How to Sell a Car in Rhode Island

The steps and process for selling a vehicle online are different in every state. Learn how to sell your used car or truck privately in Rhode Island.

Whether you live in the city of Providence, Providence county, Kent county, Bristol county, Newport county, or Washington county of Rhode Island, if you are thinking about privately selling your used car or truck, you’ve come to the right place. With an estimated half-million registered trucks and cars in the state of Rhode Island, it’s no wonder that thousands of private vehicle sellers from the Ocean State have used Autotrader to sell their car. Below, we’ve outlined the five steps and forms required for how to sell a car in the state of Rhode Island so you can sell your car quickly for the most cash.

Remember, most states consider the vehicle title a legal document, so the legal names (no nicknames) of both parties involved should be used, along with legible handwriting using black or blue ink. Mistakes, errors, and using White-Out may void the document so be careful and take your time filling it out.

Step 1: Allow the buyer to have the car inspected by a third party
Step 2: Organize and gather all related vehicle documentation
Step 3: Bill of Sale
Step 4: Transfer the title
Step 5: Remove your plates and cancel your insurance

Step 1: Allow the buyer to have the car inspected by a third party

Many vehicle shoppers who buy a car privately pay for a pre-purchase vehicle inspection conducted by a qualified and licensed auto mechanic of their choosing. Although the buyer pays for this inspection, the seller and buyer must agree on when and where the inspection is to be held. If the inspection does find any issues with the car, it is a good idea for you as the seller to keep the report for your records. Rhode Island does not require this inspection and doesn’t have any forms that need to be filled out, but it’s a good idea for the buyer to have the inspection performed prior to the purchase.

Back to top of article

Step 2: Organize and gather all related vehicle documentation

It’s a good idea to find all maintenance records, the owner’s manual and other paperwork related to the vehicle. If you can provide the buyer with extensive and detailed maintenance records, this will help provide the buyer with confidence that you’ve maintained the car in a proper and regular manner and can help you sell the car quicker. You may even want to consider including a vehicle history report from a service like CarFax or AutoCheck.

The most important document when selling a car is the certificate of title. If there is a lien on the title, the lienholder must release interest in the vehicle before the car is sold. This can be achieved either by the seller paying off the car or by getting a lien release from the lienholder.A title is only required for private vehicle sales for cars model year 2001 and newer. For older cars, the buyer can use a bill of sale to get the car registered in their name.

Back to top of article

Step 3: Bill of Sale

Rhode Island requires a bill of sale to be filled out by the buyer and the seller for private vehicle purchases. However, the Rhode Island DMV does not have an official bill of sale form. You can use a generic bill of sale form from a source like LegalZoom. The bill of sale needs to require the following information:

• Year, Make and Model of the Vehicle
• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
• Color of vehicle
• Date of Sale
• Purchase price
• Seller(s) address
• Seller(s) printed legal name and signature
• Odometer reading on the date of the sale, if applicable

The seller needs to provide the name, address, and signature of the seller, but it’s optional for the buyer. We recommend that you have the buyer provide their information and sign the bill of sale as well. After it’s filled out and signed, it’s a good idea for the seller to make a copy and hold onto it as proof that the car has legally changed hands.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) odometer disclosure requirements were updated in December 2020 impacting certain private vehicle sales in Rhode Island: For a vehicle transfer that occurs from January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2030, any vehicle of model year 2011 or newer (2012, 2013, etc.) will require an odometer disclosure. Starting on January 1, 2031, any vehicle that is less than 20 model years old will require an odometer disclosure. Previously, the NHTSA required disclosure was for only the first 10 years. Cars older than 2010 are exempt from odometer disclosures.

Back to top of article

Step 4: Transfer the title

If the vehicle’s title has been lost, stolen or badly damaged, you can get a replacement/duplicate Rhode Island title by filling out form TR-2/TR-9. With that form filed at the DMV in Cranston, RI plus a $52.50 fee you can get a duplicate title. Keep in mind, this process can take up to 90 days.

When selling a car privately in Rhode Island from model year 2001 or newer, the buyer and the seller both need to fill out the relevant sections on the back of the title. This information includes the legal name, address, and signature of the buyer and the seller(s) along with the date of the sale, and the odometer reading. When this is filled out accurately and legibly, it makes it easy for the buyer to transfer registration and acquire a new plate. If there is more than one owner showing on the title, the following number of signatures will be required based on the connection between the names: And – All persons listed must sign. Or – Either seller can sign, only one signature required. If no connection listed, it will default to “and” and all owners (sellers) must sign.

If you’re wondering about gifting a car to a relative, you’ll need to transfer the vehicle title and fill out and have notarized a Gift of Motor Vehicle Affidavit using form SU 87-65 along with a notarized gift letter in place of a bill of sale. For inheriting a car, it’s a similar process, but you’ll need to file documentation of the inheritance with the county along with the title of the vehicle in question. If the vehicle’s owner has passed away, Rhode Island provides this information to transfer a vehicle upon the owner’s death as well information for a surviving spouse.

Back to top of article

Step 5: Remove your plates and cancel your insurance

The seller must remove their license plates before handing the vehicle over to the buyer. If you do not do so, you may be liable for any violations after the buyer has taken possession of the vehicle. After the sale of your vehicle, you need to cancel your registration by returning your plates at any DMV branch. You could also mail your plates to the following address and a receipt will be mailed back to you:

RI DMV
Plate Department
600 New London Ave.
Cranston, RI 02920

Make sure to cancel your insurance as soon as possible after you’ve removed your plates so you don’t continue paying to insure a car that you no longer own.

For more information, visit the Rhode Island DMV website. The Rhode Island DMV also provides this list of frequently asked questions and list of vehicle forms which you may find helpful.

Back to top of article

Questions about selling your car in Rhode Island? We have answers.

What paperwork do I need to privately sell a car in Rhode Island?

Is a Bill of Sale required for selling a car in Rhode Island?

Do I remove my license plate when I sell a car in Rhode Island?

Does a bill of sale have to be notarized in Rhode Island?

Does a vehicle title have to be notarized in Rhode Island?