireless communication devices, if possible. TEXTING WHILE DRIVING IS FORBIDDEN IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND! Evidence suggests that text messaging (or texting) often requires the driver to both look at the wireless communication device and manipulate the keypad with one’s hand. Wireless communication device penalties you need to know: If you are a minor (less than 18 years of age), you are NOT allowed to use a cellular phone while driving, as stated in Rhode Island General Law § 31-22-11.9. If you are found to be in violation of the law after a court appearance, You are subject to the following penalties: First Offense = $100.00 fine Second Offense = $150.00 fine Third and subsequent offences = $250.00 fine + lose license until 18 years of age. TEXTING PENALTIES No matter the age, you are NOT allowed to use a wireless handset to compose, read or send text message while operating a motor vehicle, as stated by Rhode Island General Law § 31-22-30. If you are found to be in violation of the law, you are subject to the following penalties: First offense = $100 fine Second offense = $150 fine Third and subsequent offences = $250 fine < previous topic ^ return to Table of Contents