Federal & State Regulations | Qualification of drivers - Rhode Island

Federal regulations

Rhode Island has adopted Part 391 of the Federal regulations with the exception of Sec. 391.11 (b)(1).

Applicability

Part 391 applies to any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in intrastate and interstate commerce when the vehicle has a gross vehicle weight rating, gross combination weight rating, gross vehicle weight, or gross combination weight of 10,001 pounds or more, or is of any size transporting a placardable amount of hazardous materials.

Age

Drivers must be 21, except intrastate drivers that do not transport hazardous materials are allowed to drive at age 18.

Driver qualification file

A driver qualification file (Sec. 391.51) is required.

Operator’s license

The commercial driver’s license classes in Rhode Island are as follows:

Class	Description
Class A	Combination of vehicles with a gross combination weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 pounds or more provided the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle(s) being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
Class B	Single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle not in excess of 10,000 pounds GVWR.
Class C	Any single vehicle, or combination of vehicles, that meets neither the definition of Class A nor that of Class B, but that either is designed to transport 16 or more passengers including the driver, or is placarded for hazardous materials.
Endorsements
T	Double or triple trailers.
P	Passenger vehicles.
N	Tank vehicles.
H	Placarded hazardous materials.
X	Both tank vehicles and hazardous materials.
S	School bus.
Restrictions
A	Corrective lenses.
H	Valid for motorcycle.
L	No air brakes.

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Qualification of drivers - Rhode Island

Federal regulations

Applicability

Age

Driver qualification file

Operator’s license