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State of Rhode Island: Division of Motor Vehicles

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Pupil Transportation Certificate

A pupil transportation vehicle is a motor vehicle designed and constructed to seat not more than eight (8) passengers including the operator, used by a school committee to provide the transportation services required by law or regulation to students being conveyed along a fixed school transportation route.

Licensing Requirement

In order to be employed as a pupil transportation vehicle (PTV) driver, the person must maintain a valid operator’s license with a chauffeur endorsement and a Rhode Island Pupil Transportation Certificate.

Minimum Requirements to Apply for a Pupil Transportation Certificate

21 years of age
3 years of driving experience
Must be sponsored by a RI school bus company

Note: Operators who hold an active CDL license with a passenger endorsement issued by the Rhode Island DMV may operate a pupil transportation vehicle without a Chauffeur’s endorsement but must have an active Pupil Transportation Certificate.

Documentation Requirements

Completed Chauffeur Endorsement with Pupil Transportation Application
RI BCI Record (issued within the last 60 days)
Applicants who live out of state or have lived in RI for less than 5 years must also provide a BCI and Certified Driving Record from all states in which they resided within the last 5 years

Testing Requirement:

Applicants must successfully pass a written test administered by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Materials on the test are covered in the Pupil Transportation Manual.

Process:

The sponsoring school bus company will forward the completed application with all supporting documentation to the DMV School Bus Safety Coordinator. The provided application and supporting documentation will be reviewed against the criteria set forth in the Rules and Regulations Regarding Eligibility for Pupil Transportation Certificate. If no disqualifying criteria are met, the DMV will contact the applicant to schedule the written test. Upon passing the written test, the applicant’s chauffeur endorsement and Pupil Transportation Certificate will be issued.