Number 514

Subject: Vehicle Use Policy

Effective Date: April 27, 2000

514.1 USE OF UNIVERSITY VEHICLES

1.1 All use of vehicles owned or rented by Utah State University (University vehicles) must be authorized by either a Department Head, Director, Dean or Vice President.

1.2 University vehicles may only be used:

(1) for authorized University purposes; or

(2) by authorized student organizations (a) registered under Article IV, Section 2, of the Code of Policies and Procedures for Students at Utah State University, (b) registered as a USU club sport with the Campus Recreation Office, or (c) exempt from registration under Article IV, Section 3, of the Code of Policies and Procedures for Students at Utah State University.

1.3 Drivers of University vehicles must be at least 18 years old and have a valid drivers license.

1.4 Drivers of University vehicles must have a driving record free of the following citations occurring within the past twelve (12) months:

(1) any moving violation involving an accident, unless the drivers have completed an approved driving course subsequent to receiving each moving violation citation;

(2) reckless driving; or

(3) driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

1.5 Drivers of University vehicles must complete an approved Driver Safety Program. A Driver Safety Program must be completed every three years.

1.6 All employees who regularly operate vehicles as a designated part of their job must complete an approved Driver Safety Program at initial employment and annually thereafter.

514.2 VEHICLE OPERATION STANDARDS

2.1 Drivers of University vehicles must observe all state and local laws, including those stated in Utah Code Annotated 1953, as amended, Title 42, Chapter 6 (Traffic Rules and Regulations).

2.2 Drivers and all occupants must wear a seatbelt at all times.

2.3 Drivers should briefly rest from driving every 2 hours.

2.4 Total driving time must not exceed 12 hours per day, irrespective of the number of drivers.

2.5 No overnight driving is allowed.

2.6 University vehicles must not be operated between 11:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., except where the trip (a) is solely to return to a home base and (b) the return trip is less than 4 hours in duration.

2.7 Drivers must review weather conditions in advance of the trip. Travel plans should allow for emergency stop-overs and associated expenses due to bad weather. Drivers must slow down if adverse weather conditions exist. Travel should not proceed in extreme weather conditions.

514.3 USE OF 15 PASSENGER UNIVERSITY VANS

In addition to policy 514.1 and 514.2 above,

3.1 Drivers of 15 passenger University vans:

(1) must be at least 20 years old when (a) the trip is longer than 4 hours, OR (b) the trip includes travel out of state, OR (c) the trip includes driving on an interstate highway or other controlled access road;

(2) must not have received a moving violation citation within the past twelve (12) months;

(3) must either have satisfactorily completed a National Safety Council (NSC) van driver certification course as approved by the director of University Motor Pool or have a current Commercial Drivers License (CDL). Van driver certification through a satisfactorily completed NSC van driver certification course must be renewed every three years; and

(4) should take sufficient time before the trip begins to become familiar with the location of lights and windshield wiper controls and other switches on the instrument panel. If the van has cruise control, the driver must understand how to operate the cruise control under all circumstances.

3.2 Users of 15 passenger University vans:

(1) must not overload the van with equipment and all equipment and the spare tire must be properly secured; and

(2) must have more than one qualified driver (514.3.1(2) above) for trips longer than 6 hours and drivers should rotate every 2 hours.

514.4 SANCTIONS

The privilege to use University vehicles, by individuals or units/organizations or both, will be withdrawn for up to one year for violations of this policy.