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-50-10-4.4 - Vehicles to be Operated as PMV

Universal Citation: 815 RI Code of Rules 50 10 4.4

Current through September 18, 2024

A. No vehicle may be utilized by a certificate holder to transport passengers for hire until such vehicle has been registered with the Division. Certificate holders shall inform the Division of all vehicles used in its passenger-transportation fleet by Make, Model, Year and Registration Plate Number, and shall include an odometer reading of the vehicle. The certificate holder shall inform the Division each time a vehicle is added to, replaced, or removed from its fleet. There shall be no fee associated with the filing of this information.

B. The Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) shall have jurisdiction over the lighting, equipment, safety, and sanitary condition of all public motor vehicles and shall cause an inspection of such vehicles to be made before the vehicle may be registered. Vehicles owned by the certificate holder must be registered to the certificate holder's business or garage address (see § 4.8 of this Part) and must be registered in the name of the certificate holder. Vehicles leased by the certificate holder shall be registered in accordance with Registry of Motor Vehicle rules, but still must carry Public (or equivalent out-of-state registration) license plates. A copy of any such lease shall be filed with the Division.

C. Every certificate holder must institute a system of frequent and regular inspections in order to keep vehicles in proper repair and sanitary at all times. Vehicles shall be in proper mechanical operating condition prior to being dispatched to pick up passenger(s). This includes safety features (brakes, tires, windshield wipers, lights. etc.), appearance features (body free of dents, dings, chipped paint, cracked windows and lights, etc.) and cleanliness/comfort features (unsoiled upholstery/carpet, odor-free passenger compartment, air conditioning, heating, interior lights, etc.).

D. Certificate holders shall keep written records of such inspections as outlined in preceding rule and maintain those records at its place of business in accordance with subsection § 4.8(E) of this Part. The certificate holder shall make those records available for inspection by Division personnel upon request.

E. No vehicle being operated as a public motor vehicle may be equipped with a taximeter or any similar device for the purpose of calculating charges for transportation services.

F. All vehicles being operated as a public motor vehicle shall be UNMARKED as defined in § 4.4(A) of this Part, provided, however, that markings required by the USDOT shall be allowed.

G. No vehicle may be utilized as a public motor vehicle if said vehicle has previously been registered at any time as a taxicab. No exemption provision shall apply.

H. With the exception of the waiver provisions set forth in § 4.4(H)(1) of this Part, no vehicle which is beyond four (4) model years old shall be allowed to be placed into service for the first time as a public motor vehicle. Provided, however, that "classic" and "antique" vehicles greater than 25 years old that meet all other state regulations and Division requirements, may, at the Division's sole discretion, be placed into service. Once into service, however, a vehicle shall not be presented to the State Garage for an annual inspection with an odometer reading in excess of 300,000 miles, unless the certificate holder has obtained a written waiver of such rule as provided in subsection a) below. Moreover, vehicles over 10,000 Gross Vehicle Weight (such as trolleys, buses, large limousines, coaches .) shall not be presented to the State Garage for an annual inspection with an odometer reading in excess of 500,000 miles, unless the certificate holder has obtained a written waiver of such rule as provided in § 4.4(H)(1) of this Part.

1. WAIVERS: In cases involving vehicles in extraordinary condition, the certificate holder may petition the Administrator (or his/her designee) for a waiver or exemption of both the four-model-year requirement and the applicable mileage limitation as set forth in § 4.4(H) of this Part. In order to be granted such a waiver, the petitioner must demonstrate to the Administrator (or his/her designee) - at the sole discretion of the Administrator (or designee) - that said vehicle is suitable to be placed into service or remain in service (as applicable) as a public motor vehicle as intended in the establishment of R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-14.1 and the promulgation of the instant rules. If such a waiver is granted, the Division shall issue a written waiver form to the petitioner to be presented to the State Garage as evidence that the vehicle in question may, indeed, be inspected and utilized in public motor vehicle service. Absent such a waiver document, the State Garage shall refuse to inspect a vehicle older than four (4) model years to be placed into service for the first time or a vehicle with an odometer reading beyond the applicable mileage limitation as set forth in § 4.4(H) of this Part.

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