Motor Vehicle Use Policy - August 2004

Motor Vehicle Use Policy (8/2004)

Policy Summary 

A "Bowdoin College Motor Vehicle" is defined as any motor vehicle owned, leased or rented by the College. The emphasis in this policy is on College fleet vehicles and College-rented passenger vans. Rental of cars and the use of personal vehicles for College business are not addressed.

Policies vary according to driver eligibility categories and the type of vehicle being used. The driver eligibility categories are: a) All students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25; b) Faculty and staff members 25 years of age and over; and c) Employees who are required to operate a Bowdoin College motor vehicle as part of their essential job functions.

Drivers Under Age 25

  1. All students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25 must submit a driver application that provides details on their driving history and authorizes the College to obtain their Motor Vehicle Record (MVR). MVR's are then scored using a point system and applicants with ten (10) points or more are ineligible to drive a Bowdoin College motor vehicle.
  2. First-time drivers will be required to complete the Driver Safety Program prior to driving a College vehicle.
  3. All students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25 with international driver's licenses must complete the Driver Safety Program before driving a College vehicle. These drivers will only be eligible to drive College vehicles for six (6) months, at which time they must have a valid U.S. driver's license to remain eligible.

Faculty and Staff 25 Years of Age and Over

  1. Drivers in this category who have driven a fleet vehicle or a 12-passenger van prior to August 15, 2003 are eligible to drive that specific type of vehicle without submitting a driver application, consenting to an MVR screening, or completing a Driver Safety Training Program. Employees who are required to drive College vehicles as part of their essential job functions should refer to the eligibility requirements for "Employees Required to Drive" below.
  2. Faculty and staff members 25 years of age and over, who have not driven a fleet vehicle or a 12- passenger van previously, must follow the same eligibility requirements as students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25.

Employees Required to Drive

  1. Employees who are required to operate a College vehicle as part of their essential job functions are subject to the same eligibility requirements as all students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25.
  2. Prospective employees, whose position requires a valid driver's license as an essential function of the job, may be offered a position, subject to having an acceptable MVR score. Prospective employees would be required to submit an application and consent form provided to them by Human Resources. If the prospective employee receives an unacceptable MVR score, the offer will be rescinded.

Process

  1. All students and faculty and staff members under the age of 25 must go through the Fleet Scheduler to rent passenger vans.
  2. When renting vans, preference should be given to 12-passenger vans if they are available. For safety reasons, the College will no longer permit the renting of 15-passenger vans by students, faculty, or staff. Any exception to this policy must be approved in writing by Ted Stam, Director of Facilities Operations and Maintenance (tstam@bowdoin.edu), or his designee and his signature or that of his designee must be present on an Authorization to Drive form.
  3. An emergency kit, containing reflective triangles, accident procedures, blank accident report, first aid kit, and a copy of the Bowdoin College Motor Vehicle Use Policy, will be in each fleet vehicle.

All drivers of Bowdoin College motor vehicles are expected to follow the rules and procedures outlined in this policy and to abide by all campus regulations and all local, state and federal laws.