Drivers in the Military in Rhode Island

Registering Your Vehicle

If you are in the military in Rhode Island, you are required to renew your registration before it expires, even if you are out of state at the time. 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.

If you don't have Internet access while deployed, contact your Division of Motor Vehicles office before you leave to find out whether you can renew early, or whether you can have someone else renew for you. This may or may not be an option for you.

Renewing Your Driver's License

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.

You may also renew your standard Rhode Island driver's license online or by mail while you are stationed out of state. Your local DMV office can give you more information on renewing while out of state.