Eligible Drivers

All University employees, volunteers conducting programs for the good of the University, and members of eligible affiliate organizations are eligible drivers. Drivers must have a valid and current U.S. operator’s license for the vehicle being driven and have an acceptable driving record as defined by the Fleet Safety Program. Volunteers or agents may be considered employees for vehicle liability coverage, provided the vehicle is used solely for the benefit of the University or to conduct University business and the volunteer or agent is officially authorized to drive by the head of the department. Eligible drivers are NOT contractors, consultants or vendors, visiting faculty or staff from non-Iowa Regent universities, visiting artists or speakers, special event groups, government representatives, visiting athletic teams, student groups or clubs (except as noted below) or community organizations.

University vehicles are not to be driven by undergraduate students unless doing so as an ISU employee or accompanied by an authorized faculty or staff member, and have met the University driving requirements and received authorization to drive.

The Government of the Student Body (GSB) owns vehicles for use by student organizations and clubs.

The following are special circumstances whereby a student may be authorized to drive a university vehicle.

  1. Class Field Trips - A student may drive the university vehicle if an authorized faculty or staff member is in the vehicle. This is primarily intended to prevent driver fatigue on long trips. It is recommended that drivers rotate every 2 hours. Due to limited number of faculty or staff, students may drive unaccompanied in caravan with another vehicle in which a faculty or staff is driving.

  2. Summer Field Camps - These are considered class field trips of a longer duration. It is sometimes necessary, due to logistics and/or the limited number of faculty or staff members, that a student is allowed to drive unaccompanied. The frequency and duration of these times will be held to a minimum.

  3. Special Programs Benefiting the University - A program that involves students who are performing a specific assignment; e.g., recruitment of prospective students, tour guides, etc., may be authorized to drive unaccompanied as a special circumstance.

  4. Student Employees of Iowa State University - For purposes of this policy, students on the University payroll are classified as casual hourly employees. They will be subject to all reviews and requirements of this policy.

  5. Special Vehicle Needs – Student organizations needing special vehicles to pull large trailers may use University vehicles. Drivers must complete a special defensive driving class offered by Transportation Services before driving a University vehicle.