GUIDELINES
Grasslands School Division promotes the use of school buses whenever possible but permits the use of private vehicles for student transportation when other means are not available, or it is deemed to be in the best interest of the students and supervisory personnel.
PROCEDURES
Where the use of a school bus is not feasible, application to use private vehicles for transportation must be made to the principal.
The principal is authorized to approve the use of vehicles other than Grasslands buses for the transportation of students to participate in Board approved activities.
The principal shall ensure that the volunteer automobile driver authorization form has been obtained and signed by the driver, stating that the driver has an unrestricted driver's licence and is authorized to drive in Alberta. The owner of the vehicle must declare that the vehicle is insured by a valid automobile insurance policy, as required by Alberta law, with a minimum limit of $2 million liability.
The principal shall ensure that an acceptable driver's abstract, dated within the last year, and a copy of the driver's licence are on file at the school.
The principal must inform parents and students of their responsibilities in the matter of liability insurance, if parents and students decide to use unauthorized transportation to school activities. A student must have written permission from a parent in order to drive himself/herself to or from a school event. Under no circumstances is it permitted for a student to transport other students to or from a school event.
Grasslands School Division authorizes the use of the bus driver's private vehicle and any other necessary volunteer vehicles needed due to emergency situations such as breakdown or weather conditions.
Appendix A — Volunteer Automobile Driver Requirements Checklist
PLEASE ENSURE REQUIRED ITEMS ARE SIGNED AND ON FILE AT THE SCHOOL
☐ PART A – VOLUNTEER AUTOMOBILE DRIVER AUTHORIZATION FORM
☐ PART B – VEHICLE PROCEDURES
☐ COPY OF DRIVERS LICENSE IS ON FILE
☐ A CURRENT DRIVERS ABSTRACT HAS BEEN OBTAINED, REVIEWED AND IS ON FILE (Volunteer drivers who have 7 or more demerits, reckless driving, impaired driving, distracted driving or similar offenses listed on their drivers' abstracts will not be allowed to drive students) – DRIVERS ABSTRACT'S SHOULD BE OBTAINED ANNUALLY AS PER OUR INSURANCE AGENT
Appendix B — PART A: Volunteer Automobile Driver Authorization Form
This will authorize ________________________________________ (Name of "trip driver")
To transport students participating in the events listed on the attached school schedule,
OR
To transport students participating in the school activity:
- Vehicle Information: MAKE: __________________ YEAR: ________ LICENCE #: __________
Date School Name Principal's Signature
A "trip driver" is defined as any person authorized by the Board who has agreed to be a driver for a certain trip while they are driving their own or another licensed automobile. This includes, but is not limited to: Trustees, employees, teachers, parents, volunteers, officials of the School Board.
Provincial legislation makes automobile insurance compulsory in Canada. The same legislation makes the owner's insurance primary coverage in the event of an accident – in other words, the insurance carried on the vehicle responds first. The "trip driver" acknowledges the automobile insurance is the primary insurance in the event of an accident.
Trip Drivers must use a licensed automobile which carries valid automobile Third Party Liability insurance as required under provincial legislation with a minimum limit of $2M.
According to Provincial legislation, passengers who are injured would recover Accident Benefits coverage from their own accident policies first as the Accident Benefits coverage under the Automobile Policy (SPF #1) is secondary coverage to all other accident policies. If there is not a primary accident policy in place the passenger would then be eligible to recover benefits from the insurance policy covering the vehicle in which they are riding.
DECLARATION TO BE SIGNED BY TRIP DRIVER
- I declare that I hold an unrestricted driver's license and that I am authorized to drive in Alberta, and that my vehicle is insured by a valid automobile liability insurance policy as required by Alberta law with a minimum limit of $2M.
- I declare that the vehicle described above is mechanically fit and that there are seat belts in working condition for all passengers.
Name of Driver Signature Date
DECLARATION TO BE SIGNED BY OWNER (IF TRIP DRIVER DOES NOT OWN THE VEHICLE)
- I declare that I have authorized ________________________________ to drive my vehicle to transport students participating in the school event(s) listed on or attached to this form.
- I declare that he/she holds an unrestricted driver's license, is authorized to drive and is insured as an operator under the vehicle's liability insurance as required by Alberta law with a minimum limit of $2M.
- I declare that the vehicle described above is mechanically fit and that there are seat belts in working condition for all passengers.
Name of Owner Signature Date
PART B — Vehicle Procedures
Pre-trip inspections
Trip drivers are responsible for completing a complete pre-trip inspection each day they drive. Any deficiencies must be reported. Any deficiencies must be remedied before carrying students.
Loading Passengers
No vehicle shall be loaded beyond its legal capacity.
Seat Belts
All occupants of the vehicle MUST wear seat belts in any vehicle equipped with such equipment.
Luggage in Vehicles
Only small luggage may be carried inside a vehicle. All large luggage must be placed in the trunk, roof rack, trailer or accompanying vehicle.
Hours of Driving
Trip drivers must operate within the guidelines of the National Safety Code. The following are a few key points:
- Trip drivers may not exceed 13 hours of driving or 14 hours on-duty time (this includes being a passenger in a vehicle)
- Trip drivers may not drive more than 60 hours in seven days
Alcohol & Cannabis Consumption
Trip drivers may not operate vehicles if they have consumed any quantity of alcohol and/or cannabis within the previous 8 hours. Trip drivers must refrain from consuming excessive quantities of alcohol and/or cannabis within 24 hours of driving.
Prescription and over-the-counter Medications
Trip drivers need to be aware of possible adverse reactions from taking both prescription and over-the-counter medications (e.g. Antihistamines). Trip drivers must not operate vehicles when taking medications that may cause drowsiness or any other safety related restrictions.
Vehicle Fueling
Further to the Motor Vehicle Act all students must disembark from the vehicle before any fueling may take place.
Cellular Phones and other Mobile Devices
Trip drivers are expected to abide by the distracted driving legislation as indicated in Alberta's Traffic Safety Act. This legislation restricts drivers from:
- Using hand-held cell phones
- Texting or e-mailing
- Using electronic devices like laptop computers, video games, cameras, video entertainment displays and programming portable audio players
- Entering information on GPS units
- Reading printed materials in the vehicle
- Writing, printing or sketching, and
- Personal grooming
Drivers' Licenses
Every trip driver who carries students must possess a valid Provincial Drivers' License. A copy of this license must be on file with the school administration.
Drivers' Abstracts
The school administration will annually request driving abstracts for all individuals who drive students. Individuals whose records indicate that they are potentially un-safe drivers will not be permitted to drive students (e.g. multiple speeding tickets, reckless driving, impaired driving, etc.)
Obeying of Laws
Trip drivers must respect all Motor Vehicle Act regulations and obey posted road signs. Trip drivers are responsible to pay all fines incurred.
Night Driving
Efforts should be made to plan trips to avoid the increased risk associated with night driving.
Vehicle Payloads
The listed GVW for the vehicle must not be exceeded. This can be an issue for vehicles carrying students, gear and trailers.
Winter Driving Conditions
Only vehicles with suitable all season or winter tires shall drive in winter conditions. Windows and lights must be kept completely clear of snow, ice and mist. Vehicles must be operated at slower speeds subject to road conditions.
Vehicle Inspections
Trip drivers using their own vehicles will ensure their vehicles are properly maintained and inspected.
Motor Vehicle Accidents
If an accident occurs trip drivers must stay at the scene of the accident and collect insurance, driver's license and telephone information from other parties. Trip drivers must notify police and make a report if appropriate to do so. All accidents must be reported to the school administration immediately.
Be aware that any damage to the trip driver's vehicle, the cost of any insurance deductible or premium adjustment as the result of an accident while the vehicle is being used to transport students on school related business will NOT be covered by the school board or its insurers.
DECLARATION TO BE SIGNED BY TRIP DRIVER
I declare that I have read and understand the above noted "vehicle procedures" and will comply with all school requirements.
Name of Driver Signature Date