2022 -- H 8299

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LC005978

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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 -- RHODE ISLAND UNIFORM

COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE ACT

     Introduced By: Representatives Edwards, Kennedy, Hull, Bennett, Casimiro, and Casey

     Date Introduced: May 27, 2022

     Referred To: House State Government & Elections

     (Division of Motor Vehicle)

It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Section 31-10.3-8 of the General Laws in Chapter 31-10.3 entitled "Rhode

Island Uniform Commercial Driver's License Act" is hereby amended to read as follows:

     31-10.3-8. Rulemaking authority.

     The administrator for motor vehicles, department of revenue, is authorized to adopt and

enforce any rules and regulations that may be necessary to carry out the provisions of chapters 1 -

- 27 of this title and any other laws the enforcement and administration of which are vested in the

division of motor vehicles, including rules and regulations concerning specialized testing and

standards for operators of commercial vehicles. Any former member of the Armed Forces,

including, but not limited to, the Rhode Island National Guard, who received a military license to

drive heavy equipment, shall be exempt from taking a road test when applying for a commercial

driver's license for a similar class of commercial motor vehicle for which the applicant has been

previously licensed by the military, if such applicant is deemed to be otherwise qualified pursuant

to 49 CFR 383.77. Any member of an organized fire department, including volunteer members,

who have five (5) years of driving experience of fire apparatus and who has completed a safety

driving course, including a road test from a recognized agency shall, upon providing a letter from

the fire chief of their fire department to the administrator of motor vehicles, be exempt from taking

a road test when applying for a commercial drivers' license for a similar class of commercial motor

vehicle, provided the applicant is deemed otherwise qualified pursuant to 49 CFR 383.77.

     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 -- RHODE ISLAND UNIFORM

COMMERCIAL DRIVER'S LICENSE ACT

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     This act would eliminate the exemption for firefighters from having to complete a road

safety test in order to obtain a commercial driver’s license.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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