§ 31-10-5.1. School bus driver annual training.
(a) The department of revenue shall promulgate any rules and regulations that it deems necessary to ensure that a ten-hour (10) training course is provided for all new school bus drivers (hereinafter sometimes referred to as an “applicant”) and a three-hour (3) retraining course is provided to all renewal applicants on at least a yearly basis. Provided, that for an applicant who holds a valid commercial driver’s license, the ten-hour (10) training course shall be abbreviated and reduced in time and shall focus on the specific Rhode Island requirements for school bus drivers.
(b) The training shall include, but not be limited to, defensive driving, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s School Bus Driver In-Service Series, and instruction in all state laws, rules, and regulations relating to school buses and school bus safety.
(c) Prior to any renewal of any certificate of a school bus driver, the division of motor vehicles shall require proof of the renewal applicant’s having successfully completed the annual retraining as provided in this section. Every ten (10) years that proof shall include the passing of a written examination prepared by the department of revenue, or the department of revenue’s designee, and conducted by employees of the department.
History of Section.
P.L. 1986, ch. 413, § 2; P.L. 2008, ch. 98, § 9; P.L. 2008, ch. 145, § 9; P.L. 2016,
ch. 47, § 1; P.L. 2016, ch. 56, § 1; P.L. 2022, ch. 425, § 1, effective June 30, 2022;
P.L. 2025, ch. 47, § 1, effective June 13, 2025; P.L. 2025, ch. 48, § 1, effective
June 13, 2025.