Albuquerque Public Schools
PE6 District-Owned Vehicles
Drivers’ Licenses
For the purposes of this procedural directive, an "Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle" means any motorized vehicle that will be operated on public streets/property, owned, leased, or otherwise operated by Albuquerque Public Schools.
A valid New Mexico driver’s license is required to operate all Albuquerque Public Schools vehicles.
The Fleet Maintenance Department will conduct a Motor Vehicle Department to determine the validity of each driver’s license.
These determinations shall be conducted:
- Upon initial assignment of, or authorization to use an Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle;
- At least monthly. If the license has been suspended or revoked, the Fleet Maintenance Department shall immediately notify the immediate supervisor of the employee whose license is in question if their job duties require a valid driver’s license as a condition of employment.
Pursuant to commercial driver’s license (CDL) requirements, individuals shall not be permanently hired and may be terminated as a bus driver, or in any other position with requires the transportation of students, if the person has been convicted of:
- A DUI/DWI in the past ten (10) years;
- Reckless or careless driving in the past ten (10) years; and/or
- A fatal accident conviction at any time in their history.
No driver will be allowed to operate an Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle if:
- The person's driving license is currently suspended, revoked, or otherwise disqualified;
- The person has pled or been found guilty (including pleas of nolo contendere) of any of the following:
- Any DUI/DWI conviction within the past 5 years;
- Any conviction for reckless or careless driving within the past 5 years;
- Any conviction for homicide resulting from the operation of a motor vehicle; or
- Causing a fatal accident as the result of operating a motor vehicle;
- There has been a judicial finding or decree of juvenile delinquency in the past 5 years as a result of any of the conduct described in the paragraph above; or
- The person has more than three (3) tickets for moving violations in the last two (2) years.
Individuals who become ineligible to maintain their district-owned vehicle driving privileges who’s employment requires the individual to operate a district-owned vehicle may be terminated or administratively placed in an alternate position due to inability to meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Driver’s License Suspension
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 Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle in performance of job duties, the following procedures shall be performed in sequence.
At the first infraction, the supervisor shall conduct a conference with the employee and will provide written notification that the employee is in a progressive discipline situation that could lead to termination.
The employee will be transferred to another position that does not require operating an Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle. Transfer may be to a lower-level position.
If no position is available or acceptable, the employee shall be suspended without pay for as long as the situation exists.
The supervisor may encourage the employee to contact the Employee Assistance Program for counseling and referral.
At the second infraction, the employee shall be discharged immediately.
Supervisors involved in these situations shall keep the appropriate Human Resources administrator informed.
Authorization to Operate District-Owned Vehicle Minimum Requirements
All drivers of Albuquerque Public Schools’ vehicles shall complete the Defensive Driver Course upon initial application of authorization to drive an Albuquerque Public Schools and shall complete a bi-annual training thereafter. Failure to attend the Defensive Driver Course shall result in suspension of APS vehicle driving privileges until the training is completed.
The driver shall obey all applicable traffic laws, including seat belt requirements and all applicable laws related to alcohol and drug use and possession.
Smoking shall be prohibited in Albuquerque Public Schools vehicles.
Drivers shall be responsible for meeting all routine maintenance requirements of Albuquerque Public Schools vehicles as outline in the Fleet Maintenance Department’s schedule and standards. Drivers shall also report all maintenance issues for repair to the Fleet Maintenance Department.
All vehicle accidents shall be immediately reported to the driver’s immediate supervisor and to Risk Management.
Drivers shall report to their supervisor any citations or tickets received while in an Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle. Drivers are responsible to pay any fines associated with citations or tickets while in an Albuquerque Public Schools vehicle – district funds shall not be used to pay fines.
Vehicle Utilization
Monitoring Responsibilities: The District Vehicle Utilization Committee will make recommendations, as needed, to the Superintendent for the utilization of district vehicles. The vehicle utilization evaluation committee shall consist of the Chief Operating Officer, an Associate Superintendent, and other designees as appointed.
The Committee shall receive staff support and technical data from the district fleet manager who shall serve in a non-voting capacity and be the committee secretary.
The committee shall meet quarterly and perform the following functions:
- Review requests for vehicle replacements
- Review vehicle utilization and distribution to assure appropriate mileage and chronological age
- Recommend funding sources for vehicle replacements
- Review requests for additional vehicles
- Recommend positions to be authorized take home vehicles
The committee’s findings and recommendations shall be forwarded to the Superintendent for final approval.
Fleet Manager
The Maintenance and Operations fleet maintenance manager is appointed the additional duty of district vehicle fleet manager. He/she shall be responsible for maintaining a district motor pool for vehicle check out for occasional and/or out of district travel. Request for a motor pool vehicle shall be submitted twenty-four (24) hours prior except in unusual/emergency situations.
Take-Home Vehicles and Buses
Albuquerque Public Schools shall limit take-home vehicles to only those positions and employees that are approved by the superintendent. These vehicles may include district-owned school buses.
The Fleet Maintenance Department shall maintain accurate records, including name and employee number, of those positions and employees who have been granted permission to take home their vehicle. Employees that take home vehicles shall be informed of the requirements of this procedural directive, including information that use of a take-home vehicle is a taxable transaction by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The chief financial officer, or his/her designee, shall be notified of any employee authorized to use a take-home vehicle so appropriate tax reporting is completed.
Personal use of an Albuquerque Public Schools owned take-home vehicle shall be limited and all use of the vehicle shall be related to school business. Personal use would include driving to and from home, but use of the vehicle on weekends, holidays, or annual leave shall not be authorized unless it is related to Albuquerque Public School business.
Administrative Position: Chief Operations Officer
Department Director: Executive Director of Maintenance and Operations
References
Legal Cross Ref.: OSHA 1910 General Duty Clause
Board Policy Cross Ref.: EE2 District-Owned Vehicles
Procedural Directive Cross Ref.:
NSBA/NEPN Classification: EEBA
Revised: May 1995
Revised: April 1996
Revised: May 1997
Revised: January 2005
Revised: September 2005
Reviewed: July 12, 2017
Revised: July 12, 2017