VIN Inspections

The Hopkinton Police Department performs VIN checks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00am or 5:00pm by appointment only. It is free for Hopkinton residents and $30 for non-residents.

RHODE ISLAND'S TITLE LAW HAS CHANGED - *Effective January 1, 2024*

1. ALL VEHICLES coming into Rhode Island from out of state, regardless of model year, require a VIN Inspection from a local municipal police department.

2. If an out of state vehicle is being registered in Rhode Island, and the state from which the vehicle is coming is a state that required a title for that vehicle, that title MUST be in the name of the seller, properly assigned to the buyer, and be presented, along with VIN Inspection at the time of sales tax payment or registration at the RI DMV.

3. If an out of state vehicle is being registered in Rhode Island, and the state from which the vehicle is coming is a state that did not require a title for that vehicle, a valid proof of ownership (e.g. old registration, or paid sales tax form) in the name of the seller must be presented, along with a VIN Inspection, at the time of sales tax payment or registration at the RI DMV.

4. ALL VEHICLES, regardless of model year will now be issued a Rhode Island Certificate of Title upon payment of Sales Tax and/or Registration.

The Cranston Police Department has a VIN verification station conveniently located at 929 Phenix Avenue in Cranston, less than 3 miles from the Rhode Island Department of Motor Vehicles Registry. The VIN verification station is open daily, Monday - Friday, from 9:00am to 2:00pm.

RI.gov maintains a list of Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns, in the More Info section of each city or town you'll find phone numbers for local police departments. Please contact your local police department for VIN verification fees and time of operation.