Drivers in the Military

Registering Your Vehicle

Rhode Island does not cut any slack to military members on active duty when it comes to registering vehicles. No extensions are given, regardless of the situation.

If you are in the military, you are required to renew your registration before it expires. However, the state aids this process by offering online renewal. It's an ultra-fast process that requires nothing more than your registration number, insurance information, and a credit card payment. For your convenience, Visa, Discover, and MasterCard are accepted.

Renewing Your Driver's License

Rhode Island amends its rules when it comes to licensing drivers in the military. Rhode Island provides a special armed forces operator's license to any military member who is a state resident at the time of his or her admission into the service.

This special license carries no specific time frame for renewal. It remains valid during your entire time on active duty. You must always carry this license, as well as proof that you are an active military member, when driving.

Upon exiting the military, you will have 30 days to apply for a new license. No written or road tests will be required, providing you renew your license within this time frame.

Contact your nearest Rhode Island DMV office for more information about applying for an armed forces operator's license.