This Part is promulgated pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 31-22-10 and 31-22-11.6.

The purpose of this Part is to set forth regulations concerning the type, construction, and equipment of motor vehicles used for the transportation of children to and from school sponsored activities including athletics and extra-curricular activities.

These rules and regulations pertain to all vehicles purchased new or used after July 1, 2000 and are used as school extracurricular vehicles as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.6 and these regulations. All school extracurricular vehicles subject to these regulations are also subject to the requirements established in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.6.

A. For the purposes of this Part, the following terms shall have the following meaning:

1. “School extracurricular vehicle” means a vehicle designed to transport less than fifteen (15) students to and from school-sponsored activities including athletics, internships, work experiences, and extracurricular activities where school buses are not used because of the small number of students being transported, pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.6(a)(2)(ii). Two (2) door sedans shall not be considered school extracurricular vehicles.

A. All school extracurricular vehicles as defined in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-22-11.6 and in these regulations, designed with a capacity of at least eleven (11) and not more than fifteen (15) people (including the driver), and purchased after July 1, 2000 must meet the requirements of 49 C.F.R. Part 571 (2018), hereby incorporated by reference, not including further amendments thereof. This includes 49 C.F.R. § 571.220, 49 C.F.R. § 571.221, and 49 C.F.R. § 571.222.

B. In addition to the provisions within 49 C.F.R. Part 571:

1. School extracurricular vehicles are prohibited from having amber or red flashing lights. Such systems must be removed prior to bringing the vehicles for inspection at the Safety and Emission Control Section of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

2. School extracurricular vehicles are prohibited from having school bus pedestrian stop arms. Such systems must be removed prior to bringing the vehicle for inspection at the Safety and Emission Control Section of the Division of Motor Vehicles.

A. Safety Devices Mandated by State and Federal Law or Regulation

1. School extracurricular vehicles must be equipped with all lights, brakes, and other safety devices mandated by federal and state laws or regulations.

B. Driver Seat Belt

1. The driver’s seat must be equipped with a safety seat belt meeting the requirements provided in R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-23-41.

C. Passenger Seat Belt

1. Each passenger seat must be equipped with a safety seat belt assembly that is designed to restrain the pelvic and upper torso of the passenger. The seat belt must comply with 49 C.F.R. § 571.209, incorporated by reference in § 8.5(A) of this Part.

D. Drive Shaft

1. The drive shaft shall be guarded by the vehicle frame or a separate guard designed to prevent the drive shaft from dropping to the ground while the vehicle is moving.

E. Exits

1. Each passenger seat shall be provided with a clear walking path to at least two (2) doors. Each door, excluding the driver’s door, must be located on different sides of the vehicle.

School extracurricular vehicles shall not be any shade of yellow.

A. School extracurricular vehicles must have the name of the owner or lessee conspicuously placed on the side of the vehicle. The identification shall be required to possess two-inch (2”) letters.

B. The identification shall be permanently affixed to the vehicle if it is owned by the provider of school extracurricular transportation. On vehicles leased by school extracurricular transportation providers the display of identification may be accomplished through the use of removal device so prepared as to otherwise meet the above identification and legibility requirements.

The owner or lessee of the school extracurricular transportation provider is responsible for purchasing a new or used extracurricular vehicle that meets the requirements enumerated in this rulemaking.

If any provision of these rules and regulations or the application thereof to any person or circumstances shall be held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the provisions or application of the rules and regulations which can be given effect, and to his end the provisions of these rules and regulations are declared to be severable.