Rhode Island Driving Records

A driving record generally serves as an official record of an individual's performance and behavior on the road. Commonly known as driving history reports or motor vehicle records, these documents are typically essential in many administrative and legal contexts.

Every state is responsible for maintaining its own DMV driving records, and Rhode Island operates under its own set of regulations concerning access and usage. Understanding how Rhode Island driving records are managed is important for anyone seeking to verify their history or ensure compliance with state-specific requirements.

What Is a Rhode Island Driving Record?

A Rhode Island driving record is an official document maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) under the Department of Revenue. It outlines your history as a licensed driver, including details such as license status, traffic violations, accidents, and any suspensions. This record plays an important role in legal matters, job applications, and insurance evaluations.

Although states may use different terms, such as "driver history report", Rhode Island refers to it as a motor vehicle record (MVR), licensed driver record, or driving record abstract. Regardless of the name, the document serves the same purpose: tracking your driving status and behavior over time.

What Is The Difference Between Official MVRs and Public Driving Records

An official MVR is typically issued directly by the Rhode Island DMV and reflects the most up-to-date and generally current data from its motor vehicle database. This certified version is legally recognized and commonly used by employers, law enforcement agencies, courts, and insurance companies.

In contrast, public driving records typically provided by third-party services, such as RecordsFinder, are not official documents issued by the state. While they may contain some of the same information, these reports are compiled from public sources and are intended for general reference or informal background checks.

They may be helpful for personal use, but they do not carry the legal authority of an official Rhode Island driving record.

Why Would You Need a Driving Record?

Driving records generally serve multiple important purposes across personal and professional contexts. Here are some examples:

• Employment screening for positions that involve operating a vehicle, such as delivery drivers, commercial drivers, or employees using company vehicles
• Insurance underwriting, where insurers review driving history to determine premium rates
• Court proceedings, particularly for "good driving record" dismissals
• Out-of-state citations, where individuals licensed elsewhere are cited in Rhode Island
• Ongoing monitoring by employers and insurance companies to assess driver performance
• Verification of accuracy regarding reported violations, accidents, or license actions
• Approval processes for certain loans, vehicle leases, or car rentals
• Legal evidence in disputes or disagreements involving traffic incidents

What Information Is Included in a Driver Report?

When you request your driving report, you will typically find two types of information: basic license details and driving history data.

Basic Information:

• Driver's license number
• Full legal name
• Date of birth
• License issue date
• License expiration date
• License class
• Endorsements and restrictions
• License status
• The mailing address tied to your license

Driving Record Information:

• Traffic Violations: Typically lists citations and convictions
• Accidents: Often includes incident dates, locations, and descriptions where available
• Suspensions and Revocations: Generally records any period where driving privileges were removed

Depending on the purpose of the report, some records may also include information on driving restrictions (like corrective lenses), license reinstatement dates, or current insurance status.

Types of Driving Records Available in Rhode Island

Officially, Rhode Island generally offers only a certified driving record.

A certified driving record is an official document verifying your driving history. It is typically required for legal purposes, insurance underwriting, or employment screening.

Non-certified driving records serve as a personal reference or for informal checks. Often, these records are generated through third-party providers. While accessible online and providing a general overview of driving history, they lack official certification.

Traffic Violations and Tickets in Rhode Island

Traffic violations, including a speeding ticket, are handled through the state's traffic tribunal or local municipal courts, depending on where the offense occurred. Each citation includes instructions on how to respond.

Rhode Island traffic law outlines specific procedures for both in-state and out-of-state drivers. The outcomes of these procedures may impact your driving history, result in fines, and affect your license status.

Common Types of Traffic Violations

Rhode Island classifies traffic violations based on their severity, with penalties increasing depending on the type of offense and whether it is a repeat occurrence. Traffic violations are generally divided into two categories: moving and non-moving violations.

Non-moving violations are offenses that occur when a vehicle is stationary or not being actively driven. Common examples include parking tickets, driving without an inspection sticker, and expired license plates.

Moving violations occur when a vehicle is in motion and are further classified into felonies, misdemeanors, and infractions.

• Felony Traffic Violations: These are serious offenses and may result in significant consequences, including a minimum of one year in prison, fines not less than $1,000, restitution, community service, probation, and other collateral damages. Examples include:
  • Driving under the influence (DUI) of an illegal substance, causing serious injury or death
  • Negligent vehicular homicide
  • Fleeing accident scenes
• Misdemeanor Traffic Violations: These violations are less serious and may penalize an offender with up to 6 months in jail, $500 fines, and license suspension. These include:
  • DUI, no damage to property or injury involved
  • Careless driving
  • Reckless driving
• Traffic Infractions: These are minor offenses that penalize offenders with varying fines. If repeated violations have been committed in a year, they may trigger license suspension. Common examples include:
  • Exceeding speed limits above the posted limits
  • Red light violations or ignoring traffic lights
  • Failure to use lights at the required periods
  • Failure to yield

What To Do When You Get a Traffic Ticket

Receiving a speeding ticket or any traffic citation in Rhode Island may be stressful, but understanding your options generally allows you to respond efficiently. Whether you plan to pay the fine, contest the ticket, or recover a lost citation, the state provides several ways to handle the situation.

How To Pay a Traffic Ticket

You have a few methods for paying your ticket in Rhode Island:

• Online: Use the Rhode Island Judiciary Payment Portal to pay by credit card.
• In-person: Visit the courthouse listed on your summons to pay using cash or a credit card.
• By mail: Send a check, money order, or certified cashier's check to the court. Be sure to include a copy of your summons and clearly write the full summons number on all correspondence.

Make sure you respond by the due date listed on your ticket to avoid additional penalties or license suspension.

How To Contest a Ticket

If you believe the citation was issued in error, you may contest the ticket in court. Here is the process:

• First Appearance: You may admit to the charge and resolve the matter, or plead not guilty and request a trial.
• Trial: If you plead not guilty, the court will schedule a trial where the state must prove the violation beyond a reasonable doubt. If you are an out-of-state driver, bring a certified copy of your driving record to court.

If you are found not guilty, you may not face fines, and no violation may be added to your motor vehicle record. If you are found guilty, you may be required to pay fines, fees, and assessments. In more serious cases, the court may suspend or revoke your license or registration.

Recovering a Lost Citation

If you have misplaced your ticket, you may try to recover it by searching through the Rhode Island Judiciary Public Portal using your last name. Alternatively, contact the court listed on your summons as soon as possible.

How Does the Rhode Island Point System Work?

Rhode Island does not use a formal point system to monitor traffic violations. Unlike states that assign numeric points for each infraction, Rhode Island follows a violation-based system, where every offense is recorded directly on your driving history.

Each traffic violation is added to your motor vehicle record, forming a detailed log of your driving behavior. While there is no numerical tally, repeated or serious infractions may lead to consequences such as license suspension, mandatory court appearances, or increased insurance rates.

The state also participates in the Problem Driver Pointer System (PDPS), a national database that tracks problem drivers across all U.S. states. If you accumulate violations or have a suspension in another state, the state will typically receive that information through the PDPS.

How Long Do Violations Stay in Your Driving History?

The length of time a violation remains on your Rhode Island riding history report depends on the type and severity of the offense. Typically, violations stay for at least three years or more. Depending on the court's outcome, the violation may remain permanent.

Can You Remove Violations from Your Record?

Rhode Island offers a Good Driving Record Dismissal under RI General Law 31-41.1-7. If you have had no moving violations in the past three years, you may request a dismissal of certain traffic tickets after paying the required costs and fees. This option requires a court appearance and does not apply to commercial driver's license (CDL) holders.

In addition to this process, you may consider expungement. Expungement is a legal process that removes or seals a criminal traffic conviction from your record, allowing it to be treated as if it never occurred. This may help reduce barriers to employment, getting insurance, and other opportunities.

In Rhode Island, eligibility depends on various factors and applies only to certain arrests, misdemeanors, or non-violent felonies. To determine if you qualify, contact the Attorney General's Office or complete the online eligibility form.

How To Check Your Vehicle History

Whether you are reviewing your motor vehicle history report for accuracy or preparing for a job application, the Rhode Island DMV makes it easy to access your official record online or in person.

Online Process

Rhode Island offers a convenient online tool to request a certified driving history. To use the service, you will need:

• A valid credit card (Visa, Mastercard, or Discover)
• Your last name
• Date of birth
• The zip code listed on your license
• Driver's license number

Businesses or agencies that need frequent access to records may use subscriber services governed by the Driver's Privacy Protection Act (DPPA). This service offers a secure and expanded access to entities. Subscribers receive monthly invoices, payable by check or electronic debit, and are charged an annual subscription fee of $100 (as of June 15, 2022).

In-Person Process

If you prefer a direct approach, you may visit the adjudication office in person. Services are available Monday through Friday until 4:30 p.m. Make sure to bring valid identification and any necessary payment. In-person requests provide the same certified information as the online tool and are ideal if you want assistance.

How Much Does It Cost to Get a Driving Record in Rhode Island?

Requesting a certified driving record in Rhode Island typically costs $18 in person. You will need to bring two forms of identification to complete your request at the adjudication office. Be aware that certified copies may not be issued on the spot. You should expect at least two weeks of processing before receiving your record.

For online requests, the fee is $20.50, payable by credit card, and includes access to the same official driving history. Fees are non-refundable and cover the cost of record preparation and processing.

On the other hand, requests done through the subscriber services cost $21, which is more than the standard online request fee. This higher cost is due to the added enhanced access and technology fees. Processing time may take only a few minutes.

How To Check Your Driving History for Free

Rhode Island does not offer a free certified driving record through its official channels. All requests for official or certified records, whether made online or in person, require payment.

However, some third-party websites advertise free driving record lookup tools. These services may provide basic public driving information, but they are not official and do not meet legal or employment requirements. Always verify whether a record is sourced directly from the state before relying on it for important decisions.

For the most accurate information, you will need to pay for a certified report even if you only want to confirm details about your license status or past violations.

What Happens If You Have a Bad Driving Record?

A bad driving record in Rhode Island typically reflects a history of moving violations.

Non-moving violations, including expired registration or broken tail lights, generally do not appear unless they escalate through unpaid fines, leading to license suspension.

Importantly, parking tickets do not appear on your Rhode Island driving record, as they're considered non-moving violations. Similarly, verbal or written warnings from law enforcement officers aren't recorded on your driver history, serving only as cautionary notices without legal penalties.

How Does a Bad Driving Record Affect Insurance and Employment?

The consequences of maintaining a poor driving record may be substantial.

Insurance companies often raise premiums for drivers with violations, accidents, or DUI offenses, reflecting the higher risk they pose. Multiple infractions or serious offenses like reckless driving may result in even steeper increases or the inability to obtain coverage from certain providers.

For employment, a poor driving record may disqualify candidates for jobs that require driving, such as delivery services or commercial driving positions. Employers may view a bad record as a liability, and some may require employees to maintain a clean driving history to keep their position.

Who Can Access Your Rhode Island Driving History?

Your Rhode Island driving history is protected by the Driver Privacy Protection Act (DPPA), but certain parties may legally access it:

• You: You may request your own record with proper ID.
• Employers: May access it with your written consent, especially for driving-related jobs.
• Insurance Companies: Use it to assess risk and set premiums.
• Law Enforcement and Courts: May access it for investigations, legal proceedings, and license status checks.

FAQs About Rhode Island Driving Records

Find answers to common questions about Rhode Island driving records below.

Related Articles

When Your Driving License Can Be Revoked and What You Can Do About It?

Is Drunk Driving a Felony, What’s the Punishment, and How Many People Die From It?

What Is a Clean Driving Record, How It Affects Insurance and How to Keep It Clean

What is an Ignition Interlock Device?