Form LI-1 at a glance
What it is: The LI-1 is the State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles application for license, identification card and permit.
Who signs: Enter the applicant's signature and the date (MM/DD/YY) in section G.
What to bring and attach to Form LI-1
You must present two (2) proof of residency documents; P.O. Box addresses will not be accepted. On that list: a letter issued by a Rhode Island state agency or a federal agency approving the applicant's receipt of benefits from an entitlement program dated within the past sixty (60) days. Proof of social security number: provide your social security number on the LI-1 or CDL-1 form or a letter issued by the Social Security Administration stating that the applicant is not eligible to receive a social security number.
If you have obtained or renewed your passport within the last 6 months, please bring an additional identity document, as your passport may not verify with the national database.
Proof of a change to the name contained on the applicant's primary identity document must be demonstrated with a document issued by an authorized government agency.
A filled-in Form LI-1 example: a new non REAL ID license
How to fill out Form LI-1, box by box
Transaction type
Select the desired credential type: REAL ID credential or non REAL ID credential.
Non REAL ID credentials will have “NOT FOR FEDERAL IDENTIFICATION” on the card.
For a license, complete sections A, B, C, D, E*, F*, G.
For a permit, complete sections A, B, C, D, E*, G.
For a motorcycle, complete sections A, B, C, D, G.
For the computerized knowledge exam, choose one language: English, Spanish, Portuguese or other (including ASL); a pre-scheduled appointment is required for other (including ASL), see the website.
A. Applicant's information
In section A, complete all fields.
Enter the last name and the suffix.
Enter the RI driver's license # / R.I. ID # / permit #, the date of birth (MM/DD/YY), the gender, the social security number, the email address and the passport / employment authorization / resident alien card #.
Under residence address and under mailing address (if different from residence), enter the street address, the apt/unit # or floor # and the zip code.
Enter the telephone and circle the phone type: landline or cell.
Mark yes or no for active military and for 100% disabled veteran.
Veteran designation: YES (DD 214 must be shown, stating “honorable discharge”) or NO.
B. Place of birth
In section B, complete all fields.
C. Physical information
In section C, complete all fields.
Enter the height (ft./in.) and the weight (lbs.). Check one eye color and check one hair color.
D. General questions
In section D, complete all fields.
1. Are you a U.S. citizen? Mark YES or NO.
2. Do you want to register (or continue to be registered) as an Organ and Tissue Donor? Mark YES or NO; if you are currently registered as an organ and tissue donor, you will remain registered only if you choose YES every time.
3. Enter your party on the Party line, or check “Do not use my information for voter registration”. If you are under age 16, you will not be registered to vote. If you are at least age 16, you will be pre-registered to vote.
4. Do you wear corrective lenses/glasses for driving? Mark YES or NO.
5. I acknowledge that receiving a Rhode Island Permit, License or ID card may cancel or invalidate any Permit, License or ID Card from another state per the laws of that state. Customer must initial the line to the right of this statement to acknowledge that they have read this statement.
If you are transferring a license from another state, complete the State, Lic. #, Exp., Endorsements and Restrictions.
E*. Affidavit of lost license, lost ID or lost permit
Complete section E* only if lost permit, license or ID. You declare under penalty of perjury that the Rhode Island license, identification card or permit issued to you was lost, destroyed or stolen, and that if it again comes into your possession, you will immediately return it to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
Enter the applicant's signature and the date (MM/DD/YY) in section E*.
F*. Voluntary termination of a license affidavit
Complete section F* only if surrendering your RI license, and enter the reason for requesting termination on a voluntary basis.
Mark YES or NO for license physically surrendered.
Enter the applicant's signature and the date (MM/DD/YY) in section F*.
G. Signature
Except as authorized by law, the DMV will not disclose personal information without your consent; mark yes or no to consent to such disclosure.
By signing, you make application for either a license, state identification card or permit and declare under penalty of perjury that all statements made on this application are true and complete to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Penalties for failure to comply with the provisions of the Motor Vehicle Reparations Act may result in fines and/or suspension of license and registration.
Enter the applicant's signature and the date (MM/DD/YY) in section G.
Minor law
If a minor is applying for a permit, computerized knowledge exam or first license, the application must be signed by a parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or responsible adult. If there is no qualified parent, legal guardian or licensed foster parent, another responsible adult willing to assume the obligation imposed under 31-10-1 - 33 may sign. If the parent, legal guardian, licensed foster parent or responsible adult is not present at the time the application is submitted to the DMV, then the signature on the form will only be accepted if notarized. Court papers or appropriate documentation must be presented to the DMV when a legal guardian or licensed foster parent is signing for a minor.
The mother's/father's/guardian's signature and date are filled in. With a notary, the notary printed name, notary public signature, commission expiration date (mandatory) and commission state (mandatory) are filled in; if RI notary, the stamp must be ink and not embossed.
More rules for Form LI-1
Use black or blue ink only.
American Sign Language (ASL) computerized permit exams or selected foreign language permit exams (please refer to DMV website for details) require a pre-scheduled appointment.
Name Change, Address Change and Out-of-State Transfer
New Permit
New permit: LI-1 form, a certified birth certificate (not a copy) or proof of identity document, a driver education certificate (if under 18) and two (2) proof of residency. If you have a driving certificate that has not been approved by CCRI, you must take the knowledge exam test. If under 18 years of age and applying for a learner's permit, the LI-1 form must be notarized if parent/guardian has a different last name than applicant.
Name Change, New ID, Renewal or Duplicate
Name change: LI-1 or CDL-1 form, the current RI license or identification card and the original government issued document indicating name change (ex. marriage certificate or divorce decree); you must wait 24 hours for name change to register with the Social Security Administration. New ID: LI-1 form, a certified birth certificate (not a copy) or proof of identity document and two (2) proof of residency. RI license/ID/permit renewal or duplicate: LI-1 or CDL-1 form and one identity document; all non U.S. citizens must bring all supporting documents to be reviewed.
Address Change, Gender Change and Out-of-State Transfer
Address change: LI-1 or CDL-1 form and the current RI license or identification card. Gender change: LI-1 or CDL-1 form, the gender designation form and the current RI license or identification card. Out-of-state transfer: LI-1 or CDL-1 form, your current license from the other state and two (2) proof of residency; if the out-of-state license is not available at time of transfer you must submit a driving record or verification from the other state with an identity document (see list).
Common questions about Form LI-1
What should I do if I lost my license in Rhode Island?
If the license, ID or permit is lost, complete “Section E”.
Where do I file it?
State of Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-3024, www.dmv.ri.gov. Note: All U.S. territories driver's license transfers and RI state ID cards are only done at the DMV Cranston headquarters. These transactions are not performed at any DMV or AAA branch office.
Sources
[1] Form LI-1 (Rev. 2/21), Application for License, Identification Card and Permit, Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (the Official source link on this page).