Official State of Rhode Island website

State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Department of Revenue

Important Fee Changes Effective January 1, 2026

DOT SURCHARGE INCREASES 

Per R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-18.1-4

Most Passenger Vehicles (Registration every 2 years)

  • Surcharge increases from $30 to $40 per two-year registration.

Annual Registrations

  • Surcharge increases from $15 to $20 per one-year registration.

Driver Licenses (Five-Year Term)

  • Surcharge increases from $30 to $40 per license issuance or renewal.

Special Plate Types

Certain plate categories (Antique, Farm, Motorcycle, Dealer, School Bus, Trailers, etc.) have their own surcharge amounts set in statute.

These amounts also change on January 1, 2026 according to the specific surcharge table in § 39-18.1-4, and will appear automatically in the total fee displayed during your transaction.

NEW ELECTRIC & HYBRID VEHICLE REGISTRATION FEES

Enacted in FY 2026 budget; codified in amendments to R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-6-1

Starting in 2026, the following fees will be applied per registration year for qualifying vehicles (these fees are in addition to the standard registration fee and DOT surcharge):

  • Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV): $200
  • Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV): $100
  • **Hybrid Vehicles (non-plug-in): $50

**This includes "mild hybrid" vehicles. A mild hybrid vehicle has a small electric motor that assists the gasoline engine to improve fuel efficiency. It cannot be driven on electric power alone and does not need to be plugged in to charge.  If you’re unsure whether a vehicle is a mild hybrid, a quick Google search can usually provide the answer.

The DMV system will automatically apply the correct EV/hybrid fee based on vehicle type and statutory definitions.

When These Changes Will Appear

  • Registration renewals expiring January 2026 or later will reflect the new surcharge and, if applicable, the EV/hybrid fee.
  • New registrations processed on or after January 1, 2026 will include the updated fees.
  • Driver license issuances/renewals processed on or after January 1, 2026 will include the updated DOT surcharge.

No action is required from customers. Fee calculations will occur automatically.