Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Division of Motor Vehicles - Adopted August 2006 - Amended June 2008

Sep 20, 2026

Rules of Practice and Procedure for the Division of Motor Vehicles in Rhode Island establish administrative practices and procedural standards for the division under Rhode Island General Laws. The document explains the purpose, scope, authority, and superseding effect over prior rules, and describes how regulations were reviewed to avoid duplication and identify public health, safety, and welfare interests. It outlines key procedural matters including appearances, notices, requests for hearings, hearing conduct, decisions and orders, appeals, and processes for denial, suspension, or revocation of operator or chauffeur licenses.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages22

Reading Time55 min

AccessFree to download

INTRODUCTION

RULE 1. PURPOSE, SCOPE AND AUTHORITY

1.1 Scope

1.2 Background

1.3 Authority

RULE 2. DEFINITIONS

2.1 Definition of “Department”

2.2 Definition of “Division of Motor Vehicles”

RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE FOR THE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES Adopted August 2006 Amended June 2008 STATE OF RHODE ISLAND AND PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES INTRODUCTION These Rules and Regulations are promulgated under the authority of Chapters 31-2 and 42-35 of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, and are established for the purpose of describing the practices and procedures ofthe Division of Motor Vehicles, a division of the Rhode Island Department of Revenue. These Rules and Regulations shall supersede any and all previous Rules of Practice and Procedure that were promulgated by the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles and have been filed with the Secretary of State. Pursuant to the provisions of section 42-35-3(c) of the General Laws of Rhode Island, as amended, consideration was given to: (1) alternative approaches to the regulations; and (2) duplication or overlap with other state regulations. No alternative approach, overlap or duplication nor any significant economic impact was identified; consequently these Regulations are adopted in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of the public. The within Rules and Regulations were adopted by me as Director of the Department of Revenue on the day of September, 2008. Gary Sasse, Director Department of Revenue TABLE OF CONTENTS RULE 1. PURPOSE, SCOPE AND AUTHORITY .......................................................... 1 RULE 2. DEFINITIONS ................................................................................................... 1 RULE 3. RULES OF PRACTICE – GENERALLY ......................................................... 2 3.1 APPEARANCES...................................................................................................... 2 3.2 NOTICE ................................................................................................................... 3 3.3 REQUEST FOR HEARING .................................................................................... 3 3.4 HEARINGS ............................................................................................................. 4 3.5 CONDUCT OF HEARING ..................................................................................... 4 3.6 DECISIONS AND ORDERS .................................................................................. 6 3.7 APPEALS ................................................................................................................ 6 RULE 4. RULES OF PRACTICE – DENIAL, SUSPENSION, OR REVOCATION OF OPERATOR’S OR CHAUFFEUR’S LICENSE................................................................ 7 4.1 GROUNDS FOR DENIAL...................................................................................... 7 4.2 GROUNDS FOR SUSPENSION ............................................................................ 9 4.3 GROUNDS FOR REVOCATION ........................................................................ 10 4.4 NOTICE OF DENIAL, SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION ............................... 10 4.5 NOTICE OF PROPOSED SUSPENSION ............................................................ 10 4.6 HEARING.............................................................................................................. 10 4.7 APPEALS .............................................................................................................. 11 RULE 5. PETITIONS FOR RULE MAKING, AMENDMENT OR REPEAL.............. 11 RULE 6. DECLARATORY RULINGS .......................................................................... 13 RULE 7. PUBLIC INFORMATION ............................................................................... 14 RULE 8. SEVERABILITY ............................................................................................. 14 APPENDIX A—SAMPLE LIST OF ACCEPTABLE IDENTIFICATION APPENDIX B—DRAFT NOTICE O

FAQs

What is the purpose and scope of these rules?

They describe the administrative practices and procedures of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles and are established under Rhode Island General Laws to regulate the division’s processes. They also supersede prior related rules previously filed with the Secretary of State.

What legal authority supports the adoption of these regulations?

The document states it is promulgated under Rhode Island General Laws cited in the introduction, including provisions establishing authority for these rules. It specifically references Sections 42-35-2 and 31-2-4 as amended.

What topics are covered in the practice and procedure rules?

The table of contents lists procedures including appearances, notice, requests for hearing, how hearings are conducted, decisions and orders, appeals, and separate rules governing denial, suspension, or revocation of operator’s or chauffeur’s licenses.

Sep 20, 2026

Uploaded by Aria Callaghan