Vehicle Use

Driver Approval Guidelines

All drivers of university-owned vehicles and rented passenger vans must meet the insurability standards mutually set between the University and its insurance provider. To apply for approval, complete the appropriate online Driving Application form (links below).

The Risk Management department determines driver insurability by reviewing a three-year abstract of the persons driving record.  Violations that may affect insurability are:

• Losing a driver's license
• Disqualifying violations such as OVI/DUI
• Operating a vehicle during a period of suspension or revocation
• Using a vehicle in the commission of a felony
• Reckless operation
• Hit and run accident
• Too many violation points

Approved drivers are tracked on the Approved Driver List.  Drivers must immediately report to Risk Management any change that may affect their Approved Driver status.

University-Owned Vehicles

• Drivers of University-Owned vehicles MUST be approved to drive by Risk Management before operating vehicles
• Drivers must be 18 years of age or older and posess a valid U.S. drivers license
  
• BGSU Employees and Students complete the Driving Application for BGSU Employees and Students
  
• Non-BGSU applicants complete the Driving Application for Non Employees
  
• Please allow 3 business days for completion of the driving application
• A list of approved drivers can be found on the Approved Driver List

Rental Vehicles (other than Passenger Van)

• Drivers of Rental Vehicles only do NOT need to be approved by Risk Management to drive rental vehicles
• When renting a vehicle using a BGSU corporate contract "Car Rental", in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, renters may DECLINE the optional insurance as it is included in the negotiated rental rate
• When renting from any other rental company, renters should ACCEPT the optional collision and liability insurance
• Notify Risk Management of any accident and/or vehicle damage in a rented vehicle

Passenger Vans (9 or More People)

• Occupancy of 12 and 15- passenger vans is restricted to TEN (10) people maximum, including the driver. 
• Drivers of passenger vans – those designed to carry 9 or more passengers – must complete the Van Driver Safety training program ONE TIME to become approved to drive passenger vans
  
• This applies to both University-Owned and Rental passenger vans
• To register for the training, complete the Driving Application for BGSU Employees, Students or Non Employees and check the 12/15 Passenger Van box
• Drivers of rented passenger vans must be at least 21 years of age
• Do not place items on the roof of the van
• Effective 11/01/2015, BGSU no longer purchases long wheel base vans (exceeding 135'' wheelbase)              

Golf Carts

Golf Cart Safety

• Drivers of golf carts do NOT need to be approved drivers with Risk Management to drive golf carts
• Drivers of golf carts MUST be 18 years of age and possess a valid U.S. driver’s license

Personal Vehicles

• Drivers of personal vehicles for university business do NOT need to be approved drivers with Risk Management to drive personal vehicles
• When driving personal vehicles, even for university business, the insurance policy covering the vehicle is considered primary for both liability and physical damage

Accident Reporting

• Seek medical attention if needed
• Driver's must notify the appropriate police agency in the jurisdiction in which the accident occurred; contact BGSU police for accidents on campus
• Notify Risk Management of any accidednts via e-mail at riskmgmt@bgsu.edu or by completing the Vehicle Accident Report

• Drivers and passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times that the vehicle is in motion, (e.g., even while driving in and around parking lots).
• Drivers must obey all traffic rules, drive courteously and practice defensive driving techniques.
• Texting while driving is illegal in Ohio and prohibited by the university. Cell phone use should be minimized.
• Drivers may not offer rides to unauthorized passengers (including pets) not related to University business.
• Drivers must remove the keys and lock the vehicle when unattended.
• The University is not responsible for loss or damage to personal belongings of employees or students inside vehicles.
• Drivers, not the university, are solely responsible for payment of all fines for violations committed while operating any vehicle while on university business, including traffic violation fines, parking tickets and/or speeding tickets.

Educational Driving Programs