Appointment-Only Service Here To Stay At Rhode Island DMV

CRANSTON, RI — Changes are coming to the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. After suffering as the butt of long-line jokes for decades, the organization is switching to a permanent, reservation-only system.

The DMV first changed to appointment-only at the beginning of the pandemic, when all satellite offices closed and services at the Cranston headquarters were severely limited. The Warren and Westerly branches still remain closed.

Paul Grimaldi, a spokesperson for the DMV, told Patch that the department is currently accommodating about 1,200 appointments per day, with an average wait time of 12 minutes. A new system, set to launch by the end of the summer, is aimed to make the process easier, he said.

"We have been looking at ways to maintain a 15-minute wait time as COVID restrictions relax and customer volume increases," Grimaldi said.

To help reduce demand for appointments, Grimaldi said the department is encouraging Rhode Islanders to use online services as much as possible. Documents can also be mailed or dropped off for license renewals, duplicate registrations and other requests.

"We understand the frustration some people experience in trying to get appointments," Grimaldi continued. "We accommodate people as best we can while we continue making operational changes to improve the customer experience."

While appointments are required, the DMV will accommodate the elderly and other people who may not have internet access by having them speak with a supervisor who will assist them or help them schedule an appointment for a later date, if needed.