(a)  Every bus used for the transportation of school children shall be painted yellow and bear upon the front and rear of it a plainly visible sign containing the words “school bus” in black letters not less than eight inches (8″) in height. Every bus shall also bear on the right and left side the name of the school district for which the bus is transporting children in letters not less than four inches (4″) in height and shall be painted black. Any bus being used for the transportation of persons, the majority of whom are under the age of eighteen (18) may display such a sign.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 31-20-11

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • person: may be construed to extend to and include co-partnerships and bodies corporate and politic. See Rhode Island General Laws 43-3-6

(b)  Except as provided in this section, when a school bus is operated upon a street or highway for purposes other than the actual transportation of children, all marking indicating “school bus” shall be covered or concealed. Whenever any school bus is sold and/or is no longer used for the purpose of transporting children, its color shall be changed from national school bus chrome or any other shade of yellow to any other color, and the four (4) flashing warning lights shall be removed before the vehicle can be registered or reregistered for any purpose other than the transportation of school children.

(c)  The division of motor vehicles shall require proof of the change of color and other modifications prior to registering the vehicle.

(d)  Every school bus shall display a sign located below the rear window of the bus which reads “unlawful to pass when red lights are flashing”. The sign shall have black letters not less than four inches (4″) nor more than six inches (6″) high on a white reflective background.

(e)  Any person, firm, or corporation found in violation of this section shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars ($100).

History of Section.
P.L. 1950, ch. 2595, art. 31, § 7; G.L. 1956, § 31-20-11; P.L. 1968, ch. 40, § 1; P.L. 1969, ch. 236, § 1; P.L. 1973, ch. 133, § 1; P.L. 1986, ch. 401, § 1; P.L. 1987, ch. 457, § 1; P.L. 1999, ch. 454, § 1.