Rhode Island Transfer Notification Support Page

It Is Required for the Donor to Cancel Their Registration By Returning Their License Plates After the Pick-up Date of the Vehicle Donation to Release Liability.

Release of current ownership and liability occurs by returning the plates, which cancels registration.

HOW TO HANDLE THE LICENSE PLATES WHEN YOU DONATE A CAR, TRUCK, SUV OR OTHER STANDARD VEHICLE IN RHODE ISLAND

Please remove the license plates of your donated vehicle before the pick-up. The DMV requires you to surrender your license plates upon cancellation. You may cancel your plates at any DMV branch location or by mail.

Please See the Steps Below for How to Cancel Your Registration/Plates:

There are three ways in Rhoide Island to notify the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles) that you have donated your car: online, in person or by mail. You can find more information and forms for each notification method below:

1. TO CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION/PLATES ONLINE:

*PREFERRED METHOD* If possible, we highly recommend completing forms online instead of by mail, so you may easily save and print out a copy for your records that includes a date/timestamp.

Please click button below to access the online form.
Fill out the fields.
Complete, submit, and sign the form.
Important: Print and keep the confirmation page as your receipt.

Cancel Registration

2. TO CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION/PLATES IN PERSON:

Please bring your plates to any DMV branch location.
Click HERE to find your local DMV branch.

3. TO CANCEL YOUR REGISTRATION/PLATES BY MAIL:

Please send the donated vehicle's cancelled license plates, a photocopy of the registration, a copy of the registerd owner's driver's license, or other document verifying the owner to the DMV Cranston Headquarters:

Division of Motor Vehicles Attn: Plates
600 New Londong Ave
Cranston, RI 02920

*If license plates were left on the vehicle at the time of pick-up, donor can provide that explanation on the form in order to cancel insurance.

Haven't donated yet? We can help you find a fantastic Rhode Island nonprofit to donate to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When do I cancel my insurance? A. Only cancel your vehicle's insurance AFTER your vehicle has been picked up and you have notified the state that you’ve donated your vehicle. If your state requires notification, please be aware that you should never cancel your insurance prior to reporting to the state you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. This is a general rule for States/Motor Vehicle Departments that require Notification be submitted or license plates returned.

Q: Who is considerd the purchaser of my vehicle donation? Is it the nonprofit or charity? A. The purchaser of your donated vehicle is NOT the nonprofit or charity. It will either be the vendor or Charitable Adult Rides & Services, the vehicle donation program provider and partner of your nonprofit of choice.

Q. What is State Notification? A. State notification releases the vehicle donor from liability over the vehicle, including registration fees and from having to keep the vehicle insured, after the vehicle is picked up. State notification is a way for the state to create a record that the owner is no longer in possession of the vehicle. The steps needed to release your liability of a donated vehicle vary by state.

Q. Who is supposed to take care of the state notification process? A. If state notification is required, only the donor and/or owner of the vehicle can complete this process. Please do not rely on the pick-up driver or vendor to report to the State/Motor Vehicle Department that you are no longer in possession of the vehicle. If you need support, please contact the vehicle donation support team at donorsupport@careasy.org or call 855-500-7433. We would be happy to assist you.

If you have additional questions, please visit our vehicle donation FAQS.

If you would like assistance with your vehicle donation, please contact us here.

For more information on vehicle transfers, please contact your local Motor Vehicle Division:

Division of Motor Vehicles
600 New London Avenue
Cranston, RI 02920-3024

Phone: 401.462.4368
DMV Website