Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV/RMV) Customer Service

Getting the Rhode Island DMV on the phone can be quite difficult, as the call center only has employees working from 8:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. However, getting someone on the phone isn't really necessary because the Rhode Island DMV has set up one of the most extensive menus of any state DMV.

When you call, regardless of whether it's during business hours or not, you're taken to an extensive menu where you can choose what kind of question you're calling about. Customers have the option to request information about driver's licenses, registration, fees, chauffeur's licenses and other pertinent topics. When I called, I chose to ask for information about out-of-state drivers moving to Rhode Island, and after making four different selections on the menu, I was connected to the automated message for that question.

I was told that all new Rhode Island residents need to get their license within 30 days, and getting your new license must be done in person at a Rhode Island DMV location. I was also told that I would need to surrender my current out-of-state license, and it must be valid to be accepted. If it had expired, I would need to show my birth certificate to get my new license.

The message went on to tell me that I would need to bring my Social Security card, proof of my Rhode Island residency and an official L-1 application form to obtain my new license. The message further explained that any restrictions on my current out-of-state license would automatically transfer to my new license and that I'd need to pay $43.50 to get my new license. The message further explained that my new license would be valid for two years, at which time I could get a five-year license. I was then presented with menu options if I had any other questions or the option to hear the message again. 

Overall, I thought this was a fantastic setup that ensures anyone who calls can easily get the information they need 24 hours a day. This system allows customers who need basic information to get it from the automated system while leaving the customer service representatives free to help people who need more in-depth assistance. The menu is fairly easy to navigate and provides basically every option a person could want for help from a DMV call center.

The system answers questions completely and seems to anticipate everything a customer who has come to that menu might ask. There's no information left out, and there's nothing overlooked. Everything that a representative might cover with you is handled fully.

If this level of service is indicative of what the Rhode Island DMV customer service reps offer, I'd feel very comfortable asking one of them for assistance if I had a more personal DMV-related issue. For general questions, calling the automated system works very well.