Overall

FAQ #24          Transportation to and from 4-H program or events is the responsibility of the youth participant, parent/guardian or volunteer.  Drivers transporting youth must be at least 18 years of age with at least 2 years of successful driving experience, a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance.

 

When 4-H Youth Development staff are arranging for youth transportation, drivers must be at least 21 years of age with two years of successful driving experience, a valid driver’s license, and automobile insurance.  Driving personal vehicles for 4-H events is the least recommended transportation option for 4-H Youth Development staff and volunteers as personal insurance is primary.  The state and/or county will be excess coverage depending on the situation.

 

When renting vehicles or chartering busses for transporting participants, it is recommended to purchase insurance from the business.  Rental should be in the name of the 4-H Club/Group.  Insurance offered by the rental dealer may be secondary coverage.  Additional coverage may have to be purchased.  For assistance on rental of vehicles, please see: http://www.uwsa.edu/fadmin/fppp/fppp36c.htm

 

Volunteers

Use of 12/15-passenger vans for transporting youth is highly discouraged.  Use of a university owned or state rented 12/15 passenger van for transporting youth is prohibited.  FAQ #25            While the practice is highly discouraged, prior to making a decision to transport youth in a county-owned, rental, or privately-owned van with a volunteer driver, staff members should verify insurance coverage through the county.  Using 7-8 passenger mini vans is encouraged.  By renting mini vans you transfer the risk by purchasing the insurance.  Another option is to arrange bus transportation.  The risk is transferred by having the bus company provide the insurance.

 

Staff

4-H Youth Development staff members are prohibited from driving a 12/15 passenger van with youth passengers.  If a university employee is driving a 12/15 passenger van to transport adults, they must follow university policy. http://www.uwsa.edu/oslp/rm/manual/part7/vehuse_driverauth.htm

 

Employees transporting youth in their personal vehicle is discouraged.  The employee’s personal insurance serves as the primary coverage.  Adequate insurance is critical.  As with volunteer recommendations, the employee should have a minimum limit of $500,000 combined single limit, or limits of $100,000/$500,000/$100,000 which means they have auto liability coverage limit of $100,000 Bodily Injury (per person) with $500,000 Bodily Injury (per accident) and $100,000 of property damage coverage.  If the employee decides to transport youth, leasing a vehicle is recommended as this transfers the risk.

 

When driving county owned vehicles, UW-Extension employees must meet University guidelines.  Check with the county manager for additional county guidelines when using county owned vehicles.

 

For additional information on use of vehicles when transporting program participants, please refer to: http://www.uwsa.edu/oslp/rm/manual/part7/vehuse_driverauth.htm