Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 31-3.1-12. Transfer

(a) If the owner transfers his or her interest in a vehicle, other than by the creation of a security interest, he or she shall, at the time of the delivery of the vehicle, execute an assignment and warranty of title to the transferee in the space provided for it on the certificate or as the division of motor vehicles prescribes, and cause the certificate and assignment to be mailed or delivered to the transferee or to the division of motor vehicles.

(b) Except as provided in § 31-3.1-13, the transferee shall, promptly after delivery to him or her of the vehicle, execute the application for a new certificate of title in the space provided for it on the certificate or as the division of motor vehicles prescribes, and cause the certificate and application to be mailed or delivered to the division of motor vehicles.

(c) Upon request of the owner or transferee, a lienholder in possession of the certificate of title shall, unless the transfer was a breach of his or her security agreement, either deliver the certificate to the transferee for delivery to the division of motor vehicles or upon receipt from the transferee of the owner's assignment, the transferee's application for a new certificate, the registration card, license plates and the required fee of fifty dollars ($50.00), mail or deliver them to the division of motor vehicles. The delivery of the certificate does not affect the rights of the lienholder under his or her security agreement.

(d) If a security interest is reserved or created at the time of the transfer, the certificate of title shall be retained by or delivered to the person who becomes the lienholder, and the parties shall comply with the provisions of § 31-3.1-20.

(e) Except as provided in § 31-3.1-13 and as between the parties, a transfer by an owner is not effective until the provisions of this section and § 31-3.1-15, have been complied with. However, an owner who has delivered possession of the vehicle to the transferee and has complied with the provisions of this section and § 31-3.1-15, requiring action by him or her, is not liable as owner for any subsequent damages resulting from operation of the vehicle.

(f) The administrator of the division of motor vehicles shall prescribe and/or approve a power-of-attorney form which complies with § 408(d)(1)(C) of the Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act, 49 U.S.C. § 32705(b)(2), as amended, and any regulations promulgated pursuant to it, and this form may be used in connection with transfers of title under this section to the full extent permitted by federal law.