Registering a Vehicle

How to own a vehicle in

Rhode Island

as a non-US resident

Rhode Island

Address requirements

Proof of Rhode Island residency must be provided to register a vehicle in Rhode Island. Acceptable proofs of residency include a utility bill, a bank statement, a payroll check stub, an insurance policy, or a property tax bill.

Identity requirements

Rhode Island driver license or identification card required to register a vehicle in Rhode Island.

Average cost to own a vehicle

7% of the vehicle's value

Plus registration fees of:

$90.50

Presence requirements

The US states, not the national government, control vehicle ownership in the United States.

In order to own a vehicle in any US state, you must establish a presence in that state.

These are the presence requirements to own a vehicle in this state:

Address

Rhode Island address required to own a vehicle in Rhode Island.

Proof of Residency at Address

Identity

Rhode Island driver license or identification card required to register a vehicle in Rhode Island.

Cost of owning a vehicle

When you register a vehicle - apply for ownership and permission to drive it on public roads - two costs are due:

Sales tax
Registration fees

Sales tax and registration fees are due in the state in which the vehicle is registered, not where the vehicle is purchased.

These are the costs to own a vehicle in this state.

Sales tax is due where a vehicle is owned, not where it is bought - so owning a vehicle in Montana can save you hundreds (or thousands) of dollars.

Sales tax (state + local average)

7% of the vehicle's value

Registration fees

$90.50

Inspection Requirements

In order to register a vehicle (or renew a registration in this state, the vehicle must meet the following inspection requirements:

Biennial emissions inspection required. Biennial safety inspection required for vehicles older than 2 years. Rhode Island DMV personnel must verify the vehicle’s VIN if not previously registered in Rhode Island.