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This policy sets standards for the appropriate use of Dartmouth owned or leased vehicles and outlines mechanisms to reduce the frequency and cost of accidents.
This policy is intended to:
College Approved Driver
Only College-approved faculty, staff and students may operate College-owned, leased, rented or personal vehicles for official College business. Undergraduate students must follow additional provisions set forth in the Student Driver Policy.
Types of Vehicles
Approved drivers are limited to operating these specific vehicle types while on official College business:
By exception Transportation Services may approve drivers to operate vehicle types that are considered commercial use on Dartmouth College business and are subject to Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Standards and New Hampshire law as detailed below.
Vehicle Operation, Control and Responsibilities
Reporting of Motor Vehicle Driving Infractions
It is the responsibility of each approved driver to notify Transportation Services and their supervisor or program director within three business days of an arrest, citing, conviction, or license suspension for any traffic violation, including but not limited to speeding, driving, or operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, reckless operation, and conduct after an accident.
Vehicle Maintenance & Safety
Service maintenance of College-owned and/or leased vehicles shall be in accordance with instructions prescribed by the manufacturer.
Drivers should report maintenance or repair needs to their supervisor for follow-up. Before taking trips away from campus, it is recommended the driver double check the following:
All required vehicles must be equipped with a back-up warning device that sounds automatically whenever the vehicle is put into reverse.
The glove compartment of each College vehicle shall contain, always, the vehicle's registration, accident investigation form, an insurance identification card, a maintenance log for documenting prescribed service/maintenance, and the quarterly safety inspection record.
Insurance
College Insurance is mandatory on any College-owned or leased vehicle or motorized equipment.
The College's auto liability program is intended only for business use of College-owned, rented or leased vehicles.
Use of personal vehicles for College business, although not prohibited, is strongly discouraged. Employees who use their personal vehicle for College business should be aware that their vehicle insurance is primary should an accident occur. Employees who use their vehicle for College business are required to carry a minimum of $100,000/$300,000 in auto liability coverage.
Accident Reporting
At the scene of an accident; regardless of the severity:
Record Review
Regular review of Approved Driver motor vehicle records will be conducted as follows:
All motor vehicle record checks are paid by the sponsoring department.
Dartmouth reserves the right to review the driving record of any approved driver to determine driver eligibility.
A vehicle for purposes of this policy, includes all motor vehicles and equipment that are required to be registered by the State of New Hampshire.
College Approved Drivers are those who meet the following criteria:
Have successfully completed all required driver safety programs.
For positions with DOT and CDL licensure must:
Have a satisfactory Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) as determined by Transportation Services.
Denial of Revocation of Driver Approval & Consequences
Drivers are denied or disqualified from being a College Approved Driver as follows:
Appeals Process
Denied and disqualified employees whose state driving privileges are valid may elect to file a formal written appeal to request Dartmouth Approved Driver status. The Director of Transportation Services and Associate Vice President of Business & Hospitality will review the appeal and have final say over the outcome.
Point Reduction
Denied and disqualified drivers who do not meet the criteria for Approved Driver status because of accruing seven (7) or more points on their record within two years may apply to Transportation Service for Approved Driver status before the two-year period passes after successful completion of a state approved three-point reduction program to effectively reduce their total 'points' to six (6) or less.
Return of Approved Driver Status