The revised Policy for Drivers of University Vehicles was adopted in November 2025. As of September 1, 2026 it will be in effect for all faculty, staff, students, and registered volunteers.

Background

Drivers of university-owned, leased, or rented vehicles must meet certain criteria and agree to allow the University to monitor their motor vehicle record for these purposes during their employment at Lehigh University. Lehigh University reserves the right to deny or revoke the driving privilege of any driver if the driver does not meet the criteria outlined in this policy or fails to follow the requirements of this policy.

The updated policy establishes clear eligibility, authorization, and monitoring requirements. As part of the updated compliance process, Lehigh has contracted with the firm SafetyFirst to perform motor vehicle record monitoring on behalf of the university. 

Age, Position and Experience Requirements

  1. Age: All drivers must be at least 19 years of age.
  2. Position: Full time or part time employees (faculty, staff, or wage), currently enrolled Lehigh University full-time or part-time graduate or undergraduate students, registered volunteers
  3. Driving Experience: Must have a valid domestic driver's license and have at least two (2) years of driving experience in the United States or Canada.
     

Updated Authorization Process

  1. Submit the Driver Information Form

  2. Demonstrate Acceptable Driving Record: SafetyFirst will conduct an initial review to ensure the driver meets the acceptable driving standards outlined in the policy prior to driving a vehicle on behalf of the university. 
  3. Complete Driver Safety Training: Complete the Driver Safety Fundamentals and Defensive Driving Strategies: Get There Safely modules of online Driver Safety Training through CourseSite  - scoring at least 80% on the quiz.    
       

Additional Passenger Van Requirements
Due to the additional passengers involved, any person seeking to operate a rental vehicle designed to carry nine (9) or more passengers must also meet the following qualifications in addition to those listed above:

  1. Must be at least 25 years of age.
  2. Have a valid domestic driver's license and have at least five (5) years driving experience in the United States or Canada.
  3. Complete the additional Passenger Van Safety module in the online Driver Safety Training course - scoring at least 80% on the quiz.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

All individuals who drive university-owned, leased, or rented vehicles for university business — including faculty, staff, students, and registered volunteers.

  1. Complete and submit the Driver Information Form.

  2. Successfully complete the online Driver Safety Training (80%+ score required).

  3. Have a valid U.S. driver’s license and an acceptable driving record as determined by a motor vehicle background check conducted by SafetyFirst.

You will not be approved to drive any university-owned, leased or rented vehicles. If your job requires driving, your department may reassign duties or review your position eligibility.

Lehigh University uses a continuous MVR monitoring service (SafetyFirst) that automatically reports new violations, suspensions, or status changes.

Under the new policy, once you submit your license and are approved, you are enrolled in a continuous monitoring service. This service dynamically alerts Risk Management and Transportation Services if there are any real-time changes to your driving record (such as new violations or suspensions) throughout the year.

The policy has a three-year (36-month) look-back period for all violations and incidents.

Allow five business days after submitting all required documents and completing training.

Yes, however be advised: In Pennsylvania, as in other states, the automobile owner’s insurance follows the vehicle. Therefore, the University requires that faculty and staff who use their personal vehicle on University business carry their own personal auto insurance coverage on their vehicles. Mileage reimbursements are designed to include an incremental cost for insurance and deductibles. When faculty and staff drive their own vehicle on University business, their own insurance policy serves as a "primary" policy for third party liability and physical damage to their vehicle. This means that if a claim arising out of an accident exceeds their policy limits, then the University's policy will cover third party liability in excess of their policy.

If your vehicle is damaged as a result of an accident, whether it is your fault or not, your comprehensive/collision insurance coverage would respond. You are responsible for any deductible amounts under your policy. If you do not carry any collision insurance, then the entire amount of the damage is your responsibility. Neither the University nor the University’s insurance will pay for any physical damage to your vehicle or resulting bodily injury to others - you use it at your own risk. For further details on vehicle liability, please visit the following link: https://risk.lehigh.edu/content/automobile-liability

Yes. Even though "University Vehicles" are defined as those owned, leased, or rented by Lehigh University, this policy still governs personal vehicles whenever they are operated for university-related business.  

No. Only authorized Lehigh University employees, students, or registered volunteers who have cleared the background check and training are permitted to drive university vehicles. Allowing an unauthorized person to drive is a direct violation of this policy.

Yes. Every authorized driver must complete the online Driver Safety Training via CourseSite and score at least 80% on the quiz. The training takes about 60 minutes, can be paused and resumed, and ensures everyone is aligned on defensive driving strategies.

 Van drivers are required to complete a third specialized module through CourseSite called Passenger Van Safety in addition to the standard fundamentals and defensive driving courses.

The policy strictly prohibits the use of handheld cell phones or mobile devices while driving. While hands-free calls are legally permissible in some contexts, we strongly discourage distracted driving of any kind.

You do. The university is not responsible for traffic violations or parking fines incurred by drivers, nor will it cover the cost of legal representation to challenge a citation.

Transportation Services – intransp@lehigh.edu
Risk Management – kin217@lehigh.edu
Human Resources – inhro@lehigh.edu