Registration FAQs

Can I be denied registration?

You can be denied registration by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for the following reasons: false information on your application, your vehicle is deemed unsafe, unpaid traffic tickets totaling more than $200, delinquent emission tests, or suspicions that your vehicle may be stolen.

For truck registration purposes, how does the state figure gross weight?

Rhode Island employs a simple formula that adds the weight (in pounds) of the vehicle with the weight of the maximum load to be carried.

What do I need to do if I move?

If you have moved and need to update your title or registration, you can fill out a Change of Address form. You can bring it in to the DMV office or mail it to:

• RI Division of Motor Vehicles

• 100 Main St.

• Pawtucket, RI 02860

Taking this step will update your current information on your driver’s license, and in turn, the state will update the documents on your title and registration through its computer system. There is no charge for this transaction.

However, if you need or want to get updated copies of your title or registration documents, you will need to fill out a TR-1 and bring it into the DMV or mail it to:

• RI Division of Motor Vehicles

• 100 Main St.

• Pawtucket, RI 02860

The DMV will then issue you new documents with your new address. The fee for this transaction is $6.50. You can also take care of this procedure at the DMV as long as you bring with you proof of your new address and insurance, your current registration card, and your RI driver’s license.

Are there any special requirements if my car was previously registered in another state?

If your vehicle is 10 years old or younger, you must take it to any Rhode Island police department and have its vehicle identification number (VIN) verified.

If I just bought a new car, can I transfer my old car's license plates?

It's your choice. If you've purchased a new vehicle, you can either receive new plates or pay a $15 registration transfer fee to use your old license plates.

How do I legally cancel my existing plates?

If you junk your car or decide not to replace your old one after selling it, you need to bring both plates and your registration card to the DMV's Plate Department in Pawtucket. After you complete a plate cancellation form, you will be given a receipt that you should keep for tax purposes.

I lost my title. Can I get a duplicate?

Yes. Complete the Duplicate Title Application, get it notarized, and then take it in person to the Pawtucket DMV at 100 Main St. to complete the process. The fee is $25.

How do I get duplicate registration papers?

If you've lost your registration papers, you'll need to complete an Application for Registration and Title Certificate. Mail the notarized form and a $17 fee to:

• RI Division of Motor Vehicles

• 100 Main St.

• Pawtucket, RI 02860

How do I get replacement license plates?

If your license plate or plates have been lost, damaged, or stolen, complete an Application for Registration and Title Certificate. If the plates were stolen, you'll need to also submit a copy of the police report with the application and request a change of plate numbers.

The fees for replacement range from $20 to $45, depending on the transactions needed and plates purchased. You can send the application in by mail to the address below, but you'll need to pick up the plates in person to surrender the damaged plates, if applicable.

• RI Division of Motor Vehicles

• ATTN: Plates

• 100 Main St.

• Pawtucket, RI 02860

I registered my vehicle several weeks ago and still haven't received my new certificate and stickers in the mail. What should I do?

Take your receipt to your local DMV office, which will trace your transaction and advise you of the next steps to take to obtain your paperwork.

I’ve heard the IRS honors a tax deduction that has to do with my vehicle registration fees. Is this true?

Yes. The scoop is that the IRS counts a vehicle registration fee that's based on your vehicle's value as a personal property tax, which is deductible. This is true even if your state calls the fee a "registration fee" or a "vehicle use fee." Check out page 146 of the IRS's Publication 17 for more details.

But before you start entering your registration fees on line 7 of the 1040A form, double check to make sure your state calculates the car registration fee based on the car's value. For example, if your state charges you 1% of the car's value each year as a vehicle fee, and you pay $100 based on your car's value ($10,000), then you can deduct $100. If your state charges you for 1% of the car's value, plus a bunch of other miscellaneous fees, then you can still only deduct the $100. The fees might be itemized on your vehicle registration card or registration renewal form.

Other states ignore the car's value and charge only based on the vehicle weight; in those cases, you can't take the deduction.

If you aren't sure about whether the state charges this fee or you can't find the fee, contact your local motor-vehicle office. If you have questions about taking the deduction, call a tax professional or the IRS.

What's this I hear about titling older vehicles?

Titles are no longer required for vehicles made in (or after) 1998. For more information contact Rhode Island's Registration File's section, which you can track down by calling the main DMV number: (401) 462-4368.

Do I have to maintain registration on a non-operational stored vehicle?

Check with your town government on whether it allows non-insured vehicles to be stored on public or private property. You'll be allowed to drop your vehicle's registration if the answer is yes. Otherwise, you must maintain your vehicle's registration if insurance is required.

If you were allowed to drop your non-operable vehicle's registration, you'll need to re-register when you're ready to resume driving it again. To do so, visit any DMV office making sure to bring your vehicle's old registration, your driver's license, proof of insurance, and the ability to pay all applicable fees.