How to Get A Rhode Island Driving Record (A Complete Guide)

Is your auto insurance company asking for your RI driving record?

Maybe it’s a potential employer…

Or the court…

Or maybe you just need it for your personal use.

Whatever the case, we’ll show you how to get a Rhode Island driving record — whether online, in person, or by mail.

We’ll also talk about the types of RI driving records, how to improve yours, and understand the Rhode Island violation system.

So are you ready?

Here we go!

Types of Driving Records in Rhode Island

Unlike other states, Rhode Island keeps things simple.

There are only two kinds of driving records available:

Certified Driving Record
Non-Certified Driving Record

Certified Driving Record

You typically use a certified driving record for official purposes.

It’s what you provide courts, government agencies, or insurance companies.

Now, certified means that the Rhode Island DMV confirms the accuracy of its information.

What information?

This information:

Your personal details (name, address, SSN, etc.)
Your driver’s license class
Your tickets and accidents
Restrictions and suspensions of your driving privileges

For the most part, this will only cover the last 3 years.

However, some information will still appear in your record, regardless of how much time has passed.

These include the following:

Any violation involving a school bus
Refusing to take any driving-related chemical tests
Accidents that led to personal injuries or property damage
Exceeding the allowable speed limit by more than 13 mph
Any ticket you received, if you are a commercial driver
Violations under the jurisdiction of superior or district courts

Non-Certified Driving Record

Requesting a non-certified driving record is your best bet if you want to check what information it contains — which means it’s usually for personal use.

Like a certified copy, it only shows information from the last 3 years.

However, information is limited to your license classification, violations, and driving history.

A non-certified copy does not contain any personal details except for your name.

How to Get My Driving Record in Rhode Island

Now that you know the driving record types available in Rhode Island, let’s go through the different ways to request them:

Online
In Person
By Mail

Let’s walk you through the steps.

How to Get Your RI Driving Record Online

Great news!

You can request a certified and non-certified copy online.

How convenient!

However, convenience comes with a price.

Among the different request channels, you’ll pay a higher fee if you do it online.

If you’re okay with this, here are the steps:

Go to the DMV’s online portal for Motor Vehicle Records / Licensed Driver Records.

Provide the following information:
1. Your last name
2. Your driver’s license number
3. Your birth date
4. Your ZIP code

Follow the prompts on the screen.

Pay the $20.50 fee using a credit card. The DMV charges an additional $1.55 per transaction.

View your driving record. You can also print it if you need to.

How to Get Your RI Driving Record In Person

If you want to avoid the extra fees…

Or maybe you want a physical copy…

Then requesting your driving record in person is a better option.

You’ll have to set aside time for it, though, since you’ll have to go to a DMV office.

But if you’re running an errand anyway, you might as well drop by and get your driving record.

Here’s what you have to do:

Prepare a written request for your driving record. There is no form to use, so you’ll have to draft it yourself.

Go to a local DMV office.

Submit your written request and pay the $18.50 fee with cash, check, money order, or credit card (an additional 1.55 per transaction for a CC).

Receive your driving record.

How to Get Your RI Driving Record By Mail

If you’re not in a hurry, then you might want to consider an in-mail request.

If so, follow these steps:

Put your request in writing. Don’t forget to include these:
1. Your name (the one on your license)
2. Birthday
3. Driver’s license number
4. Address

Include a check or money order with $18.50. It must be payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Put everything in an envelope and send it to the address below:

Division of Motor Vehicles

Adjudication

600 New London Ave.

Cranston, RI 02920

Wait for your driving record to arrive through the mail.

How to Get Someone Else’s Driving Record in Rhode Island

Typically, only the record owner can request a certified driving record.

But you can get someone else’s record if they provide the necessary information.

If so, here’s what to do:

Go to the Licensed Driver Record Validation page.

Enter the following information:
1. Your name
2. The driving record validation code
3. The record owner’s driver’s license number and birth date

Follow the prompts on the screen.

How to Improve Your Rhode Island Driving Record

Securing a copy of your driving record is one thing.

Knowing what to do with the information is another.

And if there are a lot of violations on there, you may want to improve it.

Unfortunately, there’s no quick way to improve your driving record in Rhode Island — so the next best thing is to ensure you don’t rack up additional violations.

Here are some strategies you may want to consider:

Review traffic signs and signals. You’ll encounter many in the state, and familiarity increases the chances that you won’t violate any of them.

Respect others on the road. You’ll share the Rhode Island roadways with several vehicles (and people). Knowing what to do when a school bus stops or if a large truck’s on the road helps you avoid committing violations and keeps you and your passengers safe.

Don’t drink and drive (no matter how high you think your tolerance is). Although the legal limit is 0.08%, your driving ability becomes impaired even if you’ve only had two alcoholic drinks (which brings your BAC level to 0.02%).

Keep distractions out of sight, especially your mobile phone. Drivers under 18 cannot use their cell phones while behind the wheel, even if these have wireless features. However, Rhode Island’s no texting rule applies to everyone, regardless of age.

Practicing these can help you keep your record clean (or at least not add violations to it).

If you remain a safe driver for 3 consecutive years and get a ticket, you can request a dismissal due to a good driving record.

Understanding the Rhode Island Violation System

Rhode Island is one of the few states that doesn’t have a point system.

However, it doesn’t mean that there are no consequences for drivers.

You may face fines and a possible license suspension even if you commit minor traffic violations, such as speeding, disobeying traffic lights, and tailgating.

The lack of a point system also means harsher penalties for more serious traffic violations, like DUIs or leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in injury or property damage.

Besides monetary penalties, consequences may include the following:

Programs on driver improvement, attitude, or behavioral adjustment
Heavy driver’s license restrictions
Long periods of suspensions or revocations

The Wrap Up

And there you go — everything you need to know on how to get a Rhode Island driving record.

You can now choose the best way to get your record.

And with the tips we’ve shared on how to keep your record clean, or the Rhode Island violation system, we hope that it makes you a better and safer driver.