Rhode Island Department of Transportation

1. Where is the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)?

In Rhode Island, the Department of Transportation and the Division of Motor Vehicles are completely separate departments of state government. The Division of Motor Vehicles has a website on which DMV information can be found.

If your question concerns auto registration, vehicle titles, insurance requirements, financial responsibility, accident reports, automobile dealers' license and regulation, disability plates, driver's licenses and renewals, handicapped plates, learner's permit and first license, license examinations, license suspension/reinstatement, oversize permits, plates, road test, safety and emission control, motor vehicle sales tax, school bus safety, or commercial drivers' licenses, go to their website

If your question concerns emissions and safety inspections, please visit the Rhode Island Inspection Page
If your question concerns driver's education in Rhode Island please visit the CCRI Driver's Education Page.

2. How do I file a damage claim with the State?

The Department’s Highway and Bridge Maintenance Claims Section provides detailed instructions on filing a claim through its automated, 24 hour Claims Line at 734-4817.

Note: Timeliness is important - Notice of a pothole claim must be postmarked or received within 7 days of the incident.

3. What are the primary mailing addresses and phone numbers for RIDOT?

4. Where can I find the traffic count on a certain state road?

RIDOT posts its popular "Traffic Flow" map online at http://www.dot.ri.gov/projects/gis/maps/sm02.pdf. Once you have the map open, use the Acrobat tools to zoom and pan the map to find the location you are seeking.

5. Can I get free state maps from the RIDOT?

The distribution of free Rhode Island road maps is handled by the Rhode Island Tourism Department (Visit Rhode Island). Please contact them toll free 24 hours a day at (800) 556-2484 or send an email to visitrhodeisland@riedc.com. RIDOT does offer digital and print versions of all GIS Maps. Available maps include state highway maps, traffic flow, and area maps. A complete list is available at the GIS Digital Maps page.

6. Where are the Park & Ride Facillities?

Click here for a list of all Park & Ride facilities.

7. Who can I contact with questions regarding utility permits?

All inquiries about utility permits are handled by the Transportation Development section. They can be contacted at (401) 222-2482 ext. 4820.

Posted bridges are available in the engineering section of our site. They are available via a pdf map as well as via a table displaying a list of all bridges.

9. Where does the Rhode Island Department of Transportation get its funding?

In 2005, President George W. Bush signed a $286.5 billion transportation reauthorization bill.  More information on the funding legislation. Funding and earmarks for Rhode Island.

10. How can I request to have tree limbs trimmed from around my power lines?

This service is not provided by the Rhode Island DOT. Please contact the power company that services your area and they will be able to help you.

11. Can the RIDOT get me a truck driver's health card?

No, this process is handled by Rhode Island Trucker Owner's Association. Please call them for more details at 401-729-5210.

12. Where can I get a Hoisting Engineer/Heavy Lifter's License?

This is not handled by RIDOT. Please contact the Rhode Island Department of Labor at (401) 462-1860 or (401) 243-9100 for more information.

13. How can I request to have roads or crosswalks re-striped?

For requests for repainting of crosswalks and re-striping of roads please contact Anthony DeAngelis at (401) 222-2378 extension 4881.

14. How can I get an oversized load permit?

These permits are not handled by the Rhode Island DOT. To get a permit please contact the Rhode Island DMV at (401) 588-3011.

15. What are those signs all over Rhode Island?

The symbols, seen at left, mark historic Washington Rochambeau Revolutonary Route through Rhode Island. For more information, click here.