Renewing Your CDL in Rhode Island

Renewal Notice

Because your Rhode Island commercial driver's license (CDL) requires photo identification, you must renew in person at any DMV location. Be sure to call ahead, since each office maintains different hours and different days of business.

The DMV will send you a renewal reminder about three weeks prior to your license's expiration date. You should bring this notice with you when you complete the renewal process.

This system is imperfect, however. For whatever reason, some drivers never receive their renewal notice. If this should happen to you, be assured that your current license will suffice.

Renewing Your License

To renew your Rhode Island CDL, you'll need the following:

• Your current license.

• Your DMV renewal form; don't worry if you don't have it.

• Your Social Security card (Not required if your card was previously documented and validated by the DMV when you first applied.)

• ash or personal check to pay a $51.50 license fee for 5 years, or $21.50 if you're age 68 and over.

You may also be asked to have a new medical exam.

Getting a License Upgrade

If you wish to add an endorsement or upgrade to a different class of license when renewing your Rhode Island CDL, you'll need the following:

• Your current license

• Your DMV renewal form

• Your Social Security card

• Proof that you passed the required exams for that particular license

• Cash or personal check to pay a $51.50 license fee for 5 years, or $21.50 if you're age 68 and over.

Renewing a License with a Hazmat Endorsement

If you're renewing a license with a hazmat endorsement, make sure your TSA background check is still good (it expires every 5 years). If you need a new one, get it done at least a month ahead of time. bring the following:

• Your current license.

• Your DMV renewal form.

• Your Social Security card.

• A clearance letter from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

New Federal Requirements

You must self-certify your type of vehicle operation with Rhode Island's DMV by January 2014. This means you must self-certify one of the following driving categories:

• Non-Excepted Interstate
• Excepted Interstate
• Non-Excepted Intrastate
• Excepted Intrastate

If you choose Non-Excepted Interstate, you must, in addition to a completed self-certification application, provide the DMV with a federal medical certificate.

Questions? The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's website provides detailed information.

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