Fleet Safety Program

Princeton University’s fleet includes owned and leased cars, vans, trucks, golf carts, and construction vehicles that are used to transport people and things on and around campus. These vehicles are operated by employees and students under stringent safety guidelines. University vehicles may only be operated by approved drivers and only for University business.  Please refer to the Fleet Safety Policy for the complete policy.

Departmental Responsibilities

Each department with responsibility for University vehicles appoints a Departmental Fleet Representative (DFR) to be the primary contact and liaison with Risk Management and the Fleet Safety Committee. If you are a DFR, it is your responsibility to:

  • Provide instruction to people wanting to drive on how to complete the approval process via the onboarding portal.
  • Maintain a listing of all authorized departmental drivers and all departmental vehicles.
  • Notify RM for any of the below:
    • If DFR becomes aware that a departmental driver’s license has been revoked or suspended for any reason.
    • Of accidents and/or damage to University vehicles as soon as practicable.
    • If DFR changes
  • Ensure that each vehicle owned or leased by the department is properly licensed, registered, has a current insurance card and all information is current in the Capital Asset system.
  • Coordinate all vehicle maintenance with Facilities Department and maintain a record of the maintenance, repairs and inspections performed for each vehicle. 
  • Notify Human Resources of any position that requires a driver’s license.
  • Review the details of any accident that involves an authorized driver from the department.

Driver Responsibilities

If you are a driver, you must:

  • Maintain a valid, in-force United States driver’s license during the length of time you wish to be authorized to drive.
  • Complete driver authorization process.
  • Upload a copy of your driver’s license to the Princeton University Driver Certification portal whenever it is renewed.
  • Report any accidents or damage to Supervisor, DFR and Risk Management as soon as possible.
  • Report any accidents or damage while driving a personal vehicle on Princeton University business to Supervisor, or DFR as soon as possible.
  • Notify supervisor and/or DFR immediately if driver’s license is revoked or suspended for any reason. 
  • Report any moving violations to supervisor and/or DFR within 48 hours of receiving them.
  • Report any changes in medical condition affecting driving status to Occupational Health Services (OHS) for employees and University Health Services (UHS) for students within 48 hours of receiving them.
  • Comply with the Vehicle Use Agreement, Regulations and Safety Guidelines as outlined in the Fleet Safety Policy.

Become an Authorized University Driver

Requirements for ALL DRIVERS 

  • Be formally affiliated with Princeton University – employees, faculty members, undergraduate students, graduate students
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • A valid, in-force United States driver’ license held for a minimum of 2 years. 
  • Provisional, probationary or temporary licenses are not accepted.
  • International licenses are not accepted.
  • Drive at least 2000 miles on US roads in the last 2 years
  • Have a satisfactory MVR, with none of the following violations:
    • Driving while under the influence or while intoxicated (DUI or DWI) in the past 2 years. 
    • Negligent homicide.
    • Driving with a suspended license in the past 2 years.
    • 6+ traffic violation points.
    • Combined total of three citations in 2 years of moving violations or at-fault accidents.

ADDITIONAL Requirements for Undergraduate Students

  • Successfully complete the online drive safe training course, as detailed in Section V below. 
  • Successfully complete a road test with Public Safety, as detailed in Section V below. The road test is not required if you are only seeking golf cart driver authorization.

Revocation of Driving Privileges

Drivers may be denied driving authorization or may have their authorization revoked for the following reasons:

  • Driving Related:
    • Using a University owned, leased or rented vehicle without authorization.
    • Using a Princeton University vehicle for personal business.
    • Getting into a motor vehicle accident.
    • Driving while intoxicated.
    • Driving under the influence.
    • Negligent homicide.
    • Operating a vehicle with a suspended license.
    • Using a motor vehicle for commission of a felony.
    • Aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.
    • Reckless, careless, and/or negligent driving.
    • Hit and run accident.
    • Excessive speeds or racing.
    • Operating a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent.
    • Permitting an unlicensed driver to drive.
    • 6+ traffic violation points.
    • Provisional or Probationary license.
    • Transporting hitch-hikers or unauthorized passengers.
    • Other violations as determined by the Fleet Safety Committee.
  • Behavioral Actions:
  • Failure to comply with University regulations, including but not limited to those regarding driving authorization and fleet safety policy.
  • Students Only: Current suspension or probation from participating in activities or athletics in the past 2 years.
  • Students Only: Using a University owned, leased or rented vehicle without authorization.
  • Other violations as determined by the Fleet Safety Committee.