Yes. Rhode Island participates in the Interstate Driver License Compact, which means DUI convictions from other states are shared with Rhode Island and counted toward repeat-offense status. An out-of-state DUI within the 5-year lookback window can trigger Rhode Island second-offense penalties on what would otherwise look like a first offense. The conviction must be substantially similar to Rhode Island DUI to count, but most state DUI statutes meet that threshold. Defense work on repeat cases often involves contesting whether a prior out-of-state conviction qualifies under Rhode Island law for enhancement purposes.
