If you are in the market for a used car in Rhode Island, it is essential to conduct a VIN lookup. The vehicle history report reveals information about the car's history, allowing individuals to learn more about past maintenance, damages, and repairs.
In the state, there are multiple vehicle options available for its residents. In cities like Providence, Warwick, and Cranston, sedans, SUVs, and sports cars are standard vehicles to find on the road. However, in Rhode Island's rural areas, people use pickup trucks and other heavy-duty vehicles for towing and transporting farm produce and equipment around.
It is always important to know about a vehicle's history before buying it. In some cases, private sellers and automotive dealers can withhold information like whether a car was stolen, recalled, flooded, or salvaged, which is valuable information to know if a car is safe to use. Conducting a VIN lookup can help potential buyers fill these gaps and decide whether to buy the vehicle.
Rhode Island offers various options for potential buyers to look up VINs and learn more about the cars. The first way is to use the state's DMV lookup service. The NHTSA website also allows users to check a vehicle's history, such as recalls, damage status, and ownership, by entering its VIN. Rhode Island residents can also use free or paid web services that conduct VIN checks to search a vehicle's history.
VIN verification confirms the accuracy of a vehicle's VIN and whether it matches the certificate of title. In Rhode Island, VIN verification is required before registering vehicles registered or titled in another state. It is also necessary before registering cars manufactured in 2001 and after 2001.
VIN verification in Rhode Island can be done at local police stations across the state. The police departments charge a $20 fee for verifications. During verification, individuals must present various documents, including the car's original title and proof of identity.
In 2021, Rhode Island's average car ownership rate was two cars per household, which is significantly low compared to other states.
The average driver in Rhode Island has an average annual mileage of 9,961.
The most popular car in Rhode Island was the Toyota RAV4. Other popular car models in the state include the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado 1500, and Jeep Grand Cherokee.
In 2022, 72 crash fatalities occurred in the state.
In 2023, about 41 deaths were caused by speed-related crashes.
Rhode Island has one of the worst alcohol-impaired driving fatality rates in the nation. In 2022, 43.7% of accidents in the state were as a result of alcohol-related crashes.
In 2021, eight teen drivers aged between 15 and 20 were involved in fatal car crashes.
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) provides a range of motor vehicle-related services to state residents. They include:
Key resources that provide information on federal law compliance and environmental quality for drivers in Rhode Island include:
Used car buyers in Rhode Island should understand certain rules and precautions to ensure smooth transactions and registration. They include:
The Rhode Island Lemon Law covers all motor vehicles, including used cars, as long as they are sold, replaced, or leased by a dealer or manufacturer after May 11, 1984. However, the law does not protect motorized campers. Used vehicles qualify if they are within the dealer warranty or have been out of service for 15 days within the warranty coverage.
After purchasing the vehicle, individuals need to register and title it. Usually, registration must occur within 30 days after purchase or moving to the state. The state requires car buyers to present various documents to the DMV during registration.
Even though the state Lemon Law protects used car buyers, it is still advisable to conduct a VIN check. However, Rhode Island requires all out-of-state vehicles to undergo a VIN check before being titled or registered.
Before purchasing a vehicle in the state, it is important to note that Rhode Island has a sales tax of 7% on all vehicle purchases, whether new or used. Individuals must pay the sales tax before registering or titling a vehicle at the DMV,
Performing a VIN check in Rhode Island can be crucial for the following reasons:
If a person is looking to buy a used vehicle in Rhode Island, they can use the following services to look up its VIN:
The state's DMV keeps motor vehicle records open to the public. The VIN check includes all vehicles previously registered and titled in the state. However, the database will not have any history before the vehicle is registered and titled in Rhode Island.
People can apply for a VIN check through the local police department. When residents want to look up a VIN, they should provide:
The NHTSA website is another easily accessible resource for checking a vehicle's VIN number. Rhode Islanders can use the VIN Recall service to check if a vehicle was recalled, salvaged, or flooded. Additionally, they can use the VIN Decoder lookup to verify if the vehicle's information matches its title, preventing cases of fraud.
Finally, Rhode Island residents can search for a car's history on the InfoTracer website using its VIN. The website contains copies of freely available public records, including vehicle details that a person can use before making a purchasing decision.
Rhode Island does not have documented guidelines for VIN replacement. The best course of action is to contact the local law enforcement agency, the nearest DMV office, or the online customer portal for more information. However, car owners whose VINs have been changed or tampered with will be fined.
New car owners are required to register their vehicles within 30 days of purchase if they want to avoid penalties. People should visit the local DMV office if they want to register a new vehicle. Here are a few things that a person should bring with them to the office:
Rhode Island requires residents to transfer their certificate of title within 30 days of purchase to avoid penalties. During the title transfer, the new owner will receive the car's details, including the VIN.
The Rhode Island DMV handles car title transfers. When requesting a title transfer, the new owner must present the following documents:
A Rhode Island vehicle history report includes details about the vehicle's title history, information on past accidents, records of vehicle inspections, recalls, and maintenance, and odometer readings.
Individuals may use free and paid third-party services to look up license plates. After entering a vehicle's license plate number, they receive information about it, including the VIN.
The state requires individuals who register their cars in the state to pass a Vehicle Safety and Emissions inspection within five days of registration. If the vehicle is new, it does not have to undergo inspection. Similarly, vehicles with a state inspection sticker/certificate do not have to undergo inception.
In Rhode Island, all out-of-state vehicles must be inspected before getting titled or registered in the state. Car owners can expect the following information after conducting a vehicle inspection report in Rhode Island:
The report may also cover exhaust system components for emissions inspections to verify compliance with environmental regulations.