How to Reinstate a Suspended License in Rhode Island

That moment of panic when you check your mail and see the blue letter from the RI DMV, or log in online to find one word: “Suspended.” It’s a stressful, disruptive experience. Your first question is, “How do I fix this, and how fast?”

The most important thing to know is that reinstating your license in Rhode Island is not a single action—it’s a checklist. Your license is not automatically restored when your time is up.

The steps you must take depend entirely on why you were suspended. This guide will show you how to find your personal checklist, the difference between the two types of suspensions, and the exact steps to get your driving privileges back.

Your First Step: Get Your Official Reinstatement “To-Do List”

Before you can fix the problem, you must get your official “to-do list” from the state. Do not guess.

• The “Blue Letter” (Reinstatement Notice): The DMV will mail an official notice to your address on file. This letter is your most important document. It will list:
  1. The reason for your suspension (e.g., “Failure to Pay,” “Point Accumulation”).
  2. The start and end dates of your suspension.
  3. A checklist of all requirements you must meet (e.g., “Pay $150 Fee,” “File SR-22”).
• If You Lost Your Letter:You must get a copy of your driving record. This is the only other way to see your full list of compliance items. We have a complete guide on how to order your Rhode Island Driving Record, which you can do online.

The Two Ways: Indefinite vs. Definite Suspensions

Your reinstatement process will follow one of these two paths.

1. INDEFINITE Suspension:
   • What it is: Your license is on hold forever until you do something.
   • Common Reasons: Failure to pay a traffic ticket, failure to pay child support, or failure to file an SR-22 for an insurance lapse.
   • How to Fix: You must clear the compliance item (e.g., pay the court) and pay the reinstatement fee. There is no “wait time.”
2. DEFINITE Suspension:
   • What it is: Your license is suspended for a specific amount of time (e.g., 60 days, 6 months).
   • Common Reasons: Accumulating too many points, a DUI conviction, or a Chemical Test Refusal.
   • How to Fix: You must wait for the full suspension period to end AND clear all compliance items (like completing a DUI class) AND pay the reinstatement fee.

CRITICAL: Your license is NOT automatically restored after your “definite” suspension period ends. You are still suspended until you pay your reinstatement fee.

How-To Reinstatement Suspended License in RI

Here are the exact steps for the most common suspensions in Rhode Island.

Checklist for: Unpaid Tickets (RI Traffic Tribunal)

This is the most common suspension.

1. Go to the RITT Website: You must first pay the original ticket and court fees to the Rhode Island Traffic Tribunal (RITT). This is a separate agency from the DMV.
2. Get Court Clearance: Once you pay the RITT (online or in person), they will electronically notify the DMV that your hold is cleared. This can take 24-48 hours.
3. Pay the DMV Fee: Once the DMV system is updated, you must pay the separate DMV reinstatement fee (see Section 4).

Checklist for: DUI / Chemical Test Refusal

This is the most complex.

1. Serve Your Suspension/Revocation Period: You must wait for the mandatory time to pass (e.g., 6 months, 1 year).
2. Complete DUI School / Alcohol Treatment: You must enroll in and complete the “Driving Under the Influence” course or any court-ordered treatment. You will receive a completion certificate.
3. File an SR-22: This is mandatory. You must contact an insurance company and have them file an SR-22 (Certificate of Financial Responsibility) with the DMV. This is a separate form proving you are insured. We explain this in our complete guide to SR-22 insurance.
4. Pay All Fees: Pay your court fines and the separate, high-cost DUI reinstatement fee to the DMV.

Checklist for: Point Accumulation (12+ points)

1. Serve Your Suspension Period: This is a definite period (e.g., 60 days). Your reinstatement letter will tell you the exact dates.
2. Pay the DMV Fee: Once your suspension period is over, you pay your reinstatement fee.

Checklist for: No Insurance (Insurance Lapse)

1. Get Valid RI Auto Insurance.
2. File an SR-22: You must have your new insurance provider file an SR-22 with the DMV.
3. Pay the DMV Fee: Pay your reinstatement fee online or in person.
4. Maintain the SR-22: You must keep this SR-22 on file for three (3) years. If you let it lapse, your license will be suspended all over again.

The Final Step: How to Pay Your Fee & Get Your License Back

Once your “to-do list” is complete, you must pay your final reinstatement fee to the DMV.

Offense	Reinstatement Fee
Unpaid Tickets (RITT)	$151.50
Point Suspension	$76.50
No Insurance (SR-22)	$301.50
DUI / Chemical Refusal	$351.50

You have two ways to pay:

Method 1: Online (Fastest)

1. Go to the RI DMV Online Reinstatement Portal.
2. Enter your Driver’s License Number and Date of Birth.
3. The system will show you the fee you owe.
4. Pay the fee with a valid credit/debit card. Your reinstatement is often processed within 24-48 hours.

Method 2: In-Person (Appointment Required)

This is the only method if the online system says you must appear or if you are paying by cash. You must have an appointment.

1. Book Your Appointment: You must book an appointment at the Cranston DMV. You can learn the full process in our guide to scheduling your RI DMV appointment.
2. Select the Service: When booking, choose “License Reinstatement.”
3. Visit the Cranston DMV: Bring your reinstatement letter and all your compliance documents (e.g., DUI course certificate, SR-22 proof) to your appointment and pay your fee.

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