Transportation policies and guidelines FAQs

In response to the excellent feedback provided by the campus community, Drake University has modified its transportation-related policies and guidelines to further limit the circumstances under which an individual is subject to an annual audit of their MVR and required to complete annual driver safety training,  The following FAQs have been developed to highlight those changes and to address other questions and concerns raised in response to the previously proposed transportation-related policies and guidelines:

  1. If I only travel on behalf of the University or as part of University-sponsored events occasionally or on a very rare basis do these updated transportation policies and guidelines apply to me?

    Yes, all individuals traveling on behalf of the University or as part of University-sponsored events are required to adhere to the safety, approval and notification requirements outlined in Drake’s transportation related policies and guidelines.

  2. If I am subject to the University’s Student Domestic Travel Policy am I also subject to the requirements of the University’s other updated transportation policies and guidelines (e.g., the Transportation Policy and University Driver Approval and Vehicle Use Policy)?

    Yes, all individuals traveling on behalf of the University or as part of a University-sponsored event, including Student Domestic Travel, are required to adhere to the safety, approval and notification requirements outlined in Drake’s transportation related policies and guidelines, where applicable to their individual circumstances.

  3. Am I subject to an annual University audit of my motor vehicle record (MVR) and required to complete annual University approved driver safety training?

    In response to feedback provided by the campus community, Drake has modified these requirements.  As a result, individuals are only subject to an annual audit of their MVR and required to complete annual driver safety training if they meet any of the following criteria:

    On behalf of the University or as part of a University-sponsored event, you: 
    1. Drive a University-owned vehicle;
    2. Drive a vehicle rented by the University for non-personal University business or University-sponsored events;
    3. Drive an average of five times per week;
    4. Drive a large passenger vehicle rated for nine or more passengers;*
    5. Are a currently enrolled student transporting other students, faculty or staff in your personal vehicle to field trips, camps or other non-personal University-sponsored business or events;
    6. Are an employee whose essential job functions include driving for the University.**

      *Additional requirements may apply for individuals seeking approval to drive vehicles rated for more than fifteen passengers; individuals seeking approval to drive a large passenger vehicle should contact Kelly Foster at durisk@drake.edu for more information.

      ** Employees who are required, as an essential function of their job duties, to drive on behalf of the University or for University-sponsored events are required to immediately notify their supervisor if their driver’s license is suspended or revoked.

  4. Does Drake University’s insurance coverage protect me if I use the University discount to rent a vehicle for personal use?

    No, the University’s insurance coverage does not extend to any damage sustained by rental vehicles that are rented for purposes of personal use even if the individual renting the vehicle obtains a discounted rental rate using the University’s personal use discount.

  5. Where should I go to view a copy of Drake University’s updated transportation policies and guidelines?

    Drake University’s updated transportation related policies and guidelines are published in the University Policy library and available for review.

Jessica Morgan-Tate, Finance & Administration