Chapter 380

2007 -- H 6094 SUBSTITUTE A

Enacted 07/07/07

A N A C T

RELATING TO MOTOR AND OTHER VEHICLES -- DRIVERS FOR COMPENSATION

Introduced By: Representatives Crowley, and Jackson

Date Introduced: March 06, 2007

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 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 own and 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 administration 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 administration.

      (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 administration.

      (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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LC02073/SUB A

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