How to Avoid Skidding | RI Division of Motor Vehicles

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.

How to Avoid Skidding

Most skids are caused by the driver’s failure to react in time to adjust the vehicle’s speed to road and traffic conditions. When you are driving on a slippery road, you should apply the brakes by very gently pumping them and maintaining the proper speed for the road conditions (this procedure is for vehicles with conventional brakes only).

On roads that are wet or icy, you should never make any sudden changes in speed or direction. If your vehicle is equipped with anti-lock brakes, do not pump the brake. Any pumping of anti-lock brakes could cancel the feature and cause the vehicles brakes to lock up and skid.

Press the pedal firmly and maintain pressure until the vehicle stops. Know your vehicle and follow the instructions in your owner’s manual. ABS – Anti-lock Braking System is a computer controlled braking system that keeps the wheels rotating (turning) during emergency braking. Thus, the vehicle will not skid, and steering is always available to the driver. If the driver stomps on the brake and stays on the brake, they will be able to steer in the direction they want to travel. The brake (Pedal) will pulsate – this is normal for ABS systems.