March 14, 2019
Drivers advised to visit ground floor of garage located at 349 West Fountain Street, across the street from Public Safety Complex, for inspections
Providence, RI – Mayor Jorge O. Elorza, city council members, and public safety officials today announced that Providence VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) inspection services will relocate from 34 Ernest Street, to the ground floor of the Providence Public Safety Complex Garage located at 349 West Fountain Street. Services at the new location will commence on April 1, 2019, operating Monday through Friday from 7:00AM to 3:00PM.
“We want to provide drivers ample notice that VIN services in the capital city will be provided at a new location beginning April 1,” said Mayor Jorge O. Elorza. “As a reminder, those who would like assistance with city services can call the Mayor’s Center for City Services by dialing 3-1-1.”
The Elorza Administration vetted and identified the alternate location in a collaborative effort with the City Council’s Special Committee on Public Safety. Additionally, Public Works, Public Property and Telecommunications personnel and equipment housed at 34 Ernest Street will be relocated to other City-owned facilities.
“The Special Committee on Public Safety was formed to do the work that we are announcing today,” stated Chairman James E. Taylor, Ward 8. “As a lifelong public servant, I know that all working conditions are not created equally, but we have to ensure that our staff who serve this City day in and day out have a safe and clean place to work and the location at Ernest Street is not the place. This is a great demonstration of how the City Council and Mayor Elorza and his staff can work together and creatively to find solutions to the challenges at hand.”
Visitors are advised vehicles will need to travel west on Washington Street from the intersection with Dean Street to access the new space. Vehicles will then turn right and travel north on Winter Street where they will enter a clearly marked restricted travel lane only for vehicles that are on their way to the VIN Station. Vehicles will then turn right and travel east on West Fountain Street and continue forward within the marked travel lane. Drivers must ensure that they do not block any driveways should they encounter vehicles ahead of them awaiting service. Additional VIN Station traffic and service information can be found at https://www.providenceri.gov/police/vin-inspection/.
Council President Pro Tempore Michael Correia, Ward 6 stated, “I know that I have been very outspoken about the VIN station and the condition of the building where our residents have to go for this service, but it has always been about ensuring the safety of our residents and our staff that use that space on a daily basis.”
To obtain a VIN inspection, drivers must present the vehicle, original vehicle title, and a $15 money order made payable to the “City of Providence.” If there is a lien on the vehicle, a photocopy of the title must be presented. There are no exceptions to the requirements.
“The special committee worked hard to create this change, and I commend the leadership of Chairman Taylor and my colleagues,” stated Senior Deputy Majority Leader Nicholas J. Narducci Jr. “I also appreciate that the administration responded promptly, and found an alternate location that in my opinion is better suited to the needs of our employees and of our citizens that need to utilize the VIN services.”
VIN services will cease at the Ernest Street location at 3:30PM on Friday, March 29, 2019.