UT System Policy UTS157

Automobile Insurance Coverage for Officers and Employees and General Requirements for the Use of Vehicles

The following is a summary of the entire policy from UT System.

Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) Checks

Before employing a person as an authorized driver of a University-owned vehicle for official University business, each institution shall request from the Texas Department of Public Safety a list of convictions for traffic violations contained in the department records on the potential employee and a verification that the person has a valid driver”s license issued by the State in which the person permanently resides. Incumbent authorized drivers will have their MVR checked by their respective institution:

  • At least every twelve months after initially authorized;
  • Promptly after the employee has been involved in an automobile accident while driving on official University business; and
  • Promptly after the employee receives a moving traffic citation while on official University business.

Authorized drivers and persons seeking a position that requires authorization to operate a University-owned vehicle for official University business will be evaluated on the most recent three-year history reflected on their MVR and points will be assigned by the institution according Appendix B. If the total points equal four or more for the immediately preceding 36 months, the person shall not be authorized to operate a University-owned vehicle for official University business. As noted above, if an institution is unable to obtain a three-year driving record history, the institution”s CBO may use his/her discretion to authorize the employee to operate a University-owned vehicle for official University business.

See Appendix B, MVR Points Schedule

Reporting Responsibilities

An authorized driver of a University-owned vehicle shall immediately report to his or her supervisor a suspension or revocation of the driver”s license or any Type A violation as defined in this policy including the nature of the charge, the pleas entered by the driver, the scheduled court date, and the findings of the court. An employee who fails to provide required notice shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal. Additionally, an authorized driver shall promptly report to his or her supervisor if the driver has been involved in a Type B violation as defined by this policy or an at-fault automobile accident while operating a University-owned vehicle for official University business.

An employee who operates a University-owned, rented, leased, or personal vehicle for official University business at a time when his or her license was suspended or revoked, shall be subject to disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.

Appendix B: MVR Points Schedule

Type A Violations

Convictions for Type A violations count as four (4) points against an authorized driver”s or applicant”s record. Type A violations include:

  • Criminal negligent homicide — 1st or 2nd degree
  • Murder with motor vehicle
  • Driving while intoxicated
  • Reckless driving
  • Driving while under the influence of drugs
  • Fleeing from police officer
  • Drag racing / speeding contest
  • Felony use of Commercial Motor Vehicle (CMV)
  • Felony use of CMV — controlled substance
  • Aggravated Assault with motor vehicle
  • Driving while license suspended
  • Driving while license disqualified — CMV

For the purposes of this policy, the definition of a DUI/DWI conviction means: being convicted, receiving a probated sentence, or pleading no contest for driving a commercial or non-commercial vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or while intoxicated.

Type B Violations

Convictions for Type B violations count as one (1) point against an authorized driver”s or applicant”s record. Type B violations are all moving traffic violations not listed above as a Type A violation. Type B violations do not include non-moving administrative offenses (examples: out-dated inspection stickers, no proof of insurance, license plate missing).

At-Fault Accidents

Each at-fault accident counts as two (2) points. If a moving traffic violation conviction appears on a driving record along with an accident on the same date, this usually means that person was at-fault in the accident. Accidents shall be reviewed and the insurance company and each institution”s business office, or other office designated by the CBO, shall make a determination if there is an at-fault question. Accident reports may be obtained from the Texas Department of Public Safety