Lane Positions | 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.

Lane Positions

You have three (3) different lane positions within a single lane of travel by which you can position your vehicle.

Lane position 1: Vehicle in the middle of the lane. This is the safest position to drive under normal driving situations when no potential hazards exist to the left and right of the roadway.

Lane position 2: Vehicle position three (3) to six (6) inches from the left line of the lane. This is the position to drive if hazards exist to the right of the vehicle or you intend to turn left.

Lane position 3: Vehicle positions three (3) to six (6) inches from the right line or curb of the lane. This is the position to drive if hazards exist to the left of your vehicle or you intend to turn right.