Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 50 - Common Carriers
Subchapter 10 - Motor Carriers of Passengers
Part 4 - Transportation of Passengers via Public Motor Vehicles (815-RICR-50-10-4)
Section 815-RICR-50-10-4.3 - Certificate Requirement

A. No person shall operate a public motor vehicle in any city or town in the state until the person (or corporation) shall have obtained a certificate from the Division certifying that the applicant is fit, willing, and able to provide the services as a public motor vehicle in the transportation of passengers. The certificate shall be issued only after written application for it (accompanied by the applicable fee) has been filed and after a public hearing has been conducted on the application to gauge whether the applicant is "fit, willing and able" to conduct such a transportation service.

B. Upon receipt of an application, the Division shall schedule the time and place for the hearing. Notice of the hearing shall be given by first class mail to the applicant and shall be published in a newspaper with statewide distribution and on the Division's web site.

C. Upon the approval of the application, the certificate holder shall file with the Division a certificate of insurance issued by an insurance company authorized to transact business in this state, showing that the owner has a policy insuring the public motor vehicle company against liability for injury to persons and damage to property which may be caused by the operation of the public motor vehicle, this policy to provide for the indemnity in the sum of not less than one million five hundred thousand dollars ($1,500,000) for personal injury and indemnity of not less than one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) for damage to property. Such a policy shall remain in effect at all times. Failure to maintain such required insurance coverage shall be grounds for immediate suspension of a certificate holder's operating authority.

D. Each certificate shall be renewed before the close of business on December 31 of each calendar year in accordance with R.I. Gen Laws § 39-14.1-3. The renewal fee shall be one hundred dollars ($100.00) and shall be submitted with the requisite renewal packet. The renewal packet shall also include a listing of vehicles to be operated in the certificate holder's fleet and shall also include the odometer reading of each such vehicle at the time the form is completed.