Rhode Island General Laws
Part 3 - Application, Examination and Issuance
Section 31-10.3-15. - Persons not eligible for licensing.

§ 31-10.3-15. Persons not eligible for licensing.
(a) The department shall not issue any license pursuant to this chapter:
(1) To any person, as a commercial driver, who is under the age of twenty-one (21) years; except for intrastate operations, the applicant must be at least eighteen (18) years of age. This exception shall not apply to school bus drivers and drivers of placarded vehicles.
(2) To any person whose license or privilege has been suspended, canceled, revoked or otherwise withdrawn during suspension, cancellation, revocation, or withdrawal and not until the person has complied with all requirements for reinstatement.
(3) To any person who is a habitual drunkard, or is addicted to controlled substances.
(4) To any person who is required by this chapter to take an examination, unless the person shall have successfully passed the examination.
(5) To any person when the administrator has good cause based on clear and convincing evidence to believe that the person does not meet a standard of physical or mental fitness for motor vehicle licensure established pursuant to § 31-10-44(b), and that the person’s physical or mental condition prevents him or her from being able to operate a motor vehicle with safety upon the highways. However, an insulin dependent person shall not automatically be denied a license. Each case shall be decided individually; certification by a physician that the person is being regularly monitored, that the person’s condition is stable and under control, and that the person is otherwise medically qualified to safely operate a motor vehicle shall be conclusive and a license strictly limited to intrastate use shall be issued. The license must clearly state on its face that the license is restricted to intrastate use only; provided, however, nothing contained in this section shall prohibit the issuance of an interstate license as long as all federal regulations are met.
(6) To any person who is required under the laws of this state to file or deposit proof of financial responsibility and who has not deposited that proof.
(7) To any person when, after a hearing, the administrator has good cause to conclude that the operation of a motor vehicle on the highways by the person is likely to pose an imminent safety risk to the general public by reason of the person’s past conduct in motor vehicle operation during the preceding two (2) year period. The hearing shall focus exclusively upon whether a declination to issue a license is necessary in order to protect public safety, relying upon findings of the circumstances under which each past motor vehicle offense was committed, the likelihood of recurrence, and the deterrent effect that might reasonably be expected from the declination.
(b) The department shall notify in writing any person whose application for a license has been denied pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. The notice shall contain the factual and legal basis for the denial, the procedure for requesting a hearing, and the rights afforded the individual pursuant to § 31-11-7(d) — (f). When physical or mental fitness is the basis for the denial, the notice shall refer to the specific functional standard promulgated pursuant to § 31-10-44(b), which was relied upon by the department. Upon his or her request the department shall afford the license applicant an opportunity for a hearing as early as practical and no later than twenty (20) days after receipt of the request.
(c) The hearing procedures afforded the applicant shall conform to the provisions of § 31-11-7(d) — (f).
History of Section.P.L. 1990, ch. 176, § 1; P.L. 1993, ch. 401, § 1; P.L. 1997, ch. 349, § 1; P.L. 1998, ch. 89, § 3; P.L. 2009, ch. 297, § 1; P.L. 2009, ch. 298, § 1.

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