Registration Checklist
In Rhode Island there are 8 Registration requirements
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Insurance card - Insure required prior registration
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Identifying Document
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Gross vehicle weight
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Application for registration
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Application for title
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Bill of sale
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Required sales tax
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Title / Last Registration
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Required based on cars previous registered state and year.
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VIN Inspection
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Required on all cars previously registered out of state.​
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State Inspection
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Required to pass state inspection within 5 days of registration.​​
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Identifying Documents
Rhode Island Driver's License
Out of State License with Proof of residency
Passport with proof of residency
Permanent resident card with proof of residency
Employment authorization card with proof of residency,
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Proof of residency is an insurance policy, voter registration card, or property tax bill.
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Also, a utility bill, bank statement, or payroll check form the last 60 days can be used if it contains name and address.
Gross Vehicle Weight
This will be found on the cars door sticker. It can be located by opening the front door and look at the door jamb. There should be one or two stickers. There will be information for tires pressures and vehicle weight.
Weight will be split into
Front GVWR
Rear GVWR
Total GVWR
It will usually be in kilograms (KG) or Pounds (lbs) the DMV only need total GVWR.
Necessary Registration forms
Application for registration - TR1
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Application for title - TR2 / TR-9
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A bill of sale in Rhode Island does not have to be notarized. But it does require the following information.
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Sellers name, Signature, and Address.
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Sale price of the car.
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Date of the sale.
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Buyers name, signature and address.
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VIN
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Year, make, and model.
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An odometer reading that is accurate and to date.
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It is also recommended to include body type, color, and cylinder numbers.
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Or make life easy and print out this Bill of Sale Template provided by the Rhode Island DMV.
How to fill out a bill of sale.
How to Calculate Sales Tax
Sales tax is due on a car from the purchase date. It must be paid by the 20th of the month after the car is purchased. If not, there is a penalty.
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Dealer Cars - All cars sold at dealerships require 7% of the sale price minus trade in and rebates.
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Private party cars - For cars 7 years old and newer it is 7% of NADA book value. For cars from 8 years old to 29 years old then it is 7% of purchase price. The exception of this rule is a list of cars which are considered cars of particular interest. For CPI cars 7% book value of the purchase price is taxed, whichever is higher. For cars over 30 years old 7% of book value is always taxed.
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A sales tax form will be provided by the DMV which will be filled out then.
Do I need a title?
Rhode Island law changed in 2024 which now requires all cars to have titles. However Rhode Island did not previously require titles and not all states with antiques do. This means cars before 2001 and cars from other states which title wasn't required will be issued a title but can be registered.
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All used cars from 2001 or newer will require a title. All out of state cars require title unless that state did not require a title for the car.
A Vin inspection must be done on all cars coming from out of state. Vin Inspection must be done prior to going to the DMV, they are done by police department of the city you live in or Cranston police. The Cranston VIN inspection station is easiest as it has the most hours open. Valid proof of ownership as in title or registration and bill of sale will need to be brought. The officer will compare this to the VIN stamped on the dash or under the hood and then provide a certificate.
Vin Inspections
State Inspection
State Inspection makes sure that the car is safe for roads. It costs $55 and can be done at almost any mechanic. A car must past state inspection within 5 days of registration. If the car doesn't pass the registration will be suspended. Inspection must be done after the registration as registration is a requirement of passing state inspection. With a proper pre-purchase inspection this isn't a worry. Everything we check ensures a good state inspection.
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*If a car has been previously registered and failed inspection and was never successfully passed it requires to pass safety meaning inspection must be done before registration.