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.
Vanity Plates Important Note The time period to submit comments on which standards should be used to determine the plate messages that are appropriate for display on vanity plates is now closed. The DMV is in the process of reviewing all comments received. During this review period the DMV is not accepting new vanity plate applications. Updates will be posted here when they become available. Vanity plates are available in either the standard wave or optional sailboat plate design. Plates can be reserved online. Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table. Online Vanity Plate Reservation Service You will need a Visa, Mastercard or Discover credit card. This online vanity plate service is available only for passenger vehicles, motorcycles, and commercial vehicles under 9001 lbs. Order Your Vanity Plate Online Things to Know Initial Vanity Plate Orders are only available in Standard Wave, or optional Sailboat design, or Antique (for antique vehicles.) Additional registration and transfer fees will be due when you pick up your vanity plates at the DMV. Annual registration fees for vanity plates are higher than traditional plates. Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table. A passenger vehicle vanity plate can be any combination of two to six letters or up to six letters and numbers. A motorcycle vanity plate is any combination of two to five letters and numbers that is not already registered to a motorcycle, passenger or commercial vehicle. For a commercial vehicle under 9001 lbs, a vanity plate is any combination of two to six letters and numbers that is not already registered to a passenger vehicle, motorcycle or commercial vehicle. AAA Member Services AAA members in Rhode Island can take advantage of many transaction services at select branch offices. Learn More »