CHAPTER 6.  CERTIFICATION OF MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATORS

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1. To whom do these certification procedures apply?
2. What are the requirements for certification of motor vehicle operators?
3. What are the procedures to reserve a motor vehicle in Washington Headquarters?

1. To whom do these certification procedures apply?  These certification procedures apply to all FHWA employees and contract personnel who operate FHWA motor vehicles while on official business.  There are three classes of FHWA motor vehicle operators:
   1. Regular operator.  An FHWA employee whose principal job is that of a chauffeur, truck driver, bus driver, or similar function;
   2. Incidental operator.  An FHWA employee who is required to drive an FHWA motor vehicle incidental to the performance of other assigned duties; and
   3. Non-Federal Government operator.   An individual who is officially authorized to drive an FHWA motor vehicle but is not employed by the FHWA.

2. What are the requirements for certification of motor vehicle operators?
   1. All operators of FHWA motor vehicles are required to:
      1. have in their possession while operating the FHWA motor vehicle a valid State driver's license for the class of motor vehicle they are operating;
      2. have a valid Federal agency identification card at all times while operating the FHWA motor vehicle; and
      3. be physically qualified to operate the assigned motor vehicle.
   2. Incidental operators.  For incidental operators in both Washington Headquarters and field offices, the possession of a valid State driver's license may be used as sufficient evidence of physical qualification to drive a Federal Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle and should be shown at the time the vehicle's keys are picked up.  However, in the Washington Headquarters, if the supervisor of an FHWA employee is aware of any reason not to allow the employee to use a Federal Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle, the supervisor should notify HAIM-22.  For FHWA field offices, the supervisor should notify the Motor Vehicle Fleet Manager in his or her respective location.

3. What are the procedures to reserve a motor vehicle in Washington Headquarters?  All employees below the level of Office Directors are required to submit in writing to HAIM-22 a request to reserve a motor vehicle for official use indicating supervisory approval.  This written submission may be in the form of an email provided by the Program Coordinator or Administrative Officer.  The request to reserve a motor vehicle should include:
   1. name of the driver,
   2. office routing symbol and phone number of the driver,
   3. date and time the motor vehicle is required,
   4. purpose and location of the trip, and
   5. certification that stipulates the employee has supervisory approval.