When you need to transfer the title of a vehicle in Rhode Island, there are specific steps you are required to take. In order to successfully transfer the title of a vehicle in Rhode Island, you need to follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be advised you may be required to submit additional documents and payments at the time of the vehicle title transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicles registered in the state of Rhode Island are required to endure emissions testing and a safety inspection within 5 days of obtaining an original vehicle registration or biennial registration renewal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle fails an emissions test or a vehicle safety inspection, you are required to have the vehicle repaired and retested. You may be eligible to receive a waiver if your vehicle doesn\u2019t pass an emissions test. New residents of Rhode Island have similar vehicle testing requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Rhode Island, gasoline-powered passenger vehicles that do not exceed a weight limit of 8,500 pounds are required to pass a smog check and vehicle safety inspection every 2 years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gasoline-powered passenger vehicles that are older than 25 years do not receive a failing status on an emissions test if they do not pass it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle falls into one of the following categories, there will be a different testing cycle than gasoline-powered passenger vehicles:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicles insured as Classic vehicles have different testing criteria. Call the Rhode Island DMV for more information at (401) 462-5890.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smog Check Exemptions in Rhode Island<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicles that fall into one of the following categories are exempt from smog checks and vehicle safety inspections:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you\u2019re buying or selling a vehicle in Rhode Island, you are required to transfer the title of the vehicle to the new vehicle owner. Vehicle buyers and sellers have specific paperwork they need to complete to successfully transfer a vehicle\u2019s title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a new resident of Rhode Island, you have 30 days to complete a vehicle title transfer and register your vehicle with the state of Rhode Island. Be advised, an RI vehicle title is only required for vehicles that are a model year 2001 or newer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you purchase a vehicle from a private seller, you must apply for an RI DMV vehicle title transfer yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To apply for an RI DMV vehicle title transfer, you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you don\u2019t transfer the vehicle title in person at your local RI DMV, you can mail the required documentation and payment(s) to the following address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Division of Motor Vehicles
600 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, you also need to register the vehicle once you title it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership in RI, the dealer will usually handle the vehicle title transfer paperwork for you and submit it with the RI DMV. Keep in mind, the only vehicles that will have a RI vehicle title certificate are vehicles that are model year 2001 and newer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you recently sold a vehicle in RI, you need to provide the vehicle\u2019s buyer with certain documents to complete the vehicle title transfer. The paperwork you need includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The next steps that are required need to be taken by the vehicle\u2019s buyer to complete the RI DMV vehicle title transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you wish to keep a vehicle, gift it to a family member, or sell the vehicle to someone else, you need to transfer the title of the vehicle. You can be the beneficiary, surviving spouse, or joint-owner, and have the legal authority to transfer the vehicle title to someone else after the vehicle\u2019s owner passes away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the owner of a vehicle passes away, the process for transferring the title of the vehicle depends on whether the vehicle title was in the individual\u2019s name as a descendant or joint ownership. If the vehicle title was solely in the descendant\u2019s name, you need to know if the estate is being probated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probate is a process that legally administers the estate of an individual who has passed away. This legal process occurs when there is no beneficiary or living spouse listed on the will. Probate is proof the last will and testament are legitimate, and it validates the deceased individual\u2019s assets and property. Probate Court determines how you need to proceed with the person\u2019s belongings according to their will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the vehicle in question is part of a probated estate, you need to follow these steps to transfer the vehicle title of a deceased individual:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are the executor or administrator of the deceased, you need to contact an attorney or Probate Court immediately to determine the next steps you need to take. Be advised, a vehicle title can\u2019t be transferred until the probate process is complete. When the probate process is completed, the heir will receive the vehicle, unless the executor was given the vehicle. If the executor was given the vehicle, they can choose to sell the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The documents you are required to have will vary slightly from one state to the next, but in Rhode Island, you must have all the following documents to transfer the vehicle\u2019s title:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the administrator of the deceased individual\u2019s estate or the beneficiary of the vehicle, you can visit your local RI title office with the above-listed documents to start the vehicle title transfer process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the vehicle in question is not in probate, the deceased individual\u2019s property can\u2019t exceed a specific amount and a certain amount of time needs to have passed since the individual passed away before the vehicle title transfer can be initiated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Beneficiaries, administrators, spouses, and joint-owners may only need to provide the death certificate and the vehicle\u2019s title to their local RI title office and have the vehicle\u2019s title re-titled. Attorneys and court orders are not required for this scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you inherited a vehicle, you need to visit your local RI DMV to transfer the title of the vehicle. You need the following documents and items to put the vehicle\u2019s title in your name:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You may also be required to provide additional documentation depending on your specific situation, such as the Administrator or executor appointed to the will, who needs to present a Notice of Appointment naming the administrator or executor. The administrator or executive is required to complete the vehicle title as the \u201cseller\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other documents that may be required include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ownership transfer section on the back of the vehicle\u2019s title needs to be left blank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be advised, you need to complete the vehicle title certificate as the \u201cbuyer\u201d and \u201cseller.\u201d The above-mentioned documents and payment(s) for the RI vehicle title transfer fee need to be submitted to your local RI DMV office in person.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Because the DMV in Rhode Island doesn\u2019t title vehicles that are model year 2000 or older, they offer alternative documentation to prove you own the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To receive alternative documentation, you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, you can only request information about a vehicle you currently own. You will need to contact your local RI DMV to see if you can submit the request form in person. If not, you can mail the form and all applicable payment(s) to the address provided on the form.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the proper documentation, you can gift a vehicle to a family member. If you\u2019re the receiver of a gifted vehicle or the vehicle\u2019s ownership is being transferred to you from a relative, you must complete a vehicle title transfer at your local RI DMV office. You will follow similar steps you take when you are purchasing or selling a vehicle when you need to transfer the title of a gifted vehicle in Rhode Island.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Find the \u201cprice\u201d section of the vehicle\u2019s title and write \u201c0\u201d. If you are the receiver of the vehicle, you may be exempt from paying vehicle sales tax. Like you would with a private vehicle sale, you are required to fill out the transfer of ownership sections on the back of the original vehicle title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the recipient of a gifted vehicle, you may owe tax on the current market value of the vehicle when they register the vehicle. You need to make sure you provide the signed original vehicle title to the city clerk to have the application for a new RI vehicle title completed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you need to transfer the title of an out-of-state vehicle in Rhode Island, you must meet different requirements. The following title transfer paperwork is required to correctly transfer the vehicle title from one state to Rhode Island:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a lien holder is in possession of your vehicle title, you need to complete an application for the release of the title, which will be sent to the DMV. Keep in mind, you may be required to submit additional information.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, only the vehicle owner can apply for a duplicate vehicle title in Rhode Island. If there was a lien on the vehicle, you need to provide the original lien release letter to prove the vehicle loan is paid off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you\u2019ve lost or damaged your vehicle\u2019s title, you will need to visit the Pawtucket DMV because this is the only DMV location where you can apply for a duplicate vehicle title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To apply for a duplicate vehicle title in Rhode Island, you need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All of the above documentation and payment need to be taken to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Division of Motor Vehicles
Research\/Title Office
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the state of Rhode Island, you are not required to apply for a new vehicle title once you have satisfied the loan on the vehicle. The lien holder will sign off on the title and attach a lien release letter. If you would like to replace the vehicle title in your name, you can apply for a duplicate vehicle title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In Rhode Island, there are different title transfer fees. These vehicle title transfer fees include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be advised you will also need to pay sales tax:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are different DMV locations in Rhode Island where you can transfer a vehicle\u2019s title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles – Cranston Headquarters<\/strong> Monday-Friday (8:30 AM to 3:15 PM) Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles – Warren Branch<\/strong> Tuesday and Wednesday (8:30 AM – 3:30 PM) Rhode Island DMV – Wakefield Branch<\/strong> Monday-Friday (8:30 AM – 4PM) Completing the Rhode Island vehicle title and vehicle title transfer forms is essential for initiating the vehicle title transfer process. Make sure you have the required signatures of the vehicle\u2019s seller and vehicle buyer in the designated areas on the vehicle title. You will also need to create a bill of sale that provides information regarding the vehicle, such as its color, make, year, and model. You also need to include the vehicle\u2019s VIN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When you sell a vehicle instead of gifting it, you need to add the proper sales tax to the vehicle\u2019s total price. There is a \u201ctransfer of title by seller\u201d on the vehicle title. In this section, you need to provide an accurate odometer reading and the vehicle\u2019s buyer needs to sign the vehicle\u2019s title in the designated spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Keep in mind, you may have to provide additional documentation, such as a valid Rhode Island vehicle insurance policy that meets or exceeds the minimum vehicle coverage limits set by the state. You may also be asked to provide a valid government-issued photo ID or a foreign passport as proof of identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a vehicle\u2019s title is signed but not transferred, the vehicle will have an open vehicle title. An open vehicle title means the vehicle\u2019s seller didn\u2019t transfer ownership of or register the vehicle in their name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
600 New London Ave
Cranston, RI 02920
(401) 462-4368<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
1 Joyce St
Warren, RI 02885
(401) 245-6957<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (Closed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4808 Tower Hill Rd Ste 106
Wakefield, RI 02879
(401) 789-1430<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>How to Fill Out the Rhode Island Title and Title Transfer Forms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>My Vehicle Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n