The Town of New Shoreham licenses all taxis, buses and limousines operating on Block Island.
New Applications
Applications for new taxi, bus and limousine licenses are submitted to the Commission on Motor Vehicles for Hire; names of applicants who are found to meet all requirements are forwarded to the Town Council for approval. An applicant must have, for five consecutive years prior to the application:
- Been a full time island resident (at least 9 months of the year)
- Been a registered voter of the Town of New Shoreham
- Held a Rhode Island operator’s license, chauffeur’s license or CDL with appropriate passenger endorsement; the applicant must also be of good moral character.
Wait List
The MVFH maintains a waiting list, updated annually, of applicants who continue to meet taxi, bus and limousine license requirements.
Pricing
A taxi license for a 7 to 12 passenger van (including driver) is $125 annually; a charter bus license is $175. The license year runs from May 15 to May 15.