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Home My WebLink About700-08POLICY & PROCEDURE Subject: Driver Eligibility Index: Human Resources & Risk Management Number: 700-08 Effective Date: 09/30/2020 Supersedes: 2/10/1997 Page: 1 of 4 Staff Contact: Ellen Bradley-Mak Approved by: 1.0 PURPOSE: To establish criteria for eligibility to drive on City business. 2.0 ORGANIZATIONS AFFECTED: All departments/divisions with the exception of the Police Department. 3.0 REFERENCES: Policy & Procedure #100-03 –Vehicle Use Policy & Procedure #300-47 - Discipline Policy & Procedure #370-06 – Hiring Process 700-08 Appendix A: City of Renton Driving Standards 4.0 POLICY: 4.1 Driver Eligibility Criteria: Only drivers that meet the following eligibility criteria will be allowed to drive on City business: 4.1.1 Be a City employee; and 4.1.2 Be at least 18 years old if not driving passengers, or at least 21 years old if driving passengers; and 4.1.3 Hold a valid, unrestricted Washington State driver’s license; and 4.1.4 Possess the necessary license or certifications for the vehicle being driven e.g., CDL); and 700-08 Driver Eligibility Page 2 4.1.5 Have and maintain an acceptable driving record, as detailed in Section 4.3. Note: Selected volunteers and employees under 21 years old who drive passengers may be approved to drive on City business if they meet all other criteria and if both the Department Administrator and Risk Management approve. 4.2 Golf Carts and Utility Vehicles: To drive a golf cart or a utility vehicle, an individual must: 4.2.1 Be a City employee; and 4.2.2 Be at least 16 years old; and 4.2.3 Complete training as required by the employee’s department. 4.3 Applicants: All prospective employees who will be assigned a City vehicle or who will drive a City vehicle to complete the essential functions of their position shall meet the driver eligibility criteria listed in Section 4.1 and Section 6.0, including having an acceptable driving record per Appendix A: City of Renton Driving Standards at the time of hire. 4.4 Employees: All employees who are assigned a City vehicle or who drive a City vehicle as described in Policy #100-03, Vehicle Use Policy, shall meet the driver eligibility criteria listed in Section 4.1 and Section 6.0, including having and maintaining an acceptable driving record per Appendix A: City of Renton Driving Standards. 5.0 DEFINITIONS: 5.1 Abstract of Driving Record, or Driving Abstract: See Driving Record. 5.2 Driving Record: A history of violations, convictions, and collisions incurred by a driver. A copy of the record is referred to as either an Abstract of Driving Record, Driving Abstract, or Driving Record. 5.3 Safety Officer: Designated representative of the Human Resources & Risk Management Department. 5.4 City Vehicle: Any vehicle owned or leased by the City. City vehicles can either be assigned to one employee or part of a department pool. 700-08 Driver Eligibility Page 3 6.0 PROCEDURES: 6.1 Driving Record Review for Applicants: 6.1.1 All prospective employees who will be assigned a City Vehicle or who will drive a City vehicle to complete the essential functions of their position must submit official state driving records from the previous 5 years as a condition of employment during the hiring process detailed in Policy 370-06. 6.1.1.1 The record must show a minimum of 60 months (5 years) prior to the date of application. Driving records of applicants with less than 60 months of driving experience will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by Risk Management. 6.1.2 The driving record will be evaluated by the Human Resources and Risk Management Department (HRRM) using the point system detailed in Appendix A: City of Renton Driving Standards. 6.1.3 New employees may be approved to drive with a valid driver’s license from another state, U.S. territory, or foreign country. The employee must obtain and provide a valid Washington State driver’s license to HRRM within 30 days of employment. 6.1.4 No duties involving the operation of a City vehicle will be permitted until the employee’s driving record has been received, evaluated, and approved by Risk Management. 6.2 Driving Record Review for Employees: 6.2.1 All employees who drive a City vehicle in performance of essential functions of their position will have their driving record checked periodically by HRRM. To the extent possible, their driving record will be checked every two years. 6.2.2 The driving record review will be evaluated by HRRM using the point system detailed in Appendix A: City of Renton Driving Standards. 6.2.3 If employment is contingent on driving a vehicle, ineligibility to drive may prevent the performance of essential job functions and the employee may be subject to termination. 700-08 Driver Eligibility Page 4 6.2.4 An employee driving a City vehicle and whose license is suspended, revoked, cancelled, or otherwise restricted (e.g., Ignition Interlock Device) is subject to the following: 6.2.4.1 If employment is contingent on driving a vehicle, employees must report a change in driver’s license status to their supervisor and the Safety Officer within the next business day and are prohibited from driving for City business until cleared. 6.2.4.2 If employment is contingent on driving a vehicle, and a suspended, revoked, cancelled, or restricted license affects or prevents the performance of essential functions of the job, the employee may be subject to termination. 6.2.4.3 If an employee operates a City vehicle without a valid driver’s license, the employee may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination according to policy #300-47. 6.3 Reporting a Change in Driver’s License Status: 6.3.1 Under no circumstances, will an employee drive on City business, in a City vehicle or personal vehicle, without a valid driver’s license. 6.3.2 It is the employee’s responsibility to notify their supervisor and the Safety Officer within the next business day with a change in driver’s license status, including a suspended, revoked, canceled, or otherwise restricted (e.g., Ignition Interlock Device) license. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination according to policy #300-47. 700-08 Appendix A: City of Renton Driver Standards Page 1 of 2 Applicants for positions that entail the operation of a City vehicle shall be required to submit a Department of Licensing driving record, also known as a driving abstract, prior to an offer of employment. This record must cover a period of 60 months (5 years) preceding the date of application. The following driver point value guide will be used to evaluate driving records for City of Renton applicants and employees. A driving record with fewer than 3 points is acceptable. Applicants whose driving record is evaluated with 3 or 4 points will be critically considered. A driving record with 5 or more points is unacceptable, with exceptions granted on a case-by-case basis. Those applicants possessing an invalid or suspended license are not eligible to operate a vehicle for the City under any circumstances. Questions should be directed to the Human Resources and Risk Management Department at (425) 430-7650. DRIVER POINT VALUE GUIDE Explanation Points NON-SPEED-RELATED MOVING VIOLATIONS At fault accident 2 Attempting to elude a police vehicle (RCW 46.61.024) 3 Cellphone/texting/headphones/TV (RCW 46.61.667 & 46.61.668 2 Defective equipment/Muffler/Exhaust 1 Disobey road sign/school patrol (RCW 46.61.050 & 46.61.385) 1 Disobey signal person or officer (RCW 46.61.015) 2 Driving on shoulder/sidewalk (RCW 46.61.606) 2 Driving without lights after dusk (RCW 46.37.020) 1 Driving with a suspended/revoked/canceled license (RCW 46.20.342) 4 Driving wrong way: 2 On one-way street or freeway (RCW 46.61.135) On wrong side of road/cross divider (RCW 46.61.150) Straddling or over center line (RCW 46.61.140) Failure to keep to the right (RCW 46.61.100) 1 Failure to maintain control (RCW 46.61.445) 1 Failure to signal/improper signal (RCW 46.61.305) 1 Failure to stop (RCW 46.61.055) 2 Failure to yield right of way (RCW 46.61.180) 1 Following too closely (RCW 46.61.145) 1 High occupancy vehicle lane violation (RCW 46.61.165) 1 Illegal or missing vehicle equipment 1 Revision 07/27/2020 Page 2 of 2 Impeding traffic (RCW 46.61.100) 1 Improper backing (RCW 46.61.605) Improper lane change/lane travel (RCW 46.61.140) 1 1 Improper passing (RCW 46.61.110) 2 Improper turn (cutting corners) (RCW 46.61.290) 1 Inattention to driving 2 No license on person – driving without CDL license 1 No proof of liability insurance 1 Obstructed vision or control (RCW 46.61.615) 1 Open container violation – driver (3) or passenger (2) (RCW 46.61.519) 2-3 Overtaking or passing on the right 1 Passing stop school bus (RCW 46.61.370) 2 Seatbelt – driver or passenger 1 SPEED-RELATED MOVING VIOLATIONS Negligent driving – 2nd degree (RCW 46.61.525 or 46.61.526) 2 Prohibited turn (U-turn) (RCW 46.61.295) 1 Racing (RCW 46.61.530) 3 Reckless: 3 Driving (RCW 46.61.500) Endangerment (RCW 9A.36.050) Endangerment in construction zone (RCW 46.61.527) Speeding/Speeding in school zone (RCW 46.61.400 & 46.61.440) 1 CRIMINAL VIOLATIONS Driving under the influence/Physical control (RCW 46.61.502 & 46.61.504) 5 Failure to secure load (safety chains/devices) – 1st degree (RCW 46.37.490) 3 Failure to secure load (safety chains/devices) – 2nd degree (RCW 46.37.490) 2 Hit and run: 5 Occupied vehicle (RCW 46.52.020) Unoccupied vehicle (RCW 46.52.010) Negligent driving – 1st degree (RCW 46.61.5249) 3 Vehicular assault (RCW 46.61.522) 5 Vehicular homicide (RCW 46.61.520) 5 This list may not be inclusive of all violations that are assessed points.