Guidelines for Driver Selection

For many senior living centers, families entrust staff to transport their loved ones to and from appointments and activities. As such, it is imperative to recognize the importance of evaluating the driving history of each employee that represents your center while behind the wheel. One important aspect of a fleet safety program for your center is the establishment of internal guidelines that will help determine which employees are quality drivers and can be trusted operating company-owned vehicles or even their own personal vehicles while on the job. Part of this evaluation process should include the review of the MVR (Motor Vehicle Record) or driving history for each potential driver, as prior driving experience is typically reflective of current driving habits.
Below are some suggested guidelines to use when considering employees to drive for your center:

• Ensure there are no major moving violations (i.e. DUI, excessive speed, reckless operation) • Avoid approving drivers who have had a combination of moving violations and accidents or more than three minor moving violations (i.e. speeding, failure to yield, illegal turn) in the past three years
• Any person with a suspended license cannot legally drive a vehicle
• Consider restricting youthful drivers (under age 21) to drive for company business and only allowing more experienced drivers (over age 25) to transport residents of your centers

For centers whose employees will drive and transport residents, implementation of a thorough driver selection protocol is an appropriate place to start, however review of the employee’s driving history is just one element to consider. Driver training, safety training, physical exams, written tests and road tests are equally important items to consider including in a fleet safety program. Reach out to the senior living experts AssuredPartners for assistance developing a robust fleet safety program.