Driving Policy
Driving Policy
In order to increase employee and client safety, and eliminate unnecessary risks behind the wheel, North Coast Ministries dba Agape Home Care has enacted this Driving Policy. We have created the following rules, which apply to any employee operating a company or personal vehicle for work purposes.
Work purposes include:
•driving during a shift already clocked in,
•driving after clocking out from one client and driving directly to the next client with no stops in between,
•driving on behalf of clients during a shift (errands, shopping, doing laundry), which requires pre-approval for each individual client
•transporting clients to appointments, bank, stores, etc., which requires pre-approval for each individual client
Employer Responsibilities: North Coast Ministries dba Agape Home Care reimburses pre-approved driving trips based on the current Federal mileage rate.
Employee Requirements to Drive While Working
Exclusions: The following will exclude and prevent an employee from using company and / or personal vehicles for work purposes:
1. The driver is less than 18 or has less than two years driving experience.
2. The driver is less than 21 and has more than 1 incident*.
3. The driver is over 21 and has more than 2 incidents*.
*Note: an incident is an accident or a moving violation other than a major violation. An accident and violation occurring at the same time will be considered one incident.
4. Any driver with a major violation* A major violation would include:
a) DUI;
b) Reckless Driving, Racing, Speeding over 20 mph over posted limit;
c) Homicide or assault;
d) Driving with a suspended license;
e) Failure to stop or report; and
f) Any driver with a license that is suspended or expired.
*Once approved to drive, it is the employee’s responsibility to stop driving for work purposes and advise Management immediately if any of these situations occur.
Approval / Disapproval Process: Employees must first be approved by NCM/Agape Management before driving a company vehicle and / or using their personal vehicle for work purposes. The following is required to be submitted by the employee:
1. Copy of the employee’s current California driver’s license,
2. Copy of current vehicle registration,
3. Copy of the declarations page of the current auto insurance liability policy with CA liability limit of at least $100,000, and sign a statement that employee notified their insurance company that the vehicle will be used for work
4. A DMV “Driver’s Report”
Once approved, Management will sign in the appropriate section(s) at the bottom of this policy indicating approval limitations.
It is the employee’s responsibility to provide Management with renewal documents annually, periodically, or as requested, showing proof of current license status, current active registration and current liability insurance declarations ensuring they remain active and not expired, suspended, or revoked. If these documents are not provided at renewal or upon request, and/or any of the exclusions above occur, Management will withdraw and prohibit the employee from driving for work purposes. This will be indicated by Management’s signature on the appropriate line at the bottom of this policy and providing the employee with a copy of the signed policy disapproval. Employee Driving Safety Protocols: While driving company or personal vehicles for work purposes, employees must comply with all traffic laws, be conscious of road safety, and demonstrate safe driving and other good road safety habits. The following actions when driving vehicles for work purposes will be viewed as serious breaches of conduct and dismissal may be a consequence:
Drinking or being under the influence of drugs while driving (including prescription medication that may cause drowsiness and / or effect driving ability)
Driving while suspended and/or not advising Management immediately of a newly suspended/revoked license or occurrence of a new “incident” or “major violation”
Reckless or dangerous driving, causing death or injury
Failing to stop after a collision
Any actions that warrant the suspension of a license
•Employees must never transport a client in a vehicle without prior consent from AHC Management, which would be indicated by Management’s signature at the bottom of this policy stating client transport is approved. Even with the approval, it is the employee’s responsibility to gain approval for each client’s individual situation, which may require ongoing approval from management for employee to drive various clients in each various situation.
•Employees must use seat belts and may not use a hand-held cell phone while operating a vehicle, whether the vehicle is in motion or stopped at a traffic light. This includes, but is not limited to: answering, or making phone calls, engaging in phone conversations, and reading or responding to emails, instant messages, and text messages. If company employees need to use their phones, they must pull over safely to the side of the road or another safe location.
•In the event of an accident, the employee should follow the protocol below and report the incident to Management at (707) 498-2000 as soon as it is safe to do so.
What to do after an automobile accident:
1.Move your vehicle off the street or highway if no one is injured or killed.
2.Pull over to the side of the road and stop if you kill or injure an animal. Try to find the owner. If you can’t find the owner, immediately call 911.
3.Try to find the owner if you hit a parked vehicle or other property. Identify yourself before you leave. If you can’t find the owner, leave a note with your name and address (and name and address of the owner of the vehicle you are driving) in the vehicle or securely attached to it. Immediately report the collision to the police or, in unincorporated areas, to CHP.
4.Report the collision in writing to the police or CHP immediately if anyone is killed or injured and law enforcement was not present at the scene. When the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision is physically unable to report a collision to the police or CHP, any occupant who was in the vehicle at the time of the collision shall make the report on behalf of the driver.
You or your insurance agent, broker, or legal representative must do the following:
•Report the collision by completing a Report of Traffic Accident Occurring in California (SR-1) to DMV within 10 days if there is more than $1000 in damage to the property of any person, or anyone is injured (no matter how slightly) or killed.
This policy is to be followed at all times while driving for work purposes. Failure to adhere to the policy will result in disciplinary action set forth by this policy by the following criteria:
1. The first violation will result in a verbal warning and a meeting with the Director.
2. A second violation will result in employee suspension and a three (3) month probation. Upon completion of the suspension, the employee will meet with the Director to discuss possible termination if a third violation occurs.
3. A third violation will result in termination.
Submitting Miles/Trip Information: Employees should enter miles and location when they submit their time for the appropriate shift on the Wellsky App.
Driving After Revoked/Prohibited Determination: Employees who drive during their shifts, having been determined revoked or prohibited from driving, will be subject to disciplinary action.
Acknowledgement: I acknowledge that I have received a written copy of this Driving Policy, that I fully understand the terms of this policy, that I agree to abide by these terms, and that I am willing to accept the consequences of failing to follow this policy. I will not drive for work purposes until a determination has been made, as indicated on the Driving Policy Determination form.
Indemnification: I agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless North Coast Ministries, it’s agents, officers, and employees, against any and all losses, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney’s fees) and liabilities incurred by me in connection with or arising in any manner from my negligence and /or willful misconduct by me with regard to the terms of this policy.