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.
YOM Requirements YOM Requirements YOM plates must maintain a dual registration; a primary plate and the YOM plate. Expiration of the primary plate will invalidate the registration of the YOM plate. Only one (1) YOM plate is required, but two (2) can be used. If only one (1) is displayed on the vehicle, it must be displayed on the REAR of the vehicle, with the primary plate displayed on the front. The primary plate must be carried in the vehicle at all times if it is not affixed to said vehicle. Both the primary and YOM registration must be carried in the vehicle at all times and must be furnished to law enforcement upon demand. YOM plates can only be displayed within the State of RI. When travelling out of state, the primary plates must be displayed. If a primary plate is a plate type other than antique, your vehicle will still require an inspection sticker. When submitting the vehicle for state inspection, only the primary plates should be displayed. ALL plates issued under this program must be approved by the Administrator of Motor Vehicles or his/her designee. Only Rhode Island plates will be considered for use. Once a plate number is used, it will not be available for ANY Year of Manufacture plate. There are no “preferred” YOM plates. They are issued on a first come first served basis. Plates of only the following plate types are eligible: Passenger, Commercial, Combination, Antique, Motorcycle, Camper, Suburban and Veteran. Veteran and military plates would require the registered owner to qualify for the use of that plate type. Commercial, Combination, Suburban, Motorcycle and Camper would only be able to be used on vehicles that would qualify for those plates. Vehicles must be at least 25 years old to be eligible for a YOM plate. Wave plates would not be considered to be used until at least 10 years after the completion of the next reissuance. Customers are encouraged to check with the DMV to ensure a plate number is available for use PRIOR to purchasing or making a particular YOM plate. Once a number is used, it will not be available. Your purchase of an expensive vintage plate will not constitute a deviation from this rule, and your application will be denied. Plates can be preliminarily approved based on the image of plate provided, but final approval is based on presentation and approval of the physical license plates. Registration of YOM plates will only be completed at the Cranston DMV Headquarters.