Fleet Safety
Before driving a U of A fleet vehicle, drivers must first be authorized and understand the policies for ensuring the safety of the driver, passengers and others sharing the road.
On this page: Driver Authorization | Rental Policies + Driver Regulations | Related Information
DRIVER AUTHORIZATION
Driver authorization is required for anyone who’s role requires them to drive a university-owned vehicle or rented or leased vehicle.
Requirements
To rent a university vehicle, the driver must:
- submit a request for driving privilege form
- be at least 19 years old
- have a valid, non-graduated Class 5 licence (or higher) issued in Canada or the United States; holders of an out-of-province licence must submit a three-year driver abstract with their rental application
- not have exceed violation and demerit limitations
- complete any required courses/orientations below
- additional requirements for operators of 12- or 15-passenger vans, 24-passenger buses and ATVs
Defensive driving course
Required by drivers of any university vehicles.
You must have completed a defensive driving course within the last two years (and provide your certificate) to drive a university vehicle. The university will accept driving course certificates issued by the U of A, Canada Safety Council, Alberta Motor Association or Alberta Transportation.
U of A defensive driving course
Take U of A’s online defensive driving course, which covers traffic law, vehicle dynamics and U of A’s driving policies and procedures. Most participants complete the course in 60–90 minutes.
The course is free but you must log in with your CCID to save your results. If you log in without your CCID, there will be no record that you completed the course.
Defensive driving evaluation
Required by drivers of any university vehicles.
In this one-hour driver evaluation, you will drive a university vehicle with an instructor who will assess your driving skills and work with you to correct deficiencies.
If you are unable to correct unsafe driving habits during your evaluation, you will need to complete additional training before we can authorize you to drive a university vehicle.
Book a free evaluation. Email fleet.safety@ualberta.ca or call 780-492-1233
Bus and passenger van orientation
Required by drivers of buses or passenger vans.
This orientation covers federal legislation on driver’s hours and service regulations. Drivers practice operating the vehicle (including a backing component).
You must be at least 21 years old and have a valid Class 4, Class 2 or Class 1 licence to take this orientation. Course times depend on available test vehicles and road conditions.
Once completed, the driver is authorized for 24- to 37-passenger buses and 12- to 15-passenger vans.
Book a free evaluation. Email fleet.safety@ualberta.ca or call 780-492-1233
RENTAL POLICIES + DRIVER REGULATIONS
When driving a U of A vehicle, you represent the university. It is your responsibility to demonstrate professionalism when operating the vehicle and to obey all traffic laws.
Passengers
Vehicles rented through U of A for university business must only be used for this purpose. Passengers working on other business are not permitted to ride in the vehicle.
Driver’s hours of service regulation and log books
It is required that drivers complete a daily log book, as per the provincial driver’s hours of service regulations, for the following vehicles:
- Vehicles that weigh more than 11,794 kg
- Vans and buses designed to carry ten or more people (including the driver)
To qualify for an exemption from completing a driver log when operating a U of A vehicle, all of the following conditions must be met:
- Round trip mileage is less than 160 km
- The driver returns to the departure location within 13 hours
- The driver records start of work and end of work
- The driver is not under a permit or other restriction from Transport Canada (or anothercommercial vehicle regulation)
Daily driver inspections
According to Alberta commercial vehicle regulations, daily driver inspections are required for vehicles that weigh more than 4.500 kg (such as 3/4-ton pick-up trucks with heavy cargo, most one-ton trucks and trucks rated three-ton or more).
Crossing the border
Crossing the Alberta border
The University of Alberta has a provincial carrier status, which means no vehicles or vehicle combinations (e.g. truck and trailer combinations) with a combined registered weight over 4,500 kg can operate outside of the province. There is an exception for vehicles rented from an outside vehicle rental company for 30 days or less.
For more information contact Transportation Services at vehinfo@ualberta.ca.
Crossing the Canada/US border
If drivers will be crossing the Canada/US border with a university vehicle, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) might ask for documentation that the driver of a vehicle is either the lawful owner or authorized driver of that vehicle. CBP can turn the driver back if they fail to provide such documentation.
Please complete the form to obtain the Vehicle Border Crossing Authority Letter ($25 fee)