The American Automobile Association (AAA) in Rhode Island has stopped providing its DMV services to non-members throughout the state. For a short period of time, the AAA allowed RI residents to conduct certain DMV transactions at AAA branches across the state.
The temporary program was initiated to help the state Division of Motor Vehicles transition into a new computer system, which forced them to shut down for part of July. The old RI DMV computer system was initialized over 40 years ago, according to DMV officials.
Starting August 1, 2017, RI residents who would like to perform motor vehicle registry transactions through AAA offices will need to become members of the association.
“AAA has proven through the years to be a valuable partner for the Division. We expect this relationship to benefit Rhode Islanders for many years to come,” said DMV administrator Walter “Bud” Craddock.
The partnership between the RI DMV and the AAA was originally announced back in May. Residents were able to complete over 20 different types of transactions at any of the eight AAA offices located throughout the state.
Some of the DMV transactions that were allowed included renewals of driver’s licenses and car registrations.
The RI DMV processes approximately 1.6 million transactions annually, including those that are handled at AAA locations throughout the state.
The AAA provides many services for its members, including roadside assistance, auto insurance and help with vacation planning. To properly register to become a member of AAA, residents can either visit a local AAA branch or apply entirely online through the association’s official website.
Most AAA branches offer different plans, including the classic (or basic), plus and premier memberships. The plus and premier memberships cost more, but come with additional perks, such as additional free towing or free travel insurance under certain conditions.
Rhode Island officials have confirmed that the new computer system replacement has officially launched and all the RI DMV offices have returned to their full operation capabilities.
The Department of Revenue Director Robert Hull says residents who seek to conduct transactions will still need to secure a reservation through the DMV official website’s customer reservations portal in order to speed up their visit.
Residents can still visit any DMV office through a walk-in service if desired, but should expect to wait in long lines and long wait times due to the DMV’s recess.
Last year, the state of Rhode Island sued the California-based multinational enterprise information technology company Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co. over the unfinished project to replace the agency’s 40-year-old computer system. RI settled with the company in April of this year.
The new computer system reportedly cost the state about $19 million dollars to initialize, according to state officials.