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Every certificate issued shall have an expiration date. You must have an active certificate to drive a pupil transportation vehicle. Prior to driving a school transportation vehicle transporting school children subsequent to expiration, a new application shall be completed and a new certificate issued.
Please keep in mind that you don't need a Pupil Transportation Certificate if you have a valid School Bus Driver Certificate
The following are steps you must follow to obtain a Pupil Transportation Certificate.
Obtain an Application for “Chauffeur License and Pupil Transportation Certificate along with the Pupil Transportation Guide”. You must successfully pass a written test. Use the Guide to study for your written test. Both documents can be downloaded from our website at www.dmv.ri.gov or by calling 462-5772.
- Complete the Application for Chauffeur License and Pupil Transportation Certificate. Obtain required references while completing application form.
- Bring completed application to the police department in the city or town in which you live in order to have a criminal background check conducted.
- If you are not a Rhode Island resident or have moved into the state within the past five (5) years you must obtain a certified criminal record check as well as a certified driving record from your current or former home state(s). These documents must be no more than 30 days old and must be submitted with your original application. Only original documents will be accepted.
- If the application is approved by the local police bring this application and a letter of sponsorship to the Division of Motor Vehicles located at 100 Main St , Pawtucket Rhode Island . A letter of sponsorship, verifying you will be employed, must accompany this application (from a school department school bus company, child care agency, YMCA etc)
- As soon as you arrive at DMV obtain a number at the License Greeter Booth.
- Once you have your number take the approved application, letter of sponsorship (and other certified documentation if required) to the Motor Carrier and School Bus Safety Office. The application and all documents will be reviewed by the Motor Carrier and School Bus Safety Office. All applicants are subject to a criminal record check and a driving record check.
- If approved you will be allowed to take the Pupil Transportation written test. You will be provided with a document to bring to the license section. There is a $16.50 fee to take the written test.
- If you pass, go back to a license clerk and pay an additional $26.50 application processing fee. The license clerk will prepare your chauffeur license and direct you to the camera for your picture. After the picture is taken you will receive a temporary Chauffeurs license. The actual Chauffeurs license will be mailed to you in approximately 2 weeks.
- Bring the temporary Chauffeurs license to the Motor Carrier and School Bus Safety Office at which time you will receive your Pupil Transportation Certificate.
- The automobile, SUV or van must have a gross vehicle weight rating of 3,800 pounds or more and be designed and constructed to seat not more than eight (8) passengers (in addition to the operator) in order to be eligible to be a pupil transportation vehicle.
- Follow the instructions in this manual and the state law to ensure that the vehicle meets all of the special equipment requirements for a pupil transportation vehicle.
- File a GU -1338 insurance document with the Financial Responsibility Section of the Division of Motor Vehicles at 100 Main St. Pawtucket Rhode Island 02860 . This form can be mailed to the Financial Responsibility Section (FR) by your insurance company but we strongly recommend that you contact FR prior to having the vehicle inspected to make sure the GU - 1338 is on file. This document must be on file with FR for us to conduct a pupil transportation inspection.
- Obtain a letter from the school department stating that the vehicle will be used as a pupil transportation vehicle. The letter should have the license plate number and VIN number of each vehicle.
- Call the Safety and Emission Control Section at 222-3884 to schedule an appointment for an inspection.
- Bring the vehicle to the Safety and Emission Control Section located at 325 Melrose St. Providence Rhode Island .
- Prior to inspecting the vehicle the Safety and Emission Control Section will verify that the vehicle has a GU1338 on file.
- If the vehicle passes the inspection a pupil transportation sticker (due to time constraints a public carrier sticker will temporarily be used) will be placed on the windshield.