§ 31-10-5 - Special restrictions for drivers for compensation.
SECTION 31-10-5
§ 31-10-5 Special restrictions for driversfor compensation. – (a) No person who is under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall drive anyschool bus transporting school children or any motor vehicle when in use forthe transportation of persons or property for compensation nor in either eventuntil he or she has been licensed as a chauffeur for either purpose and thelicense so indicates. Colleges and universities shall be exempt from therequirement for a public plate for vehicles used to shuttle only students oremployees to various points within the college or university campus or if acollege or university owned or leased vehicle is used for the occasionaltransportation of college or university employees or students either on or offcampus provided that the vehicle is operated by a college or universityemployee possessing a valid Rhode Island chauffeur's license or a commercialdrivers license with a passenger endorsement. Provided, however, that thecollege or university shall operate the shuttle service and there shall be nospecific charge for the transportation of students or employees. The divisionof motor vehicles shall not issue a chauffeur's license for either purposeunless the applicant has had at least one year of driving experience prior tothe application, and has filed with the division of motor vehicles one or morecertificates signed by a total of at least three (3) responsible people to whomhe or she is well known certifying to the applicant's good character and habitsand the administrator of the division of motor vehicles is fully satisfied asto the applicant's competency and fitness to be so employed.
(b) In addition to the requirements provided in subsection(a) of this section, any person attempting to obtain a chauffeur's license todrive a school bus transporting school children shall, prior to being certified:
(1) Successfully complete a ten (10) hour school bus drivertraining course conducted by the department of revenue or the department ofrevenue's designee and file a certificate of successful completion with thedivision of motor vehicles. The curriculum of that course and the accreditationof courses offered shall be pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated bythe division of motor vehicles;
(2) Pass a written examination prepared and given by thedepartment of revenue or the department of revenue's designee.
(3) Pass a driving test in a school bus of a like type whichthat person will be employed to drive. The test will be prepared and given bythe department of revenue.
(c) Prior to issuing a certificate to any person who intendsto drive a school bus, the division of motor vehicles shall conduct a search ofthat person's motor vehicle record. Any violation of any safety regulation orconviction of any motor vehicle law in this or any other state shall be groundsfor refusing to issue a certificate.