Rhode Island General Laws Title 31. Motor and Other Vehicles § 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. 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:

(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.