DISTRICT-OWNED
VEHICLES
Drivers’ Eligibility
An
APS driver’s permit is required to operate all APS vehicles. For the purposes
of this directive, an "APS vehicle" is defined as any motorized
vehicle that will be used on public streets and/or school grounds that is owned,
leased, or otherwise operated by APS.
APS
driver’s permits will be issues by the Risk Management department and require a
valid
The Risk Management Department will conduct a Motor
Vehicle Department check on the validity of each driver’s license.
A. Checks will be conducted:
1. Upon initial
assignment of, or authorization to use an APS Vehicle;
2. At least once every
year thereafter.
B. Risk
Management will notify the appropriate Director (or immediate supervisor in the
case of a Director) of any driver who has his or her license suspended or
revoked.
No driver will
be allowed to operate an APS Vehicle if:
A. The person's driving license is
currently suspended, revoked, or otherwise disqualified;
B. The person has pled or been found
guilty (including pleas of nolo
contendere) of any of the following:
1. Any DUI/DWI conviction within the
past 3 years;
2. Any conviction for reckless or
careless driving within the past 3 years;
3. Any conviction for homicide
resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle; or
4. Causing a fatal accident as the
result of operating a motor vehicle;
C. There
has been a judicial finding or decree of juvenile delinquency in the past 3
years as a result of any of the conduct described in paragraph B above; or
D. The person has more than 3 tickets
for moving violations in the last 2 years.
Should an
employee who is required to operate an APS vehicle in performance of job duties
become ineligible because of item B, C, or D above, the employee shall be
removed from his/her position. The
employee is free to apply for a position within APS that does not require the operation
of a motor vehicle that he/she may otherwise qualify for and can perform the
essential functions of. The district is not responsible to create a
position or to move an employee into a position he or she is unqualified for.
Driver’s License Suspension
Drivers must report suspension or revocation of their
driver’s license to their supervisor immediately.
Should
an employee have his/her driver’s or chauffeur’s license suspended or revoked
for whatever reason, and it is necessary that the employee operate an APS
vehicle in performance of job duties, the following procedures will be
performed in sequence.
A.
At the first
infraction, the supervisor will conduct a conference with the employee and will
also provide written notification that the employee is in a progressive
discipline situation which could lead to termination.
1.
The employee will
be transferred to another position that does not require operating an APS
vehicle that the employee is otherwise qualified for. Transfer may be to a lower-level position.
2.
If no position is
available or acceptable, the employee will be suspended without pay for as long
as the situation exists. Maximum allowed time: 120 calendar days from the date
of license suspension. After 120 days
the employee will be terminated.
3.
The supervisor
may encourage the employee to contact the Employee Assistance Program for
counseling and referral.
B.
At the second
infraction, the employee will be discharged immediately.
C.
Supervisors
involved in these situations will keep the appropriate Human Resources
administrator informed.
Driver
Requirements
All
drivers of APS vehicles must complete the Defensive Driver Course, and periodic
refresher training. Failure to attend the Defensive Driver Course will result
in suspension of APS vehicle driving privileges until the training is
completed.
Each authorized driver must have a fuel key assigned
by Fleet Management.
The driver and all passengers shall use their seat
belts any time the vehicle is moving.
The driver shall obey all applicable traffic laws. Failure to obey traffic laws may be grounds
for disciplinary action.
Drivers
shall refrain from using cellular telephones while driving. Drivers shall pull over and stop to make and
receive phone calls unless the phone is equipped with hands-free microphone and
speaker.
Smoking is not permitted in APS vehicles.
Drivers
and passengers shall neither be under the influence of, nor carry in their
possession, alcohol or any controlled substance while in APS vehicles.
A bi-weekly
inspection must be done on all vehicles using forms provided by Fleet
Management. Copies of inspection reports
must be submitted to Fleet Management
All
vehicle accidents must be immediately reported to your supervisor, Risk
Management, and to Fleet Management.
Drivers
of district-owned vehicles will be tested for drugs and alcohol following motor
vehicle accidents that result in: (1) a fatality (a fatality means any injury
which results in the death of a person as a result of an accident); (2) injury
to a person requiring immediate treatment away from the scene of the accident;
or (3) disabling damage to a vehicle requiring it to be towed from the scene.
Drivers
must report to their supervisor any citations or tickets received while in an
APS vehicle. Drivers are responsible to
pay any fines associated with citations or tickets received while in an APS
vehicle – district funds shall not be used to pay fines.
Take Home Vehicles
The School Police Department is the only Department
authorized to assign take-home vehicles.
Cross Ref.: Board Policy E.01, E.04
Procedural Directive
Employee Drug and Alcohol Testing
APS Driver/Operator Responsibilities Guide for APS
Vehicles, Equipment and Related Equipment
Legal Ref.: OSHA 1910 General
Duty Clause, Equipment Operators Standard, Driver’s Standard
DOT Comprehensive Driver’s License Law
NSBA/NEPN Classification: EEBA
Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997
Revised: January 2005
Revised: September 2005
Revised:
March 2007