School Bus Certificate

Licensing Requirement

In order to be employed as a school bus driver in Rhode Island, a person must maintain an active CDL with S and P endorsements, hold a current DOT medical card and hold a Rhode Island School Bus Certificate, commonly referred to as a White Card.

Minimum Requirements to Apply for a School Bus Certificate

21 years of age
3 years of driving experience
Hold a valid CDL with S and P endorsements
Must be sponsored by a RI school bus company

Documentation Requirements

Completed School Bus Certificate Application
RI BCI Record (issued within the last 60 days)
Valid DOT medical card (issued within the last 90 days)
Applicants who live out of state or have lived in RI for less than 5 years, must also provide a BCI and Certified Driving Record from all states in which they resided within the last 5 years
CCRI Training Card with passing results for the course, skills test and pre-trip inspection

Class Required

All applicants are required to take and pass a ten-hour course administered by CCRI.

Driving Test Required

Applicant is required to pass a skills test and pre-trip inspection using a school bus.

Process:

The provided application and supporting documentation will be reviewed against the criteria set forth in the School Bus Regulations. If no disqualifying criteria are met, the DMV will notify CCRI that the applicant has been approved to take the CCRI 10-hour School Bus course. CCRI will coordinate scheduling the class with the terminal manager. Upon completion of the class and passing the test given at the end of the class, the applicant will be allowed to proceed to the skills test and pre-trip inspection conducted by the DMV. Upon successfully passing, the applicant will be informed that they may make an appointment at the DMV to get their School Bus Certificate.