You can contact the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles or seek legal counsel to find out for certain how long your license can be suspended in your particular situation however to the best of our knowledge the RI DMV can suspend it indefinitely.

This state agency notes that the operator of any motor vehicle involved in an accident in this state resulting in injuries and/or property damage in excess of $1,000.00, is required to report this accident in writing, within 21 days, to the Division of Motor Vehicles.

In Rhode Island, you must carry minimum limits of bodily injury liability - $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. This means you have coverage up to $25,000 for damages incurred by any one person and up to $50,000 in any one accident should more than one person be involved. Also required is Property Damage Liability coverage with a minimum limit of $25,000.

In Rhode Island, you may decline to purchase uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage if you choose to buy only minimum limits of bodily injury and property damage liability as required by law.

Bodily Injury, Property Damage Liability, and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage are the basic coverages contained in liability policies and are mandatory under the laws of Rhode Island (with the exception as mentioned for UM). Other coverages, including those covering the automobile itself, are available at your option.

Here are the RI laws that we found that seem to apply to your situation.

Rhode Island Code 31-32-10 is titled Suspension for nonpayment of judgment and states that the RI division of motor vehicles upon receipt of a certificate copy of a judgment shall immediately suspend the license and registration and any nonresident's operating privilege, of any person against whom the judgment was rendered, except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

RI Code 31-32-14 speaks of the duration of suspension for unsatisfied judgment. Subsection (a) notes the license, registration, and nonresident's operating privilege shall remain so suspended and shall not be renewed, nor shall the license or registration be thereafter issued in the name of the person, including any person not previously licensed, unless and until the judgment is stayed, satisfied in full, or to the extent provided in this chapter, and until the person gives proof of financial responsibility.

In the event the judgment debtor fails to pay any installment as specified by the order, then upon notice of default, the division of motor vehicles shall immediately suspend the license, registration, or nonresident's operating privilege of the judgment debtor until the judgment is satisfied, as provided in this chapter.

As we mentioned the Rhode Island DMV and/or a lawyer can give you more information about your particular situation and if there is a way to get driving privileges back before you pay off the money you owe.