Signed by Governor Dan McKee

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to concur with Senate passage and pass a bill that establishes local vehicle ID checks by police and car dealers and waives the fee for veterans and military members in Rhode Island.

Highlights:

• Specifies that the application for the first certificate of title of a vehicle in this state shall be made by the owner to the Division of Motor Vehicles and shall contain (Sec. 1):

• The name, residence, and mailing address of the owner;

• A description of the vehicle, including its make, model, identifying number, type of body, the number of cylinders, and whether new or used;

• The date of purchase by the applicant, the name and address of the person from whom the vehicle was acquired, and the names and addresses of any lienholders in the order of their priority and the dates of their security agreements; and

• Any further information the division reasonably requires to identify the vehicle and to enable it to determine whether the owner is entitled to a certificate of title.

• Specifies that an inspection and certification fee of $10 shall be assessed to the applicant by the city or town whose police conduct the inspection or by the licensed Rhode Island new motor vehicle dealer who conducts the inspection (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the fee shall be waived for an applicant who is a veteran or active-duty personnel, including the National Guard and military reserves (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that this bill takes effect on January 1, 2026 (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text