RI Division of Motor Vehicles resumes full operations at all offices
Urges customers with July transactions to take advantage of grace period and to
utilize online and AAA alternatives as possible
CRANSTON, R.I. – Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles will reopen all offices
Tuesday, July 18, on a walk-in basis as the agency moves into the next phase of its
computer system launch period. Although the new system is fully operational at all
branches, heavy customer transaction volume – and longer wait times – are expected.
«The launch program begun in May has exceeded benchmarks for speed and
functionality, and we are cautiously optimistic that tomorrow’s next step will
remain on that trajectory,» said Robert S. Hull, director of the Rhode Island
Department of Revenue. «We continue adjusting both the system performance and our
demand models on a daily basis as we carefully work through a stabilization period
we expect to last throughout the summer.»
Rhode Islanders are reminded that they may not need to come into the DMV in July for
their transaction needs. Alternatives available to all customers are:
1. Grace Period for July Deadlines – with authorization from the General
Assembly, DMV Administrator Walter R. «Bud» Craddock has extended all deadlines for
July license, ID card and registration renewals through Sept. 30, 2017. Credentials
with July expirations will remain valid through this date. Police officials across
all 50 states are aware of the extension; the Transportation Security Administration
will honor expired Rhode Island state-issued credentials for domestic air travel.
2. DMV.RI.GOV – many transactions can be conducted online at dmv.ri.gov — with
banking fees waived.
3. AAA – limited DMV transactions can be completed at AAA offices throughout
Rhode Island for members and nonmembers. Learn more at:
https://northeast.aaa.com/automotive/registry-services/rhode-island.html
The Division has returned to full operation in stages, with the opening last week of
the agency’s Middletown and Woonsocket offices. Previously, online transaction
service resumed after the Wednesday, July 5 reopening of the Division’s Cranston
headquarters. DMV transaction service resumed in stages at AAA offices around the
state beginning Saturday, July 8. The Middletown office of AAA will be the last
brought online, at an undetermined date.
«The escalation of operations has gone as planned, allowing us to take this last
step with the return to the standard operating schedule at all our offices and the
resumption of walk-in service,» said Walter R. «Bud» Craddock, the DMV
administrator. «We want to caution Rhode Islanders that we expect heavy customer
transaction volume at all our offices for the remainder of July resulting in
increased wait times. Once again, we ask Rhode Islanders for their cooperation and
patience as we complete this necessary infrastructure improvement.»
Look for updates about the computers system launch at
www.dmv.ri.gov
Vehicles Facebook page @RIDMV and on Twitter @RIRevenue.