Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 815 - Division of Public Utilities and Carriers
Chapter 50 - Common Carriers
Subchapter 10 - Motor Carriers of Passengers
Part 5 - Rules and Regulations Governing the Transportation of Passengers via Transportation Network Companies (815-RICR-50-10-5)
Section 815-RICR-50-10-5.3 - TNC Driver Requirements

Universal Citation: 815 RI Code of Rules 50 10 5.3

Current through September 18, 2024

A. A TNC driver is not required to register the vehicle such driver uses for prearranged rides as a commercial or for-hire vehicle.

B. TNC drivers may utilize a personal vehicle to provide licensed TNC services, provided:

1. The vehicle is owned by, leased to or otherwise authorized by the legal owner/lessee to be used by a TNC driver to provide TNC services; and

2. The vehicle is no older than fifteen (15) model years old and is designed to hold no more than seven (7) individuals, including the driver; and

3. The vehicle meets the vehicle safety inspection requirements for a private motor vehicle in Rhode Island or the state in which the vehicle is registered performed by a facility licensed by the state to conduct such inspections, and shall display an according inspection sticker on the vehicle's windshield if required to do so by applicable law; and

4. The vehicle shall have met or surpassed sanitary/acceptability standards established by the TNC with which the TNC driver has partnered; and

5. It shall be prohibited for a TNC driver to connect to a TNC's digital network for the purpose of accepting solicitations and providing TNC services in a personal vehicle other than a personal vehicle that the TNC driver has registered with the TNC pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.2-11.

C. A TNC driver must display the Transportation Network Company's placard on the TNC's driver's personal vehicle at all times when connected to a TNC's digital network and when transporting a TNC rider.

D. A TNC driver may be affiliated with or may "partner" with more than one properly permitted transportation network company to provide TNC services.

E. TNC drivers shall be prohibited from providing prearranged rides for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period. Following an 8-hour period during which the TNC driver does not provide prearranged rides, the 12-hour period will reset.

F. No individual shall provide TNC services or transport TNC riders in a personal vehicle until the individual shall have first submitted to required background checks conducted through the TNC.

G. TNC drivers shall be strictly prohibited from soliciting or accepting so-called "street hails" or "walk-up requests" by potential passengers or from parking at or waiting for passengers at taxicab stands.

H. TNC drivers are prohibited from smoking in their vehicles when transporting TNC riders. The TNC driver may allow or prohibit passengers from smoking in their vehicle.

I. At all times during their use of a vehicle in connection with a TNC's digital network, a TNC driver shall carry physical or electronic proof of insurance coverage that satisfies the financial responsibility provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.2-14. In the event of an accident, when logged on to the TNC's digital network or providing a pre-arranged ride, TNC drivers shall be required to provide this proof of insurance coverage to all interested parties, automobile insurers and investigating police officers, upon request pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-47-2(15).

J. A TNC driver shall not operate his/her vehicle when it is so loaded or when there is in the front seat such number of persons as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides, or to interfere with his/her control over the vehicle. No TNC driver shall carry more passengers than the Manufacturer's designed capacity of the vehicle.

K. A TNC driver must report any criminal conviction or adjudicated traffic violation to the TNC(s) and the Division within five (5) business days of the conviction or adjudication. If the Division investigation reveals that the criminal conviction or adjudicated traffic violation is of such a nature that continued driving for a TNC by said TNC driver could constitute a danger to the public, the Division may impose an immediate suspension on the TNC driver's authority to drive for all TNCs doing business in Rhode Island; if such a discretionary action is taken, a formal hearing shall be scheduled as soon as possible to gauge the appropriateness of the immediate suspension and to determine if the suspension shall continue.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Rhode Island may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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