Student Driver Policy

The College may grant the privilege to drive a fleet vehicle to undergraduate students, in their sophomore, junior or senior year. Graduate Assistants (GAs) and Graduate Resident Directors (GRDs) may also become a Certified Student Driver. 

Students must have a regular, valid/unexpired Pennsylvania driver’s license or U.S. issued driver's license, be at least 20 years of age, and have at least 3 years of driving experience. 

Students who have a junior license are not eligible to drive a college vehicle.

Students must be identified and approved by a Department Director or Dean (with authorized signature) and complete the process below prior to driving a fleet vehicle. 

An Acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) is also required in the state issuing the driver’s license. See section titled, “DETERMINING AN ACCEPTABLE MOTOR VEHICLE RECORD” below. Annual MVR check is required.

Allow at least 10 days to complete the Certification process which includes these steps:

1. Review this Motor Vehicle Operator and Student Driver policy.

2. Complete the Request for Fleet Privileges, Authorization for MVR Check, and Acknowledgement of Student Driver/Motor Vehicle Operator Policy forms. Forms are located on the “Requests” tab of the Portal page. 

   1. Ensure you have obtained an authorized signature from the appropriate Department Director or Dean. 

   2. Email your completed forms to driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu AND 

   3. Present your original valid Driver’s license for in-person inspection in the Office of Human Resources, located on the second floor of the Main Administration Building.

3. Following receipt of these forms, an MVR check will be requested and reviewed. If your MVR is acceptable, as defined herein, you will receive an email from driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu notifying you to proceed with the online driver training courses.

4. Complete Course A (Parts 1 & 2). If you plan or expect to drive a passenger van, also complete Course B.
   Course A - Driving Safely Series: Autos, SUVs, and Pickups
   Course B - Avoiding Large Passenger Van Rollover Accidents

5. Upon completing the course(s), save your passing score (with computer generated name on top) and email to driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu. In the subject line of your email, include your name and “Exam Scores” i.e., Tom Smith: Exam Scores.

6. Schedule Van Orientation/Road Test. If you plan to drive a passenger van, this step is also required. Email driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu, with the subject heading “Request for Van Orientation”. The Physical Plant Office will then coordinate a date and time for you to drive the passenger van locally to get a feel of the size, weight and handling of the vehicle in a variety of driving situations, i.e., highway, parking lots, etc. Professional driver training may be required at the College’s discretion. 

7. Once all requirements are met, you will receive an email from driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu confirming that you have been added to the Approved Driver’s List for insurance purposes. If you are unsure if you are approved, email driverprivileges@mtaloy.edu. 

MVR checks will be conducted annually on Certified Student Drivers. The College reserves the right to review any approved fleet driver’s MVR at any time for any reason in its sole discretion. Fleet driving privileges may be revoked at the discretion of the College. Any driver who fails to complete the required online training will forfeit their fleet privileges.

1. Operate the vehicle in a safe and attentive manner – free of distractions, and any substance, including drugs or alcohol, that could impair your ability or response time.

2. Wear a seat belt at all times and ensure all passengers do the same; do not transport more passengers than there are seatbelts.

3. In the passenger van, forward seats must be loaded first. The front bench seat may NOT be left unfilled while placing passengers in a rear bench seat. Storage is NOT permitted on the roof and storage behind the last row of seats is limited to 100 pounds.

4. Do not sign out a fleet vehicle for someone else. The person to whom the vehicle is issued is responsible for it and should be the primary operator. 

5. Do not allow family members, friends, or other students/peers who are not on the Approved Driver’s List to operate a College vehicle as they are not insured to do so.

6. Do not transport family members, and/or others, not affiliated with the College.

7. Promptly report any sign of damage or mechanical issue/repair to the Physical Plant. If the vehicle is unsafe to drive, report it immediately and discontinue travel until the vehicle is inspected by a qualified mechanic.

8. Use of mobile devices to text or email is strictly prohibited while driving. If you need to use /check your cell phone, find a safe area to pull off the road or ask a passenger for assistance. Use hands-free calling only when unavoidable and keep such calls brief. 

9. Ensure alternate certified drivers are available to relieve you, should you become tired, ill, or need a break from driving to ensure the safety of all persons in the vehicle. 

10. In the event of a Winter Weather Warning, Watch, or Advisory, reconsider and discuss pre-planned travel with immediate supervisor. Always use caution and common sense to ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers.

11. Return fleet vehicles with a full tank of gas and free of trash, debris and personal items. Do not smoke, use tobacco products, or apply/use any fragrance containing product such as cologne, perfume, air fresheners, etc. inside the vehicle.

12. Wipe down the steering wheel, interior control panel and all door handles with disinfectant upon your return to prevent the spread of viruses and other infections to the next driver/occupants.

13. Adhere to traffic regulations and engage in safe/courteous driving practices. Observe all state and local motor vehicle laws, ordinances, and regulations. Fines associated with a traffic citation received while operating a College vehicle are the responsibility of the driver/student.

14. Fleet vehicles generally display the College name and logo which identify you and your passengers as representatives of Mount Aloysius College. The actions of all occupants reflects directly on the College and may be reported to the College by other drivers.

15. Immediately notify the Human Resources Office at humanresources@mtaloy.edu and your immediate supervisor of any suspension, revocation or limitation placed on your driver’s license; or any citation or arrest that could negatively affect your MVR.

16. In the event of an accident, call 911 for EMS/Police. Remain at the scene and cooperate fully with law enforcement.

    1. Check for injuries if safe and able to do so. 

    2. Set 4-way flashers to alert oncoming traffic and prevent further damage or injury. 

    3. Locate the Emergency Accident Kit in the vehicle glove box (includes vehicle registration card, insurance card, and accident report form for details.) Exchange this information with the other driver(s) including their Name, Address, driver’s license number, State of issuance, Phone number, License Plate number, State, Make, Model, Owner, Insurance Policy number and carrier.

    4. Make statements about the accident only to police and request an accident report be filed. 

    5. Notify Campus Police within 24 hours of any accident, whether on or off campus, to initiate the filing of an internal accident report for insurance purposes.

The VP for People & Mission Integration/CHRO and Sr. VP for Administration & Strategy have final purview to determine whether or not an MVR is acceptable. Two (2) categories of violations will be considered:

Type 1 Violations occurring in the prior five (5) year period will preclude an otherwise eligible driver from obtaining fleet privileges. A Type I violation that occurred more than five (5) years ago will be carefully reviewed with regard to facts, circumstances and time to assess whether or not fleet privileges will be granted. Type I violations include:

• Driving without a license or under a suspended or revoked license; Hit and Run, eluding a police officer or fleeing the scene of an accident; Vehicular homicide or aggravated assault by vehicle; Use of a motor vehicle in the commission of a felony; Filing a false accident report.

• Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) or operating a vehicle while impaired; Reckless Driving.

A Type I violation occurring as a student will result in revocation of fleet privileges which may be temporary or permanent. 

Type 2 Summary Traffic Violations Multiple summary offenses occurring in the prior three (3) years. The facts and circumstances will be evaluated and consideration given to type, frequency, and time between violations. An unacceptable MVR includes more than four (4) summary traffic violations; two (2) or more At-Fault Accidents or a combination of summary traffic violations and At-Fault Accidents that totals more than four (4) violations. Once three (3) years have elapsed from the date of a Summary Traffic Violation, or an At-Fault Accident, it will no longer be considered.

Following a change in the driver’s record, the College will re-evaluate whether or not a previously Certified Student Driver continues to be eligible for fleet privileges. 

A chargeable accident will be deemed an At-Fault Accident. Consideration will be given to time (how recent), frequency and type of other violation(s) that may exist. These factors and the perceived risk to the College and public safety will be considered. Certified Student Drivers will be given the opportunity to provide additional information.

If the MVR is no longer acceptable, the supervisor and appropriate Vice President or PEC member will be consulted to determine an appropriate course of action which may include driver training, suspension, and/or revocation of fleet driving privileges. The outcome of this evaluation shall be documented and forwarded to Human Resources so that the College’s Approved Driver’s List may be updated accordingly.