TRANSPORTATION OF STUDENTS IN PRIVATELY OWNED VEHICLES
On occasion, students in our schools will participate in activities or situations where they must be transported by private vehicle. If you can assist us by using your automobile, please read the following conditions that will need attention for arrangements of this nature.
A. In the interest of providing for a safe transport of students in privately owned vehicles while they are traveling as part of a district-sponsored event, or on District business, Administrative Regulation 3541.1 requires that an owner carry certain minimum limits of liability insurance coverage for bodily injury, property damage, and medical payments.
B. **This requirement recognizes that under current legal practice, the owner of a vehicle is expected to answer and cover any claim for injury or damage caused by his/her car, and, accordingly, needs the backing of sufficient insurance to properly handle this responsibility.
C. This requirement, in addition to other provisions of Regulation 3541.1 that govern the transportation of students in privately owned vehicles, read as follows.
- The trip must be approved by the principal, who is responsible for compliance with this regulation.
- Each passenger must be properly seated to prevent overcrowding, and all passengers must wear seat belts in accord with current California laws. No more than eight (8) people properly seated are permitted in a vehicle other than a certified school bus. Students under the age of 12 are not to sit in the front seat of any vehicle equipped with a passenger-side airbag.
- Each vehicle owner must furnish evidence in writing of the following insurance coverage: $500,000 Bodily Injury, $100,000 Property Damage, or $500,000 Combined Single Limit of Liability, Uninsured Motorists coverage, and Medical Payment coverage of not less than $10,000.
- All drivers must have a current California Drivers License and be 21 years of age or over. The driver must affirm that they have not been convicted of reckless driving or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol within the past five years.
- Groups of cars traveling in caravans are not permitted.
- All adults who volunteer to transport athletes or other students must agree that there will be no smoking allowed in the vehicles at any time during the field tip.
- Vehicle shall comply with all current applicable provisions of the California Vehicle code.
- The following items must be checked prior to the field trip:
- Minimum tread on tires
- Working seat belts for driver and all passengers
- Working lights, turn signals, mirrors
- Appropriate spare tire, highway flares
- Normally operating engine
- Normal mechanical systems, steering, brakes, etc.
**Please note: In the event of an accident, the insurance policy of the private vehicle in which students are being transported will be responsible.