Rhode Island § 31-20-11 § 31-20-11. Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.

Rhode Island Statutes

§ 31-20-11 — § 31-20-11. Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.

Rhode Island § 31-20-11

Title 31Motor and Other vehicles

Ch. 31-20Special Stops Required

This text of Rhode Island § 31-20-11 (§ 31-20-11. Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Rhode Island primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-20-11 (2026).

Text

§ 31-20-11. Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.
(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
            busâ€� 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.
   

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§ 31-20-11. Marking of school buses — Penalty for violation.

(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 busâ€� 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.

(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 busâ€� 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 flashingâ€�. 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).

Legislative History

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.