Rental companies may use lease records to avoid toll liability

A rental company may establish that it is not responsible for toll violations, fees, or fines by giving the traffic tribunal a rental or lease agreement. This applies to rental companies that own the vehicle involved in the toll violation. The agreement serves as initial proof that the renter or lessee operated the vehicle. The rental company must provide the requested information about the vehicle operator when notified of a violation. The renter or lessee is not treated as the rental company’s agent. This provision would take effect upon passage.

Rhode Island’s turnpike and bridge authority may report a person to the Division of Motor Vehicles for unpaid out-of-state toll charges after an independent review. This applies when Rhode Island has a reciprocal toll-enforcement agreement with another state or similar tolling agency and the charges could support action for an in-state toll violation. The authority must review visual evidence and decide that the charges were imposed against the actual vehicle owner. The owner must receive written notice and have 10 days to submit information or evidence contesting the requested action. The Division of Motor Vehicles must withhold license renewals and vehicle registration actions until the debt is paid or the person follows a repayment agreement. The rental-company exception applies to vehicles owned by rental companies. After receiving proof of payment or a repayment agreement, the authority must notify the Division of Motor Vehicles within five business days, and the division must act within five business days after receiving that notice.