Policies

Any questions concerning this authorized list may be addressed by contacting the Fleet Rental Office at 206-221-3594. Questions about insurance coverage and risk management should be directed to UW Risk Services at 206-543-3659.

UW-owned vehicles must only be used for official University business. All authorized renters and drivers must be eligible for and possess a valid UW NetID that allows access to online training. Allowing an unauthorized driver or passenger to operate and/or ride in a University of Washington vehicle; or use for other than official business may invalidate the University’s insurance coverage and may make the driver, renter and/or controlling department responsible for damages.

Authorized renters and drivers

• UW Faculty
• UW Staff
• Currently enrolled UW Student
• Official UW volunteers

Note: All drivers must be at least 18 years old, have a valid driver's license, and have two years driving experience.

Authorized passengers

• All authorized renters and drivers
• Research subjects unable to transport themselves
• Patients and patient's families requiring transport for patient care services
• Vendors and business partners in the course of University business
• Visiting dignitaries, speakers, scholars
• Prospective employees and students
• Participants in officially sanctioned UW programs

Not authorized as renters, drivers or passengers

• Minor children under age 18 may not drive UW-owned vehicles
• Members of student groups (registered or not), contractors, or temporary employees without explicit sponsorship from a UW department that vehicle use is for official UW business
• Conference attendees
• Family, spouses, children, friends, and acquaintances of faculty, staff, and students
• Those who are not covered by insurance policies carried or coordinated by UW Risk Services

Specified drivers are:

1. At-fault for 2 accidents in a UW-owned vehicle in a 24 month period
2. At-fault for at least 1 accident causing any injury in a 24 month period
3. Drive 1,000 miles or more per month for at least 6 months in a one year period

In accordance with Washington state's Enterprise-wide Transportation Policy Section 12.20.20, specified drivers who obtain this status from being involved in too many accidents shall have their ability to drive a UW-owned vehicle suspended until they can complete an appropriate driver skills instruction course. UW Departments needing assistance should contact Fleet Services at 206-221-3594.

The University of Washington’s drug and alcohol testing program complies with Federal laws that prohibit covered employees from being under the influence of intoxicants while working; and that require testing for those who hold and use a commercial driver’s license (CDL) as a matter of employment. This policy only applies to UW regular and temporary employees who are required to possess a CDL as a condition of employment; and who must drive a vehicle that requires a CDL for operation.

The majority of the language governing the UW CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing Program is contained in UW Administrative Policy Statement 13.8.

A complete description of the policy can be found on our CDL Drug and Alcohol Testing page.

Motor vehicle accidents remain a primary cause of death and injury for Americans between the age of 1 and 54, and a top killer of Americans of all ages. In many cases, death and injury are attributed to not using and improperly using seatbelts and other restraints.

Seatbelts and restraint systems save lives and reduce the severity of non-life threatening injuries. Time and again studies have shown that when all efforts to prevent a vehicle accidents fail, restraints are often the one measure that gives those in an accident their best chance at surviving - by as much as 70% over those who are not properly restrained.

Wearing a seatbelt or restraint does not make the occupant wearing it immune to injury. Safe, defensive driving should make the effectiveness of restraints unnecessary. As always, it is best to avoid getting into an accident in the first place.

It is illegal to operate a motor vehicle on public roads in Washington without every occupant in a vehicle being properly restrained by a seatbelt or age/weight-appropriate child restraint system.

UW policy, which complies with Washington RCW 46.61.688 requires our drivers to ensure that they, and all occupants have a restraint available, and that each occupant is properly restrained before the vehicle moves. The number of passengers cannot exceed the number of restraints in a vehicle. Basically, if you're driving or riding in a vehicle (including on campus streets and grounds) and it has seatbelts - you must use them.

Fleet Services provides self-serve car wash services for UW vehicles and vehicles owned by UW departments. The facility includes a drive-through car wash and a wash pad for oversize vehicles. Departments are responsible for vehicle cleanliness.

The car wash is open for use Tuesday - Friday, 7:15 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Use of the car wash on Monday is restricted to Fleet Services employees due to the high volume of rental vehicles returned over the weekend.

UCAR vehicles must be returned with no less a 1/2 tank of gas.

If you are within 5 miles of campus, refuel at Fleet Services (4659 25th Ave NE, next to University Village).

Every UCAR also comes with a WEX fuel card, for those times you’re further away. See below for details.

WEX Fuel Cards

WEX fuel cards may be used to purchase the following:

• Regular unleaded fuel
• Diesel fuel
• Oil
• Emergency service
• Necessary vehicle accessories such as windshield wiper blades

Misuse of a gas credit card includes, but is not limited to the purchase of:

• Food or drinks
• Transactions coded as miscellaneous
• Maps
• Full service
• Premium or Super unleaded fuel
• Fuel additives

Fleet Services will charge departments for misuse of credit cards. Drivers are responsible for repayment of these costs to the department.

WEX fuel cards are assigned to specific vehicles; do not use the card to fuel any other vehicles or to fill gas cans. All transaction receipts for WEX fuel cards including oil, repair and car wash should be forwarded to Fleet Services at fsrent@uw.edu.

If you are unable to use the WEX fuel card and must use personal means to pay for a fuel transaction, you may be reimbursed from Fleet Services. Save all receipts and bring them to the Fleet Services office.

How to use WEX Fuel Cards

1. Slide the WEX fuel card just as you would any other credit card.
2. Enter your six-digit Driver ID number. This is the first five digits of the vehicle license plate number plus “0”. For example, if your license plate is 12345E, your Driver ID number is 123450.
3. When prompted, enter the current vehicle mileage (not the trip meter reading).
4. Fuel the vehicle.

All fuel receipts for WEX fuel card purchases must be submitted to fsrent@uw.edu as soon as possible.

Problems with your card? Contact the WEX customer service center 24/7 at 1-800-492-0669.

Liability

The University of Washington maintains liability coverage for all University vehicles. This coverage protects authorized operators from claims of third parties for bodily injury or property damage, provided the vehicle was operated for and on behalf of the University, and was being operated within the scope of employees’ duties for official UW business.

Collision

Fleet Services vehicles are self- insured through the University of Washington for vehicle collisions. Property damage sustained from a vehicle accident or improper use may be charged back to the responsible department.

Operating fund payments for accident damage

The following defines the general circumstances in which the Fleet Services will pay to repair damage to Fleet-owned vehicles.

Covered

Motor vehicle accident damage not caused by UW drivers. Fleet-owned vehicles involved in incidents such as collisions and vehicles subjected to vandalism will typically be repaired using the operating fund.

Damages caused by vandalism, hit-and-run, and uninsured motorists to Fleet vehicles Damage such as graffiti, broken glass, and hit-and-run drivers will be repaired using the operating fund. In the event that damages are recovered, the amount recovered will go into the operating fund.

Acts of nature. Damage caused through no fault of the driver or assigned unit caused by acts of nature will be covered. Examples include flooding, hail damage, and animal strikes to vehicles.

Units assigned and renting vehicles will pay a small daily fee that covers the costs of the above listed sources of vehicle damage.

Excluded

Motor vehicle accident damage caused by UW drivers; or caused by clearly unauthorized, negligent, and/or improper use of a Fleet vehicle. Fleet-owned vehicles involved in incidents such as striking objects and other vehicles will not be repaired using the operating fund. Similarly, the operating fund will not be used to repair damage determined to be caused by using the vehicle for purposes other than official UW business and/or in a manner inconsistent with the vehicle’s capabilities. Examples include:

• Striking an object – including other vehicles
• Damaging tires by hitting curbs
• Striking the bottom of the vehicle on rough road terrain
• Damage resulting from improper off road operation of a vehicle
• From loading a vehicle incorrectly or beyond its listed capacity

Fault, negligence of the driver and other factors for purposes of coverage will be determined by examination of accident reports, police reports, and other data.

Damage to special equipment attached to vehicles (example: lift gates). Special equipment damaged or made unusable for any reason will be the responsibility of the unit needing the equipment to repair and will be charged to the payment worktag used to rent the vehicle that the equipment is assigned.

Damage caused by clearly unauthorized, negligent and/or improper use of a Fleet vehicle. The operating fund will not be used to repair damage determined to be caused by using the vehicle for purposes other than official UW business and/or in a manner inconsistent with the vehicle’s capabilities. For example, damage resulting from improper off road operation of a vehicle; from loading a vehicle beyond its listed capacity; or striking a clearly marked overhead object would be excluded.

Damage caused to UW-owned vehicles caused by the use of other equipment (examples: tractors and forklifts). Damage caused by operating a Fleet-owned vehicle in conjunction with equipment such as tractors, trailers, forklifts and other machinery is excluded from operating fund payments. Damage caused to the vehicle by a unit other than the assigned unit shall be repaired at the expense of the unit controlling/operating the other piece of equipment.

Damage, loss or theft of personal property. Damage or loss of the personal property of employees, students and volunteers is generally excluded from University insurance coverage. Common examples of generally excluded property events are: theft of Employee personal property while traveling on University business and property damaged while on University property due to no fault of the University.

Review process

Determinations regarding causes and remedies to damage of Fleet-owned vehicles that are not clearly delineated by this policy will be made within one week of reporting the incident by the Fleet Services Manager.

Personal injury

University employees, student employees, and authorized volunteers traveling on official University business are insured for any injuries under the Worker’s Compensation Program. Students and passengers who are not University employees are not insured by the Worker’s Compensation Program and are responsible for providing their own medical insurance. 

Personal, UW, grant-owned or on-loan property

Fleet Services does not provide insurance coverage for personal, UW-owned, grant-owned, or on-loan property. If your department wishes to insure equipment, coverage may be obtained through the Equipment Insurance Program administered by the Office of Risk Services. This includes tools, computers, and other items stolen from inside a Fleet-owned vehicle, or damaged in the case of an incident.

Outside rental agency coverage

Refer to the UW Travel Office for information about insurance coverage for outside agencies and UW Travel Card rentals.

Parking Fleet Services and UCAR vehicles

UW Fleet Services vehicles may be parked in designated parking areas on campus without purchasing a UW parking permit. There are areas on campus where University vehicles are not authorized to park. Parking in these areas may result in a parking citation. These areas include:

• Areas with official signs prohibiting parking
• Within 15 feet of a fire hydrant
• In fire lanes
• Wheelchair and disability stalls and lots
• Lots and stalls specifically designated for other departments (e.g." University Police Vehicles Only”)
• "Restricted" stalls
• "Service Vehicle Only" stalls
• Load zones (over the posted time period)
• In front of any gate, ramp, or other area where parking would block access (In these situations, the vehicle may be towed.)
• Areas not designated for parking

If you are unsure where to park a University vehicle, contact Transportation Services at 206-221-3701.

Off campus

When parking a vehicle off campus, the department is responsible for all parking fees. University vehicles are not exempt from parking fees at parking lots. Operators are personally responsible for parking violations and towing and/or storage resulting from parking violations.

Parking personal vehicles

UCAR reservations: The UCAR confirmation email includes a University of Washington parking permit to park a personal vehicle in a UCAR stall for the duration of the UCAR rental. The permit is located in the lower portion of the confirmation email usually on the second page. The permit can only be used in the parking lot which the UCAR is from and in a stall marked specifically for UCAR vehicles. If a personal vehicle with a UCAR permit is parked in a UCAR stall after the reservation time has ended the personal vehicle may be ticketed or towed.

Unattended motor vehicle - RCW 46.61.600

No vehicle operator in charge of a motor vehicle shall permit it to stand unattended without first stopping the engine, locking the ignition, removing the key and effectively setting the brake, and, when standing upon any perceptible grade, turning the front wheels to the curb or side of the roadway.

Emissions reduction

In order to prevent excessive emissions and unnecessary human exposure to vehicle exhaust the following additional policy is adapted for UW-owned vehicles: No vehicle should be left unattended or idling at a loading dock, delivery stop, or at other locations where exhaust emissions may enter an occupied building such as near building air intakes, entrances, or open windows, etc. Engines should be left running only as long as it takes to unload or load passengers, otherwise vehicle engines should be shut off. Exceptions include allowing the idling of hybrid and fully electrically driven vehicles.

Operators of vehicles are required to obtain oil, fuel, and all repair and maintenance services from the Fleet Services Maintenance Shop. It is also the responsibility of drivers to maintain a clean appearance of a Fleet Services Vehicles. During the operating hours referenced below, the facility is open for the following services:

• Fuel, oil, and car wash services (car wash is closed on Mondays)
• Repair and general maintenance
• Emergencies

Operators will be notified via email or campus mail when a vehicle is due for service. Contact the Fleet Services shop to schedule an appointment for routine maintenance as soon as possible.

• Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Phone: 206-685-1564
• Fax: 206-543-3823
• Email: fsshop@uw.edu

If you have an emergency or need roadside assistance call the Fleet Services Shop at 206-685-1564 or view our roadside assistance information for what to do after hours.