R.I. Government Agencies | Privacy Policy |
Welcome to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Web site.
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Maximize your DMV visit: DMV lines are shorter on Tuesdays, Wednesday, and Thursdays, and during the middle of each month. The first and last days of each month are extra busy at all locations.
Reminder: DMV express service is available at R.I. Mall, Tuesday through Friday, noon to 7:30 pm, and Saturday, noon to 4:30 pm.
Click here for details on express services
Amended Rules and Regulations Governing the Structure and Use of DMV Surcharges.
-Rules and Regulations
-Notice of Public Hearing
-Concise Summary
REAL ID is one of the many new rules and regulations passed by the federal government in the wake of The Patriot Act. The Patriot Act is an Act of Congress which President George W. Bush signed into law on October 26, 2001. Passed 43 days after the September 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the Act dramatically expanded the authority of U.S. law enforcement agencies for the stated purpose of fighting terrorism in the United States and abroad. Subsequently, the REAL ID Act was signed by President Bush in 2005. The REAL ID Act establishes standards to enhance the security of licenses and identification cards and creates stricter customer vetting procedures that states must follow for establishing customer's eligibility to obtain a REAL ID. REAL ID will be required for “official purposes” as defined by DHS, such as accessing a Federal courthouse, boarding a Federally-regulated commercial airliner, or entering a nuclear power plant.While the Act describes general guidelines states must follow, much of the detail and specific requirements will be determined by federal Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is still developing the final regulations.
Reports estimate that the cost to states to implement REAL ID will be approximately $11 billion nationwide, impacting up to 245 million individuals. The most significant change to the way DMV issues licenses now will be the required scanning and authentication of so-called ‘breeder documents', or the original documents presented by an individual to obtain a license, and the linking of those scanned documents to a license record.
Governor Carcieri has indicated that he supports REAL ID implementation in Rhode Island . States complying with REAL ID must begin issuing REAL ID compliant licenses no later than May 2008. However, states that have applied for and been granted an extension will have until December 31, 2009 to begin issuing REAL ID compliant licenses.
For more information and FAQs regarding the REAL ID Act, please visit the web site of the Department of Homeland Security , or you can visit us here at our REAL ID section.
The American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA) website has useful information as well. Go to http://www.aamva.org/
The Division of Motor Vehicles in conjunction with the Audubon Society of RI and Save The Bay will issue a new plate - "Conservation Through Education". The plate will cost $41.50, with the proceeds being split equally between the two organizations.
To order the “Conservation Through Education” plate, visit www.savebay.org or call 401-272-3540 or visit www.asri.org or call (401) 949-5454.
Effective Monday, March 26th, the DMV will host a new main phone number - (401) 462-4DMV. (462-4368). A new, automated menu will give information regarding branch locations and hours, registrations and licenses, along with many other DMV main office functions.
The new number will be available for recorded information 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. Operators will be available during the DMV's regular business hours of Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM.
