How To Transfer a Car Title in Rhode Island 2026
Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-12, the seller of a vehicle must execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee at the time of delivery, and the transferee must promptly apply for a new certificate of title with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). A certificate of title is issued for all vehicles regardless of model year, and all used vehicles arriving from out of state (model year 2001 and newer) require a VIN inspection from a local municipal police department before registration or titling can be completed.
All title and registration transactions are administered by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, a division of the Rhode Island Department of Revenue.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Rhode Island
The table below sets out the documentation required for a standard private-party transfer of a Rhode Island-titled vehicle.
| Document | Requirement Details |
|---|---|
| Application for Title (Form TR-2/TR-9) | Completed and signed by the incoming owner; available for download from the RI DMV Title Forms page or obtained in person at any DMV office |
| Application for Registration (Form TR-1) | Required when registration is sought concurrently with the title; submitted alongside Form TR-2/TR-9 |
| Original Rhode Island certificate of title | Must bear the seller's completed assignment, the recorded odometer reading, and the seller's signature in the space designated on the certificate; vehicles of model year 2000 and older first registered to the seller before January 1, 2024, may substitute a valid proof of ownership and bill of sale |
| Bill of sale | Required for all private-party sales; must state the sale price, vehicle description, VIN, sale date, and signatures of both parties |
| Valid Rhode Island driver's license or state-issued identification card | Applicant must hold Rhode Island residency; credentials issued by other states are not accepted |
| Proof of Rhode Island insurance | Current RI insurance coverage must be in force at the time of registration |
| Odometer disclosure | Mandated under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.2-6; recorded by both seller and buyer on the title certificate or on a separate department-prescribed form; both parties must sign confirming the mileage reading |
| Sales tax payment | Statewide rate of 7% applies to most transfers; rate basis varies by vehicle age and transaction type; payable at the DMV or in advance at the Rhode Island Division of Taxation |
| VIN inspection report | Required exclusively for used vehicles bearing an out-of-state title (model year 2001 and newer); inspection is conducted by a local municipal police department prior to DMV submission |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Rhode Island
Step 1: Seller Completes the Title Assignment at Point of Delivery
At the moment the vehicle changes hands, the seller records the buyer's full name and address, the sale date and price, and the seller's printed name and signature in the assignment section on the certificate of title. The name signed must match exactly the name appearing on the face of the certificate.
Concurrent with title assignment, R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23.2-6 requires the seller to enter the current odometer reading on a department-prescribed form or directly on the title certificate; both parties must sign the disclosure after jointly viewing the odometer. Where an outstanding lien exists, and the lienholder holds the certificate, the lienholder must either forward the certificate to the buyer directly or, upon receipt of the owner's assignment and the buyer's application, transmit the full packet, including the required fee, to the DMV.
Step 2: Buyer Collects All Required Documents
Before visiting the DMV, the buyer gathers all items listed in the Required Documents table above. Vehicles acquired with an out-of-state title (model year 2001 and newer) require a VIN inspection completed by a local municipal police department before any DMV transaction can be initiated. The out-of-state title presented must carry the seller's name and a proper assignment to the buyer.
For Rhode Island vehicles of model year 2000 and older that were first registered to the seller before January 1, 2024, the seller furnishes a bill of sale together with valid proof of ownership — such as a current or expired registration or a stamped paid sales tax form — in place of a title certificate. Vehicles of the same age but first registered on or after January 1, 2024, require a properly assigned title in addition to a bill of sale.
Step 3: Complete the Title and Registration Application Forms
The buyer fills out Form TR-2/TR-9 (Application for Title) and, when registration is also being sought, Form TR-1 (Application for Registration). The title application must include a complete vehicle description, the VIN, the new owner's name and mailing address, and lienholder information when financing is involved. All fields must be completed accurately; incomplete applications may result in processing delays.
Step 4: Remit Rhode Island Sales Tax
Sales tax on the vehicle must be paid no later than the 20th of the month following the month of purchase, independent of registration status. Payment is accepted at any DMV office at the time of titling or directly through the Rhode Island Division of Taxation in advance to meet the deadline when a DMV visit cannot be arranged in time.
The applicable rate basis depends on the transaction type and vehicle age, as detailed in the table below:
| Transaction Type | Vehicle Age | Tax Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Private party sale | 7 years old or less | 7% of NADA Clean Retail book value or sale price, whichever is greater |
| Private party sale | 8 – 29 years old | 7% of sale price (if not on the Cars of Particular Interest list) |
| Private party sale | 30 years and older | 7% of NADA/CPI book value or sale price, whichever is greater |
| Dealer sale | Any age | 7% of purchase price minus applicable trade-in allowance |
| Gift to immediate family | Any age | No sales tax; a signed letter of gift is required |
| Gift to non-immediate family | Any age | No sales tax; a signed, notarized letter of gift and completed gift affidavit are required |
Step 5: Submit the Complete Packet to the Rhode Island DMV
The assembled documents, completed application forms, and all applicable fees may be submitted through either of the following channels:
- In person: Any RI DMV office location may accept standard title transactions; matters requiring Research Office review must be handled exclusively at the Cranston Headquarters
- By mail: The complete packet with payment is addressed to the Division of Motor Vehicles, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920; checks and money orders must be made payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles; third-party and temporary checks are not accepted
The following fees apply at the time of submission. All fees include a $3.50 technology surcharge.
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Transfer Title | $53.50 | Applied to standard private-party title transfers |
| New Title | $53.50 | First-time RI titling |
| Duplicate Title | $53.50 | Processed at Cranston Headquarters only |
| Salvage Title | $53.50 | Required supporting documentation must accompany the application |
| Security Lien Statement | $53.50 | New lien recorded on the certificate |
| Security Lien Statement (change) | $53.50 | Amendment to an existing lien |
| Temporary Registration | $13.50 | Issued when standard registration cannot be finalized at the time of the visit |
| DOT Surcharge — two-year passenger registration | $40.00 | Effective January 1, 2026; increased from $30.00 |
| DOT Surcharge — one-year registration | $20.00 | Effective January 1, 2026; increased from $15.00 |
| Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) annual fee | $200.00 per year | New for 2026; added to the standard registration fee |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) annual fee | $100.00 per year | New for 2026; added to the standard registration fee |
| Hybrid Vehicle (non-plug-in) annual fee | $50.00 per year | New for 2026; added to the standard registration fee |
Step 6: Receive the Issued Certificate of Title
Following successful processing of the application, the Rhode Island DMV issues a new certificate of title in the buyer's name. When a security interest is recorded on the certificate, the title is directed to the lienholder rather than the registered owner. If no lien is present, the certificate is mailed to the new owner's address on file. Rhode Island does not require a new title application upon lien satisfaction; the lienholder's signature on the existing certificate — or on an attached letter of lien release — discharges the recorded interest.
Contact Information
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles
600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920
Phone: (401) 462-4368
Official Website: RI Division of Motor Vehicles
