Selling or junking a car in Rhode Island, step by step
- Find your title (or replace it). If the title is lost or damaged, request a duplicate from the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles using TR-2/TR-9 Application for Title.
- Pay off any loan. If a lender is listed on the title, it must release the lien before the car can change hands. See our guide to junking a car with a lien.
- Sign the title over at pickup. In a private sale, the seller signs the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale. Since January 1, 2024, Rhode Island titles used vehicles of every model year.
- Deal with your plates. The owner must cancel the registration once the vehicle is no longer in use, preferably online, and can then destroy or recycle the plates; the DMV no longer accepts plates in person.
- Tell the state and your insurer. Rhode Island has no separate seller notice that we could confirm. Keep a copy of the signed title and receipt, then cancel your insurance and registration.
How to sign over a title in Rhode Island
In a private sale, the seller signs the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale. Since January 1, 2024, Rhode Island titles used vehicles of every model year.
Official page: dmv.ri.gov. For general tips on avoiding mistakes, see how to sign over a car title.
Lost title? Getting a duplicate in Rhode Island
Duplicate titles are issued only at DMV headquarters in Cranston using the TR-2/TR-9 application, and only for vehicles with an active RI title.
- Form: TR-2/TR-9 Application for Title — download
- Available online: no
- Official page: dmv.ri.gov
More background: how to get a duplicate title before junking.
License plates after you sell
Plates stay with you, the seller, not the car. The owner must cancel the registration once the vehicle is no longer in use, preferably online, and can then destroy or recycle the plates; the DMV no longer accepts plates in person.
Source: dmv.ri.gov
Junk and salvage titles in Rhode Island
A salvage title requires an insurer's letter declaring the vehicle a total loss and classifying it as Class A (parts only) or Class B (repairable). Repaired vehicles must pass a salvage inspection.
Official page: dmv.ri.gov. Background: salvage vs. rebuilt vs. junk titles.
Selling a car without a title in Rhode Island
We didn't find an official Rhode Island page describing a no-title option, so the safest route is to request a duplicate first. Our guide to junking a car without a title covers the general options buyers may accept.
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Rhode Island title questions
How do I replace a lost car title in Rhode Island?
Duplicate titles are issued only at DMV headquarters in Cranston using the TR-2/TR-9 application, and only for vehicles with an active RI title. The form is TR-2/TR-9 Application for Title.
Do I need to notify Rhode Island when I sell my car?
We couldn't confirm a separate notice-of-sale form for Rhode Island. Keep a copy of the signed title and bill of sale, cancel your registration if required, and check with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles.
What happens to my license plates when I sell a car in Rhode Island?
The owner must cancel the registration once the vehicle is no longer in use, preferably online, and can then destroy or recycle the plates; the DMV no longer accepts plates in person.
Can I junk a car without a title in Rhode Island?
It depends on the car and the buyer. The simplest route is usually to request a duplicate title first. Our guide to junking a car without a title explains the general options.
Official sources
- Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles — homedmv.ri.gov
- Selling or transferring a vehicle titledmv.ri.gov
- Duplicate or replacement title (TR-2/TR-9 Application for Title)dmv.ri.gov
- TR-2/TR-9 Application for Title formdmv.ri.gov
- License plates after a saledmv.ri.gov
Summarized from official Rhode Island government websites in October 2026. Fees and procedures change; always confirm with the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles before you sell. This guide is general information, not legal advice.