Driving Without Insurance in Rhode Island

Knowingly driving (or letting someone drive) a registered vehicle without required financial security can bring license and registration suspension: first offense, suspension of up to 3 months and a fine of $100 to $500; second offense, a 6-month suspension and a $500 fine; third or later offense, suspension of up to one year and a $1,000 civil fine. To reinstate, the person must pay a $30 reinstatement fee (which can be raised to up to $50) and file and maintain proof of financial security.

Police must ask for proof of financial security when investigating a motor vehicle offense or crash or when stopping a vehicle for probable cause (vehicles cannot be stopped just to check insurance). Proof may be shown on a mobile electronic device, and the officer may not view other content on the device. A citation issued only for failing to show proof is held for at least one business day so the driver can show coverage that existed at the time and have it withdrawn. Rhode Island also has an uninsured motorist identification database run by the Division of Motor Vehicles to verify coverage.

After an uninsured-driving suspension, reinstatement requires filing and maintaining proof of financial security. Proof can be a certificate of proof of financial responsibility, a bond, a certificate of deposit of money or securities, or a self-insurance certificate. Rhode Island also has a separate chapter on proof of financial responsibility for the future (R.I. Gen. Laws chapter 31-32) that applies in certain circumstances such as unpaid crash judgments.