School Bus Driver / Rhode Island
2026 data Rhode Island board official source

Rhode Island School Bus Driver License Requirements

Compiled from official public sources by the publisher.

Requirements, fees, and renewal timing for this license, sourced from state board records.

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What the Rhode Island data shows for School Bus Drivers

Becoming a licensed school bus driver in Rhode Island means clearing a defined set of hurdles: 99 training hours, a passing score on CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements, plus a background history check once the applicant turns 21. Rhode Island regulators place this credential inside their licensing framework, which classifies the training track as "School Bus Driver Training".

The initial price tag is $117, and renewal costs $79 every 4 years. There's no continuing-education mandate tied to this profession in Rhode Island, which keeps the long-run cost of staying licensed lighter than in CE-heavy states.

For school bus drivers, the reciprocity picture is: Federal CDL recognized nationwide.

Licensing Ease Score

B+
Licensing Ease Score
75/100
School Bus Driver · Rhode Island

A higher score means this specific license is LESS burdensome to obtain and maintain here than the national requirement corpus, based on education hours, fees, continuing education, and experience requirements, not an overall judgment of the profession or the state.

Education & Training B
99 hours
Documented education/training hours required
Initial Fee D
$117
One-time application/license fee
Renewal Burden A
$20/yr
$79 every 4 years
Continuing Education A+
None required
No continuing-education mandate
Experience Required A+
None required
Supervised work experience required before licensure

Licensing Requirements in Rhode Island

Education / Training Hours
School Bus Driver Training
99 hours
Exam Requirement
CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements
Required
Initial License Fee
$117
Renewal Fee
$79
Renewal Cycle
Every 4 years
Continuing Education
Not required
Criminal History Check
Required
Minimum Age
21 years

Compare & Explore

Compare all states for School Bus Driver All Rhode Island licenses
Data sources: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice, state licensing boards. Verify current requirements with Rhode Island licensing authorities before making career decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

What license do I need for School Bus Driver in Rhode Island? ▼
Rhode Island's requirements cover 99 hours of education or training, the CDL with School Bus and Passenger Endorsements exam, and an initial fee of $117. Applicants also go through a criminal background check.
How do I get certified as a School Bus Driver in Rhode Island? ▼
To become a licensed school bus driver in Rhode Island, you must meet the state's requirements including 99 hours of education. You must also pass the required examination. Contact the Rhode Island licensing board to verify current requirements.
Can I transfer my School Bus Driver license to Rhode Island from another state? ▼
For school bus drivers, the reciprocity landscape looks like this: Federal CDL recognized nationwide. Many professions are also covered by interstate licensing compacts that facilitate portability between states. Contact the Rhode Island licensing board to confirm how it applies to your specific credential.
Does Rhode Island require a background check for School Bus Driver licensing? ▼
Rhode Island does require a background check before issuing a school bus driver license. What counts as disqualifying, and how it's reviewed, is up to the state licensing board.

Related Guides

What to do with this school bus driver license

School Bus Driver in Rhode Island, with a documented reciprocity path, is one requirement row in a school bus driver-wide, 50-state comparison.

  • See how Rhode Island's school bus driver requirements compare to every other state before relocating. School Bus Driver in every state
  • Confirm whether your out-of-state school bus driver license transfers under an interstate compact before starting a new application. Reciprocity guide
  • See how Rhode Island's overall licensing burden compares to other states, not just this one profession. Rhode Island overview

Requirements shown are compiled from NCSL and Institute for Justice research; verify current rules with the Rhode Island licensing board before making career decisions.

Source: NCSL Occupational Licensing Database, Institute for Justice License to Work (3rd Ed.), state licensing board websites

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Institute for Justice, the PlainCredential comparison corpus (current as of May 15, 2026) maps 4,947 state licensing requirement records; see the methodology.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.