2022 -- H 8298

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LC006047

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2022

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS'

LICENSES

     Introduced By: Representative Marvin L. Abney

     Date Introduced: May 27, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     (by request)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-10-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10 entitled "Operators'

and Chauffeurs' Licenses" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-10-5. Special restrictions for drivers for compensation.

     (a) No person who is under the age of twenty-one (21) years shall drive any school bus

transporting school children or any motor vehicle, except any taxicab or limited public motor

vehicle licensed pursuant to the provisions of § 39-14-20, when in use for the transportation of

persons or property for compensation nor in either event until he or she has been licensed as a

chauffeur for either purpose and the license so indicates. Colleges and universities shall be exempt

from the requirement for a public plate for vehicles used to shuttle only students or employees to

various points within the college or university campus or if a college or university owned or leased

vehicle is used for the occasional transportation of college or university employees or students

either on or off campus provided that the vehicle is operated by a college or university employee

possessing a valid Rhode Island chauffeur's license or a commercial drivers license with a

passenger endorsement. Provided, however, that the college or university shall operate the shuttle

service and there shall be no specific charge for the transportation of students or employees. The

division of motor vehicles shall not issue a chauffeur's license for either purpose unless the

applicant has had at least one year of driving experience prior to the application, and has filed with

the division of motor vehicles one or more certificates signed by a total of at least three (3)

responsible people to whom he or she is well known certifying to the applicant's good character

and habits and the administrator of the division of motor vehicles is fully satisfied as to 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 to drive a school bus transporting school children shall,

prior to being certified:

     (1) Successfully complete a ten (10) hour school bus driver training course conducted by

the department of revenue or the department of revenue's designee and file a certificate of

successful completion with the division of motor vehicles. The curriculum of that course and the

accreditation of courses offered shall be pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the

division of motor vehicles;

     (2) Pass a written examination prepared and given by the department of revenue or the

department of revenue's designee.

     (3) Pass a driving test in a school bus of a like type which that person will be employed to

drive. The test will be prepared and given by the department of revenue.

     (c) Prior to issuing a certificate to any person who intends to drive a school bus, the division

of motor vehicles shall conduct a search of that person's motor vehicle record. Any violation of any

safety regulation or conviction of any motor vehicle law in this or any other state shall be grounds

for refusing to issue a certificate.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- OPERATORS' AND CHAUFFEURS'

LICENSES

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     This act would remove the requirement that taxicabs and public motor vehicles obtain a

chauffeurs license under chapter 10 of title 31 relating to operators' and chauffeurs' licenses.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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