Rhode Island auto repair regulations.

Rhode Island DBR set January 1, 2025 as the expiration date for specified I-CAR courses that had previously qualified toward auto body technician certification requirements. Those courses can no longer be used to satisfy the listed technician certification categories after that date.

Rhode Island DBR said on December 2, 2024 that because manufacturers no longer issue stand-alone aluminum or high-strength-steel certifications, a shop's manufacturer certification can satisfy the Class A certification requirement when it includes the relevant repair and refinishing training. DBR also described temporary website-listing evidence when the certificate document has not yet been obtained.

Rhode Island Chapter 416 of the 2024 Public Laws took effect October 1, 2024. For vehicles more than 48 months but less than 72 months from manufacture, an insurer may not refuse OEM parts when negotiating repairs if the repairer has the vehicle owner's written consent to install OEM parts.

Effective July 1, 2019, Rhode Island's hard-to-dispose material tax doubled: tires from $0.50 to $1.00, lubricating oil from $0.05 to $0.10 per quart, antifreeze from $0.10 to $0.20 per gallon and organic solvents from $0.0025 to $0.005 per gallon. These remain the current rates.