If you need to take care of any driving- or traffic-related chores, you’ll likely have to head to a Rhode Island DMV office to get it all done. If you don’t quite know exactly what you need to do, however, a trip to the RI DMV can easily turn into a frustrating ordeal. It’s best to do some research get accustomed to some of the most common services the DMV offers, so you don’t go into an office blind and confused.
Find Your Nearest RI DMV Location
Thanks to the Rhode Island DMV’s official website, locating your closest DMV branch is a piece of cake. The DMV site provides a list of all Rhode Island office locations, including addresses, hours of operations, and any special services they may provide. Before your excursion to an office, it’s a good idea to consult this list for any special closures and/or limitations on the services they offer.
Making an Appointment at the RI DMV
In order to expedite your time spent at a Rhode Island DMV branch, it’s smart to make an appointment ahead of time. Unfortunately the RI DMV only offers appointments by phone for road tests. However, that doesn’t mean all is lost; there are still a number of things you can do to ensure you don’t spend all day waiting for service at a DMV office. Check the Rhode Island DMV’s Online Services page to see if you can take care of your business online.
Forms of the Rhode Island DMV
Paperwork is the DMV’s best friend. More often than not, it is required to take care of most of the services it offers. Prepare yourself for a barrage of forms by researching your desired services ahead of time and familiarizing yourself with the forms you’ll need to get things done. The Rhode Island DMV conveniently collects all their forms and paperwork on a webpage for convenient viewing and printing. Completing any required forms before you get to the office will save you time once you’re there.
Rhode Island Fines and Violations
Unlike most states, Rhode Island does not employ the use of a point system or anything similar to keep their drivers safe and accountable for their actions. To remedy the lack of a point system, Rhode Island charges harsher fines and fees for accruing traffic violations – they make you pay for your irresponsibility, literally. Accumulating multiple traffic violations increases your chance of license suspension or even revocation, so you’ll have to keep yourself alert at all times on the road to minimize all your chances at misfortune.
Get Your Rhode Island Driving Record
Since the state of Rhode Island doesn’t use a point system, the responsibility completely falls on you, the driver, to keep track of your own mistakes and lapses in driving judgment. The best way to do this is to order a Rhode Island driving record. Each record lists all of your violations, and any potential suspensions you may have had. Knowing this information can give you renewed motivation to continue being a safe driver or to step up your skills and exercise more caution when behind the wheel. The simplest, most convenient way to obtain your driving record is to order it online, but you can also request one by mail or in person as well.