New DMV fees went into effect January 1, 2026.
Last-reviewed: March 9, 2026
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles
- As a result of the February 2026 blizzard, the following licenses expiration dates have been extended to March 31, 2026:
- Driver’s licenses, permits and ID cards, disability parking placards set to expire between February 1, 2026 and February 28, 2026.
- Vehicle registrations and inspection stickers set to expire on February 28, 2026.
- Effective January 1, 2026, car registration fees increased from $30 to $40 for a two-year registration. Annual registrations increased to $20 and driver license fees to $40. More information here.
- The RI DMV is alerting the public to an increased attempt from scammers to solicit personal information through phone calls, texts, or emails. Scams include false notices that people have unpaid tolls or violations, or that they have problems with their REAL ID. The scams also include threats of immediate enforcement if the recipient fails to respond. The RI DMV issues notices via regular mail.
- Reports about fraudulent messages can be sent to:
- Rhode Islanders can also check on the status of their DMV records by using the Online DMV Customer Portal.
- DMV appointments must be made online. Here is a full list of DMV services available online or by mail.
- The DMV issues state identification cards that may not be used for driving, in addition to driver’s licenses.
- Driver privilege cards and state identification cards are available for Rhode Islanders who are undocumented, but who have filed a RI tax return or have been claimed as a dependent of someone who filed a tax return. Download information from the DMV in English and Spanish.
- Note: State law prevents the DMV from separating its data of those with regular licenses and those with driver’s privilege cards. This measure was meant to be protective of those with driver’s privilege cards.
- As of May 7, 2025, REAL ID-compliant licenses are required to fly domestically and to enter certain federal buildings. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has this FAQ.
Providence City Hall
- Providence residents are eligible for the Providence Municipal ID Program.
- Municipal IDs are generally not accepted as substitutes for government issued IDs (e.g., driver’s licenses, passports, etc.) but may be helpful for many purposes when a photo ID is required.
Rhode Island Secretary of State
- The Secretary of State’s office offers free voter IDs for people who need identification to vote.
- To apply for an RI Voter ID, call the RI Department of State’s Election Division at (401) 222-2340 or send an email to elections@sos.ri.gov to learn more.
Unlocking Access® Resources for Care Teams
There are many ways care teams can support people with government identification-related needs. For more specific legal information and strategies, care team members who have access to Legal Key’s Unlocking Access® Hub should log in.
If you are a Legal Key partner who does not have their login information, or you’d like to learn more about how to gain access to the Unlocking Access® Hub, get in touch with us!
Spotlight on Equity
- All state agencies and their employees (or contractors) are prohibited from engaging in unlawful discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, color, religious affiliation, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, gender, sexual orientation, or political beliefs.
- The DMV may in the course of its official duties make decisions or take actions based on a person’s age, mental or physical disability, citizenship or legal status in the U.S. For example, the DMV may need to suspend a person’s license based on a health condition that impairs a person’s ability to drive safely.
- Care teams working with people who believe they have been discriminated against by a DMV employee (or contractor) can share information about the DMV Customer Service Agreement, the RI DMV Customer Feedback Form that people can complete on-line, or refer them to the RI Commission for Human Rights to file a complaint.
Key Resource
Advocacy Corner
Individual Advocacy
People need identification in order to establish their identity, pick up children from school, travel, vote, or access services like banking or public benefits. Individual advocacy might include helping people identify, obtain and organize documents required to obtain government identity.
Policy Advocacy
Gender markers on IDs and passports remains an unsettled area of law, but national organizations, such as TransEquality and Movement Advocacy Project Report on ID are working on this issue.