Registration Renewal in Rhode Island

Vehicle Registration Renewal in Rhode Island

Before your Rhode Island vehicle registration expires, you must renew it with the RI Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

On this page you’ll find information about renewing your vehicle registration online, by mail, and in person.

RI Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

The Rhode Island DMV will mail you a vehicle registration renewal notice before your current registration expires.

You must renew your non-commercial vehicle registration every 2 years and your commercial vehicle registration only for 1 year.

Every 2 years, your vehicle will need to pass a safety and emissions inspection before you can renew your registration. For more information, please see “RI Vehicle Inspections & Emissions Testing” below.

If your Rhode Island registration has been expired for more than 90 days you may need to register your vehicle again.

NOTE: If you live in Barrington, Central Falls, Exeter, or Warren, you must pay your vehicle property tax and have your renewal notice stamped by your tax assessor before you can renew your registration. You will not be able to renew online.

Lost Vehicle Registration Renewal Notice

If you’ve lost or never received a registration renewal notice, you can renew your registration either online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office drop-box.

To renew your vehicle registration without a notice by mail or in person, you’ll need:

• A completed Registration Renewal form.
• Payment for your renewal fee. (See “Fees for RI Registration Renewal” below.)

Take the above in person to a drop-box at your local Rhode Island DMV office, or mail it to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Registration Renewal
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

Renewing Your Vehicle Registration in RI

You can renew your Rhode Island vehicle registration online, by mail, or in person at a Rhode Island DMV office drop-box.

Online

Depending on what type of license plate you have, you may or may not be able to renew your registration online. The Rhode Island DMV allows you to check if you can renew online.

To renew your registration online, visit the RI DMV website and provide your:

• Name and address.
• License plate number.
• Current vehicle registration or registration renewal notice.
• Car insurance policy information.
• Credit card details. (See “Fees for RI Registration Renewal” below.)

Once you complete your registration renewal, you’ll be able to print a receipt that you can use as proof of your vehicle registration.

Online registration renewals can take up to 2 weeks to process. You will receive your new RI registration document and license plate stickers in the mail after your renewal has been processed. You can check its status by contacting the RI DMV.

NOTE: If you pay vehicle property taxes in Barrington, Central Falls, Exeter, or Warren, you cannot renew your Rhode Island registration online.

By Mail or In Person

To renew your vehicle registration by mail or in person through a DMV drop-box, you’ll need:

• Your Rhode Island registration renewal notice.
• A check for the renewal fee. (See “Fees for RI Registration Renewal” below.)

Take your renewal notice and payment to a drop-box at your local RI DMV office, or mail them to:

Division of Motor Vehicles
Registration Renewal
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

NOTE: If you are a AAA member, you can also renew your vehicle registration at a AAA office.

RI Vehicle Inspections & Emissions Testing

Before you renew your Rhode Island registration, check if you need to have your vehicle inspected for safety and emissions. If required, you must take your vehicle to a state-certified inspection station.

Visit our page on Smog & Emissions Checks in Rhode Island for more information.

NOTE: If your vehicle is registered as an antique, it does not need to pass a safety and emissions inspection.

Fees for RI Registration Renewal

Rhode Island DMV registration renewal fees vary by your vehicle’s weight and the type of license plate you have.

For a complete description of vehicle registration fees by weight, please see the Rhode Island DMV fees chart or refer to your renewal notice.

NOTE: If you have vanity or personalized license plates, you’ll need to pay additional fees when you renew.