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-50-10-5.5 - Transportation Network Company Operating Requirements

Universal Citation: 815 RI Code of Rules 50 10 5.5

Current through September 18, 2024

A. No person shall operate a TNC in the state until that person shall have applied for and obtained a permit from the Division. Such permits shall be renewed annually before the close of business on December 31. Permits shall not be transferred without the consent of the Division.

B. No application for a permit may be granted or renewed unless each applicant for a permit has paid the appropriate application or renewal fee (fee schedule contained in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.2-5(c)) and the Division determines that each applicant has satisfied the following requirements:

1. That the applicant has verified that it has a sufficient oversight process in place to ensure that every vehicle providing TNC services through its digital network possesses adequate insurance coverage;

2. That the applicant has established vehicle sanitary and acceptability standards for its TNC drivers, which ensures compliance with the vehicle age and safety requirements contained in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 39-14.2 and, which also ensures that TNC riders will be transported in clean vehicles. Such standards shall be submitted, in writing, with all applications for TNC permits and be subject to Division approval;

3. That the applicant has submitted to the Division information on the internal or third party background check entity and its data collection process to ensure compliance with the requirements of R.I. Gen. Laws §§ 39-14.2-7(b) and (c). This information shall consist of the following:
a. The identity of the internal or third party background check entity (name, address and telephone number) and verification of accreditation by the National Association of Professional Background Screeners (NAPBS);

b. Details on the methodology to be used in conducting the required background checks, including the time required to conduct such background checks;

c. Details on the information required to be provided by the prospective TNC driver in order to begin the background check process and a description on how the internal or third party background check entity verifies the accuracy of the information provided by the prospective TNC driver; and

4. That the applicant has verified that it has sufficient oversight processes in place to ensure that each TNC driver using the applicant's network:
a. Has submitted to a background check conducted by the applicant that includes a review of local and national criminal records, sex offender records and driving records associated with each driver;

b. Has submitted an application that contains the TNC driver's name, address, age, driver's license number, and a photocopy or electronic copy of the driver's license, motor vehicle registration and automobile insurance policy.

C. Each TNC shall maintain a "business address" that must be a street address at which mailings may be delivered and said address shall be furnished to the Division. Post Office Boxes are not sufficient to satisfy this requirement. A change of business address shall be reported to the Division within ten (10) business days.

D. The TNC's digital network shall display to passengers requesting TNC services a picture of the TNC driver and the license plate number of the vehicle to be used to provide the requested services before the passenger enters the TNC driver's vehicle.

E. All TNCs must issue a transportation network affiliation placard to their TNC drivers and require their TNC drivers to display the TNC's transportation network affiliation placard in a conspicuous place on the TNC driver's personal vehicle at all times when connected to the TNC's digital network. Each TNC shall provide the Division with one of its placards for informational purposes and shall provide updated placards in the event that a TNC redesigns its placard. Placards between TNCs must be sufficiently different to allow TNC riders and the Division to be able to distinguish between the various TNCs operating in Rhode Island.

F. A TNC shall be prohibited from disclosing a TNC rider's personal identifiable information to a third party, except under the following conditions:

1. Disclosure is pursuant to the publically disclosed terms of the TNC's privacy policy or another consent mechanism to which the rider consents;

2. Disclosure is required by a legal obligation; or

3. Disclosure is required to protect or defend the terms of use of the service or to investigate violations of those terms. In addition to the foregoing, a TNC shall be permitted to share a rider's name and/or telephone number with the TNC operator providing prearranged rides or TNC services to such passenger in order to facilitate correct identification of the rider by the TNC operator or to facilitate communications between those two parties.

G. Every TNC shall adopt a policy of non-discrimination based on the rider's race, color, national origin, religious belief or affiliation, gender, physical disability, age, sexual orientation/identity, gender identity, or the pick-up location or drop-off location requested by the rider. TNCs and TNC drivers shall not impose any additional charge(s) for providing such non-discriminatory services.

H. Every TNC shall implement a zero tolerance alcohol and drug policy regarding a TNC driver's activities while accessing the TNC's digital network. The zero tolerance policy shall address the use of drugs or alcohol while a TNC driver is providing prearranged rides or is logged into the TNC's digital network but not providing prearranged rides. The TNC shall provide notice of this policy on its website or mobile application, as well as the procedures to report a complaint about a TNC driver with whom a rider was matched and whom the rider reasonably suspects was under the influence of drugs or alcohol during the course of a recently completed prearranged trip.

1. Upon receipt of such a rider complaint alleging a violation of the zero tolerance policy, the TNC shall suspend such TNC operator's access to the digital network as soon as possible and shall conduct an investigation into the reported incident. The suspension of access shall last until the investigation is complete. The TNC shall maintain records relevant to the enforcement of this requirement for a period of at least two (2) years from the date that a rider complaint is received by the TNC. The TNC shall also provide the Division with a copy of the complaint and a report on the TNC's investigatory findings and action taken thereon immediately after the investigation is completed.

I. Before a TNC driver is allowed to accept a request for prearranged rides on the TNC's digital network, the TNC shall disclose in writing to its TNC driver the insurance coverage limits detailed in R.I. Gen. Laws § 39-14.2-15.

J. A TNC shall maintain individual trip records that detail the date, time, pick-up location, drop-off location, distance traveled, length of time of the trip and total fare charged for every TNC service it coordinates in the state. Such records shall be maintained for a minimum of two (2) years from December 31 of the calendar year in which the services were rendered.

K. A TNC shall maintain detailed TNC driver records that include the dates and times the driver "logs into" and "logs out of' "the TNC's digital network, the number of TNC service trips the driver performs through the TNC's digital network, and the total miles driven and fares collected. Additionally, the TNC shall maintain records of all passenger complaints lodged against each TNC driver and the results of any investigation or actions taken as a result of such complaints. Such records shall be maintained for a minimum of two (2) years from December 31 of the calendar year in which the services were rendered.

L. No TNC permit holder may use any other business name than that listed on the permit. Should a business name be changed, the permit holder must first, if the business is not a corporation, register the name with the city or town in which the business is located. If a corporation, the business must first register the name with the Secretary of State's Office. After registration, all new business names must be filed with the Division. The Division will review the filing to determine whether the name could cause confusion with any existing business. If the Division rejects the name, the permit holder will be notified within ten (10) business days of the filing.

M. No TNC shall permit a TNC driver to provide prearranged TNC services for more than 12 hours in a 24-hour period unless the driving time is broken by a period of eight full hours of rest. Before allowing a TNC driver to connect to its digital network, a TNC must inquire whether the driver requesting access to the TNC's digital network has driven for another TNC during the last 24 hours and whether the driver has exceeded or will be exceeding his/her maximum allowable hours of TNC service operations.

N. TNCs shall make arrangements for bringing these rules and regulations to the attention of all their drivers and employees.

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.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.