BBE Vehicle Training

So You Want to Drive a BBE Vehicle?

driver training.jpg Our department is special in many ways. One of those ways is that we own vehicles you can use if you are part of our department. But, there are a few things you need to know before you can drive. All of these 'things' you need to know are included in this training module. Yes, even faculty members must do this training! 

In addition to the training module, you must provide your driver's license number to the current vehicle manager (David Schmidt). This has to be completed before you can drive.

Make sure you take the quiz that follows this text. IMPORTANT: If you don't see the quiz it means you have not joined the course. Go back to the home page and click the link in the upper right corner.

Do NOT Drive a vehicle until you completed this training and have confirmed your driving status with the Vehicle Manager!!

VEHICLE USE TRAINING

Who Can Drive?

  • BBE department employees and students if they are over 18 and have a valid US license.
  • Undergraduate students must also have authorization from a BBE supervisor
  • Other UMN Employees must be granted permission by the department head before using a vehicle.

If you meet the criteria above then you also need to:

  • Complete this online training module
  • Provide a valid driver's license to the vehicle manager. License numbers are entered into the UMN Fleet Services database. Important: If your driver's license expires you must resubmit your new information to the Vehicle Manager!
  • Vehicles can only be used for University business purposes and trips must be allowed by the funding agency.

personal responsibilityPersonal Responsibility Regarding Vehicles

  • We own four vehicles. A blue 4x4 heavy duty 250 ford truck, a red 4x4 Chevy 1500 truck, a red Dodge minivan, and a grey Dodge Grand Caravan. If you are hauling people, stick with the vans. Don't use the blue 250 truck unless you have no other options.
  • Sign out vehicles on the Google calendar. To reserve a vehicle set up a ‘meeting” on Google Calendar. Use the 'Invite a Room' feature to sign out the vehicles. Search for the vehicles under "Invite a Room" using keywords “1500 Truck”, “250 Truck,” “Red Dodge,” or "Grey Van".  Please list your name in the title of the trip. e.g. "Lila to Pipestone" rather than just "Pipestone". That way we know who signed out the vehicle if we need to contact them.
  • If you cancel a trip, please remember to cancel your vehicle reservation.
  • Vehicles are parked out behind the shop.
  • Vehicle keys are locked in a secret cabinet in room 37 by the garage door. Faculty and staff have access to the keys, but students do not. Return the keys to the cabinet after use!!  If you are a student driver and don't have the key to the lockbox, place the keys on top of the key box and notify the vehicle manager.
  • Gas should be purchased if at all possible, from the Fleet Services Building 901 - 29th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414, or on the St. Paul campus (1866 Dudley Ave). The gas is cheaper at these locations. Use the key fob to start the pumps.
  • The Red Truck, Red Van, and Grey Van are Flexfuel vehicles. This means you should be using E85 during the summer months (do your part for climate change). In the winter use regular gas (E10 or E15) in these vehicles.
  • Be kind to the next person. Don't return your vehicle with less than at least 1/2 tank.
  • Fill out log sheets properly (see below) with complete account strings and justification. Accountants (or the Vehicle Manager) should not have to track you down for this information.
  • Your job is not done until the car is cleaned. The goal should be to return it cleaner than you left it. “Not enough time” is not an excuse. We are ALL busy. The carwash is free as is the vacuum.  Both are located at Fleet Services Building 901 - 29th Avenue SE, Minneapolis, MN 55414. You need the vehicle key fob to access the carwash. When accessing the car wash the magic number is “Pump 5”. Please wait till the person ahead of you has moved out of the building before entering.
  • Drivers are responsible for all traffic violations. Report your tickets to the Vehicle Manager. Pay your tickets!

insurance cardVehicle Troubles or Accidents?

  • Notify the Vehicle Manager of any accidents involving department vehicles, even the little ones (e.g. backing into a post and breaking the tail light).
  • Broken Down In Town? UMN Fleet Services has a towing and repair service for all UMN vehicles.  Call 612-625-3033 and tell them your story and get their advice.
  • Broken Down out of Town? The Voyager Gas Card has 24-hour roadside assistance. That number is on the back of the gas card. XXX-xxx-xxxx
  • Stop the Bleeding.  If you are in an accident, make sure everyone is OK, then follow the instructions on the card in the glove box. It looks like the figure below. There is also a first aid kit in the vehicles with bandages, antiseptic wash, tweezers, and a few other things.

 

 

 

Log your Trip!!

The following information is needed to log your trip. There is a logbook in the vehicle. You must fill it out when you are done with the trip - not at some later date.

log form

Input Descriptions:

  • Date: Yes, the date you are using the vehicle
  • Mileage: Mileage when you take the vehicle OUT and mileage when you bring the vehicle IN.
  • Driver Name: Yes, the person driving the vehicle.
  • PI Name: This is the Principle Investigator on the project. Typically, a faculty member.
  • Project Name: This is required and must be specific . . . we have 10 “LCMR projects”! Project names must match account numbers. Account team holds the PI responsible for their team members completing this information properly.
  • Account String: You will need the full account string and the zeros are important! Note that not all account strings use all of the boxes. Note also that numbers in parentheses after the account identifiers indicate how many digits in the number. For instance, a Program has 5 digits (letters or numbers or combination), and a project has 8 digits – including zeros.
  • Justification:
    • Where did you go? You need to include the location. “Jacob’s farm” is NOT OK. “Jacob’s farm near Milan MN” is OK.
    • What did you do? We provided some easy circle choices that are most common. If not one of these, use “other” and explain what you did on your trip. Make sure that the activity is allowed by your project. Your PI should know this

 

 

Now on to the QUIZ!! Yes, you have to take the quiz. If you don't see the quiz you must "join" the course (link in upper right corner).

 

Do NOT Drive a vehicle until you completed the quiz and confirmed your driving status with the Vehicle Manager!!

 

If you need help with the training or have questions about vehicles contact the BBE Vehicle Manager, currently David Schmidt schmi071@umn.edu