Driver Policy for 15 Passenger Vans

(Highly Recommended for Full Size 8 & 12-Passenger Vans) 

Program Overview

• Driver training begins May 2002
• All drivers of 15-passenger vans are required to completed driver training effective November 1, 2002.  Drivers will receive a certificate indicating they have completed the training course.
• Policy applies to vehicles rented from outside car rental agencies by University departments.
• There are no exceptions to this policy.  All vehicles, whether used primarily for highway/freeway or local “commuter” trips, will require certified drivers.
• Once a driver completes the training, they will be “certified” and no further training will be required.

 Training/Classroom Course

• Fleet Services will offer a two-hour classroom course for drivers.

• Training will be free to unit/departments.

• Training related costs will be paid for from the self-insurance fund.

• On the Twin Cities campus, training will be available monthly at the Fleet Services Building.

• On the coordinate campuses, two training sessions will occur on each campus between May 2002 and November 2002.  Thereafter, training will occur twice a year on each campus.

Penalties for Use of Non-Certified Drivers:

• Deductibles for a department that permits a non-certified driver to drive a full size passenger van will increase as follows:

• Collision                                   $10,000

• Liability                                    $10,000

• Workers Compensation            $10,000

Unanticipated/Emergency Training Option:

• For drivers who unexpectedly need to use a 15-passenger van before the next training session is offered, drivers will be required to take the two-hour interactive CD-ROM training offered by the National Safety Council.  A temporary “pass” will be issued to those drivers.  The pass will be valid until the next classroom training session occurs.  Drivers will be required to take the classroom training session as the temporary pass will expire on the date of the next classroom training session. Fleet Services will purchase four copies of the CD-ROM, one for each campus.

This policy will be reviewed after two years.  If the University continues to experience serious accidents with these vehicles by drivers who have completed the training course, the recommendation will be to phase out the use of these vehicles over a designated period of time.

© 2003 by the Regents of the University of Minnesota.
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Created by UMC's Web Team. Comment to Webmaster. Last updated September 18, 2002