Blowout or Flat Tire | RI Division of Motor Vehicles

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.

Blowout or Flat Tire

If you experience tire failure, remember the tire is already a total loss; therefore, your task is to drive to safety:

Grip the steering wheel firmly with two (2) hands.

Ease up on the accelerator to slow the vehicle. Do not brake. Braking can cause the vehicle to swerve. Let the vehicle slow gradually.

As soon as possible, turn on your hazard warning lights (red triangle on dashboard)

Check the traffic situation as you gain control of the vehicle.

Change lanes until you reach a safe location off the highway.

Drive off the roadway slowly, braking gently.