Vehicle in Water | 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.

Vehicle in Water

Should your vehicle drive into water or become stalled in a rain-swelled roadway:

Immediately remove your seat belt.

Open a window. If your vehicle is equipped with power windows, open the window before the water damages the electrical system.

Assist children out of the rear seat belts and child restraints, asking older children to assist the younger ones. Move the passengers to the front seat as calmly as possible.

Exit the vehicle and move to the roof. This will keep you as dry as possible and even in moving water, you can ride the vehicle like a boat for a short time. Once on the roof, call 911 and locate the nearest dry land.

Avoid opening your door as water will fill the inside of your vehicle and could cause your vehicle to flip onto the roof.

Should your vehicle sink before you are able to get out, climb into the rear seat. The weight of the engine will cause the vehicle to sink nose first; therefore, a pocket of air may remain in the rear of your vehicle. As the vehicle settles, take a deep breath, and climb out of the window.

NEVER RE-ENTER the vehicle to gather possessions.