University Vehicles
University vehicles are available for employees in certain positions to use for University purposes only. Before using a University vehicle, employees must complete the Driving Application & Agreement and provide a valid/current driver’s license and meet the requirements found here: https://campusservices.greenville.edu/support/solutions/articles/12000044734-driverqualifications-and-requirements
To Be Allowed to Drive a GU Fleet Vehicle You Must:
• Be on the GU Approved Driver List. To be added to this list you must:
• Allow GU or their insurance carrier to run a motor vehicle report on you annually by completing the Driving Application Agreement form: Driving App Agreement and meet the insurance carriers requirements (see below),
• Be an employee, student or a student completing a practicum through GU, ;
• Have a valid driver's license that has been in effect for at least two years
• To drive a GU activity bus, you must meet all the requirements above, and;
• be at least 21 years of age, and;
• pass the online training course
Insurance Carrier Requirements:
• have had no Major Violations;
• no more than 2 moving violations within the last 3 years;
• no more than 1 at-fault accident within the last 3 years; or;
• Violations and accidents combined: no more than 1 at-fault accident and 1 moving violation within the last 3 years when not the same incident.
Major Violations
• Negligent homicide within last 5 years
• Criminal-type conviction within last 5 years
• Hit-and-run within last 5 years
• Manslaughter within last 5 years
• Suspended or revoked license — currently suspended or revoked
• Drag racing within last 5 years
• Driving Under Influence/Impaired within last 5 years
• Reckless driving within last 3 years (includes speeding in excess of 15 mph)
• Careless driving within last 5 years • Assault involving a motor vehicle within last 5 years
• Passing a stopped school bus within last 3 years
Moving Violations
• Speeding violations (unless 15 or miles over the speed limit - see major violations above)
• Improper or excessive lane changes • Following the vehicle ahead too closely
• At-fault accidents (any accident where the driver is cited with a violation, or negligently contributes to the incident; OR; any single vehicle accident that is not caused by actual equipment failure)
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Failure to yield
Please note: this list is not all inclusive, but a general guideline of the types of violations that fall into "Major Violations" and "Moving Violations". The actual wording of a violation varies by state.
NOTE: The Risk and Insurance Department reserves the right to deny or revoke an individual’s driving privileges should that individual exhibit poor judgment of any kind while driving University vehicles. The determination of the privilege to drive a University vehicle is at the discretion of the Risk and Insurance Department, except in the case of employees who must drive for their jobs. In these cases, the Risk and Insurance Department will send a record of the problem to Human Resources, who will work in conjunction with the employee’s Department Head and the CFO to determine whether it is appropriate for the employee to drive. There is no appeal process for employees whose job does not require driving fleet vehicles.
After approval to drive a GU fleet vehicle, you will be notified by email at the email address you indicated on the Driver Application and Agreement form.
As a GU Fleet Vehicle Driver, You Agree:
• Limit the number of passengers in the vehicle to the number of seat belts.
•Require all passengers to use seat restraints.
• Front passenger seat: On any trip with one or more passengers, drivers should make sure that the front passenger seat is occupied and that the person sitting in this seat remains awake. Drivers should remind this passenger that it is his or her responsibility to help the driver stay alert and to assist with directions and maps
• Trailers: Special permission must be obtained from the Risk Management & Insurance Coordinator before pulling trailers behind any fleet vehicles.
• Speed Limit: At no time should a University fleet or rental vehicle be driven at a speed greater than the posted speed limit.
• Cell phones: No drivers will use cell phones at any time while vehicles are in motion or waiting at stoplights, stop signs, traffic jams, etc. Cell phones are only to be used by passengers or by drivers who have pulled over and stopped in a safe location.
• Medications: No drivers, before or during trips, will use medications, alcohol, drugs or other substances that may cause drowsiness or other physical or mental impairment.
• Hitchhikers: Picking up hitchhikers is prohibited.
• Weather Conditions: Drivers and departmental sponsors of student trips are responsible to obtain weather information before and during daily travel to determine if road or weather conditions present hazards along their planned travel route. If University vehicles are already on the road and weather conditions become hazardous, the sponsor must stop the trip, delay or cancel travel planned for that day, and ensure the safety of all passengers and drivers.
• Driving time limits for all University-licensed drivers are:
• Daytime travel: three (3) hours at one time without a break
• Nighttime travel: two (2) hours at one time without a break
• Within 15 minutes of reaching a driving limit, the driver should exit the highway to a safe rest area. The driver must take at least a 15-minute break before resuming driving, or else another University licensed driver who has not been driving must assume driving responsibilities.
• On trips longer than twenty (20) miles, no driver of University fleet vehicles hauling passengers may commence driving after 11:00 p.m. or before 5:00 a.m. Trips and events must be planned so that no drivers are expected or pressured to begin driving between these hours.
• Report any accident as soon as possible here: Auto Accident Report
• Will not discuss who is or is not at fault with persons at the scene of an accident.
• Will remove all trash and personal articles from the vehicle upon the return to campus.
• Not smoke or allow passengers to smoke in fleet vehicles.
• Will complete Pre and Post-trip inspections.
• Pre-trip inspections: Drivers should not operate a vehicle until they complete a pre-trip inspection, including a dent and damage check. Drivers should be satisfied that all necessary parts and components are in good working order. If any damage is found upon the pre-trip inspection, take pictures of the damage and forward them to riskandinsurance@greenville.edu immediately. If the department using this vehicle before you has not reported the damage, they will receive a fine for not reporting the damage. (See University Fines below).
• Post-trip inspections: Post-trip inspections will be conducted by drivers following each trip. Unusual noises, awkward operation, or other problems should be reported on the trip report. Also be sure to remove all personal articles and trash from the vehicle before locking it and turning the trip reports and vehicle keys in to the Student Accounts office upon your return to campus.
Drivers of activity buses must be at least 21 years of age and pass an online driver training course before being allowed to drive this type of vehicle. Contact the Cashier in GCentral to schedule the use of University vehicles. Complete details are found in the Vehicle Trip and Route Safety Policy found here: https://campusservices.greenville.edu/support/solutions/articles/12000044735-vehicletrip-and-route-safety-policy
General Regulations
• Only passengers on official Greenville University business are allowed to ride in Greenville University vehicles.
• Driver and Passengers must follow all federal and state laws at all time, including, but not limited to:
• Number of passengers in the vehicle.
• Seatbelt Usage
• Front passenger seat: On any trip with one or more passengers, drivers should make sure that the front passenger seat is occupied and that the person sitting in this seat remains awake. Drivers should remind this passenger that it is his or her responsibility to help the driver stay alert and to assist with directions and maps.
• Trailers: Special permission must be obtained from the Risk Management & Insurance Coordinator before pulling trailers behind any fleet vehicle.
• Speed Limit: At no time should a University fleet vehicle or rental vehicle be driven at a speed greater than the posted speed limit.
• Cell phones: No drivers will use cell phones at any time while vehicles are in motion or while waiting at stoplights, stop signs, traffic jams, etc. Cell phones are only to be used by passengers or by drivers who have pulled over and stopped in a safe location.
• Medications: No drivers, before or during trips, will use medications, alcohol, drugs or other substances that may cause drowsiness or other physical or mental impairment.
• Hitchhikers: Picking up hitchhikers is not permitted.
• Weather Conditions: Drivers and Departmental Sponsors of student trips are responsible to obtain weather information before and during daily travel to determine if road or weather conditions present hazards along their planned travel route. If University vehicles are already on the road and weather conditions become hazardous, the Sponsor must stop the trip, delay or cancel travel planned for that day, and ensure the safety of all passengers and drivers.
Driving Time Limits Guidelines:
Driving time limits for all University-licensed drivers are:
• Daytime travel: three (3) hours at one time without a break
• Nighttime travel: two (2) hours at one time without a break
• Within 15 minutes of reaching a driving limit, the driver should exit the highway to a safe rest area. The driver must take at least a 15-minute break before resuming driving, or else another University-licensed driver who has not been driving must assume driving responsibilities.
Use of Vehicles
To drive a University vehicle or personal vehicles on University business, employees must follow all motor vehicle laws and regulations, including laws governing cell phone use and electronic communications while driving. Additionally, employees must accept responsibility for the payment of any fines incurred. All drivers and passengers in University vehicles are required to wear safety belts.
Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs or chemicals or firearms or weapons of any kind are not allowed in a University vehicle at any time and no driver who has been drinking alcohol or is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or chemicals is allowed to drive a University vehicle.
If you receive a traffic citation while operating the University vehicle, or are in an accident involving the University vehicle, you must report it to your supervisor as soon as possible. In order to protect the University's insurability, you must report any accident to the police immediately and complete the Auto Accident Report Form found here: https://campusservices.
greenville.edu/support/solutions/articles/12000037220-auto-accidentreporting .
The improper, careless, negligent, or unsafe operation of a University vehicle, as well as excessive or avoidable traffic and parking violations, and any other violation of this policy can result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.