Upcoming DMV Changes Will Redirect Some Islanders to Cranston

More changes at the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) means that no one in the state can take the driver's license written exam between Aug. 19 to 24 and Middletown branch customers will be redirected beginning Aug. 25 to take the written test in a new location.

Beginning Thursday, Aug. 19, the DMV's Middletown Branch will no longer direct customers to take the written tests for both the basic Driver's License and the Commercial Driver's License (CDL) at the DMV Headquarters in Pawtucket because that branch will shut down, according to the DMV website. Instead, the DMV will move those services to its new Cranston branch, at the Forand Building at 600 New London Avenue.

The Middletown Branch has offered all DMV services to the public with the exception of the Written Exam, and has had to redirect customers about an hour's drive away to the Pawtucket Branch, since the DMV consolidated its services statewide in recent years.

The new Cranston office will re-open to the public almost a week after the Pawtucket Branch shuts down on Wednesday, Aug. 25.

During the move, other DMV branch locations, including the Middletown Branch, will continue to maintain their current schedules, the DMV announcement stated.

However, the move and resulting shut-down means that the automated written exams for permits and licenses cannot be taken anywhere in the State of Rhode Island between Aug. 19 to 24, according to the DMV website.

Instead, the DMV extended business hours at the Pawtucket branch for the public to take the test before Aug. 18. The extended hours are as follows:

• Operator Written Tests: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Customers must be inside the Pawtucket building by 3:15 pm.
• CDL Written Tests: 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.

DMV officials also noted that online and mail-in transactions will continue to be accepted and processed during the move. Additionally, AAA locations will continue to accept and process DMV transactions for AAA customers. Road tests appointments will be honored during this time, and the DMV Safety and Emission Garage will remain open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Click here for additional information about changes to service at the Division of Motor Vehicles during the move.

The DMV Cranston Branch will be located at Forand Building, 600 New London Avenue. Click here for directions.