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Transportation – Loss of Driving Privileges

Loss of Driving Privileges

The privilege to operate a Palomar College vehicle may be suspended or revoked at any time due to unsafe driving practices, violations of College policy, unacceptable driving records, failure to maintain eligibility requirements, or conduct determined to place the District, passengers, or the public at risk.

The District reserves the right to investigate accidents, incidents, citations, complaints, and reports of unsafe driving behavior. Driver eligibility may also be reviewed through participation in the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Employer Pull Notice (EPN) Program.

Accident and Incident Reviews

Preventable or at-fault accidents may result in suspension or revocation of driving privileges, required driver training, corrective action, and/or disciplinary action.

Examples of preventable or at-fault accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Following another vehicle too closely
  • Backing accidents
  • Intersection-related accidents
  • Driving too fast for roadway or weather conditions
  • Leaving the scene of an accident involving injury, death, or property damage
  • Failure to exercise reasonable care while operating a College vehicle

All accidents involving College vehicles will be reviewed to determine cause and responsibility. Findings may be documented and maintained in accordance with District procedures.

Drivers are personally responsible for payment of any citations, fines, penalties, or fees incurred while operating a College vehicle.

Alcohol and Drug Use

The operation of a College-owned, leased, or rented vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, controlled substances, or any medication that impairs driving ability is strictly prohibited and may result in immediate loss of driving privileges and disciplinary action.

Employees are prohibited from operating College vehicles while taking prescription or over-the-counter medications that may impair their ability to safely operate a motor vehicle.

Reference: Palomar Community College District Administrative Procedures

  • AP 3550 – Drug-Free Environment and Drug Prevention Program
  • AP 3560 – Alcoholic Beverages

Automatic Suspension or Revocation of Driving Privileges

The following actions may result in immediate suspension or revocation of College driving privileges:

  • Allowing an unauthorized or unapproved individual to operate a College vehicle
  • Allowing unauthorized passengers, including spouses, children, friends, or acquaintances, to ride in a College vehicle
  • Operating a College vehicle for personal or unauthorized purposes
  • Driving to destinations not associated with approved College business
  • Unsafe, reckless, negligent, prohibited, or inappropriate use of a College vehicle
  • Failure to report an accident, damage, citation, or incident in a timely manner
  • Failure to file required accident reports with law enforcement agencies, when applicable
  • Driving with a suspended, revoked, expired, or otherwise invalid driver’s license
  • Misrepresentation or falsification of driving records, authorization documents, or vehicle use requests
  • Violations of federal, state, or local traffic laws while operating a College vehicle
  • Operating a College vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Transporting illegal drugs, alcohol, or prohibited materials in a College vehicle
  • Picking up or transporting hitchhikers
  • Any illegal activity involving the use of a College vehicle

Drivers who misuse College vehicles may be held personally liable for damages, injuries, losses, fines, and legal expenses resulting from actions outside the course and scope of authorized College business.

Citations, Arrests, and Reporting Requirements

All moving violations, traffic citations, arrests, or other driving-related incidents occurring while operating a College vehicle must be reported to the Facilities Office immediately upon return to campus or as soon as reasonably possible.

Reports should include, when applicable:

  • Date and location of the incident
  • Nature of the violation or citation
  • Law enforcement agency involved
  • Citation or case number
  • Description of the circumstances

Failure to report citations, violations, accidents, arrests, or changes in driving status may result in immediate suspension or revocation of College driving privileges and may lead to disciplinary action.

Drivers are personally responsible for all legal costs, fines, attorney fees, court costs, parking violations, penalties, or related expenses arising from citations, arrests, or unlawful conduct while operating a College vehicle.

College insurance does not cover personal legal expenses related to criminal or traffic violations.

Seat Belt Requirements

California law requires all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts while a vehicle is in operation.

Drivers of College vehicles are responsible for ensuring that all occupants properly wear seat belts at all times. A driver shall not operate a College vehicle if any passenger refuses to comply with seat belt requirements.

Any fines or penalties resulting from seat belt violations are the personal responsibility of the individual receiving the citation.

Reporting Changes in Driver Eligibility

Approved College drivers must immediately notify the Facilities Office of any change in driver’s license status, including but not limited to:

  • License suspension
  • License revocation
  • License expiration
  • Driving restrictions
  • Moving violations
  • DUI-related offenses
  • Accidents that may affect driving eligibility

All moving violations must be reported regardless of whether they occurred while operating a College vehicle or a personal vehicle.

The Facilities Department, in coordination with Risk Management, will review reported violations and DMV Employer Pull Notice (EPN) notifications to determine continued eligibility to operate College vehicles.

Departments, deans, and/or vice presidents may be notified if an employee or volunteer is determined to be ineligible to operate a College vehicle.

Reports of reckless driving, unsafe conduct, or near-miss incidents may also be reviewed and may result in corrective or disciplinary action.