01:00 AM EDT on Sunday, April 9, 2006

Darlene Leyden Walsh, assistant administrator at the state Division of Motor Vehicles, has agreed to weekly answer questions of general interest posed by Journal readers about state motor vehicle laws and procedures.

Darlene Leyden Walsh

To ask a question that would also be of interest to other readers, send a letter to Ask projoCars, Features Department, The Providence Journal, 75 Fountain St., Providence, RI 02902. You can also e-mail your question to projocars@projo.com. Please put "Ask projoCars" in the subject field.

Questions or complaints of a specific nature should be posed to the DMV directly and will not be answered in this column.

Here are some of the questions the DMV is most frequently asked, according to Leyden Walsh.

Q: I didn't get a license renewal form in the mail. Can I still renew?

A: Yes. You most likely did not receive the renewal form because your address has changed. To renew your license, you must bring your old license, your Social Security card, and proof of residency to any DMV branch location.

Q: Does the DMV have night/weekend hours so I can renew my license?

A: The DMV office at the R.I. Mall Express is open Tuesday through Friday from 12 to 7:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 12 to 4:30. If you belong to AAA, you can go to one of the AAA branches that offer DMV services on Saturdays.

Q: I lost my license -- how can I get a duplicate?

A: The DMV requires positive proof of identification in order to give you a duplicate license. You must present an original, certified birth certificate, valid passport or INS document along with one document bearing your signature such as a Social Security card, cancelled check, ATM or credit card with your name imprinted on the front, or work/school ID bearing your photo and signature.

Q: I renewed my license at a DMV branch, and have not yet received it in the mail. What should I do?

A: Your temporary license is valid for 30 days. If your license does not arrive in this period of time, you will have to go to the Enforcement Division at the Pawtucket DMV office, 100 Main St., and present your temporary license and proof of residency.