Driver and Vehicle Safety Standard

The purpose of the Driver and Vehicle Safety Standard is to mitigate the inherent risks associated with driving, recognizing that it is one of the most hazardous activities individuals engage in on a daily basis, in a diverse range of roads, locations, and weather conditions.

This standard is designed to mitigate these risks by providing education and knowledge on basic defensive driving skills and establishing specific criteria aimed at protecting the well-being of drivers, passengers, and pedestrians, and minimizing the overall risk of incidents and injuries.


UCalgary Vehicle

Key elements of the standard include:

  • Driver registration and approval,
  • Mandatory driver safety training,
  • Prohibitions against distracted driving,
  • Fitness for duty requirements, and
  • The completion of a Journey Management Plan for specific situations.

 


How does this apply to you?


The Journey Management Plan

The Journey Management Plan helps drivers to analyze the trip ahead, anticipate the hazards, consider ways to reduce exposure to those hazards and prepare the driver and passengers should an emergency arise. 

Journey Management Plan Guideline

The Journey Management Plan aims to reduce driving risks and enhance safety. This guideline provides directions for completing the Journey Management Plan.

Journey Management Plan Form

You must complete a Journey Management Plan when:

- Driving to remote locations as defined in the Standard.

- Driving across provincial or international borders.

 

UCSafety App Guideline

The UCSafety App can be used as a communication tool if you have consistent cellular service during the journey.

 


Standard Implementation

The implementation will occur in stages, starting with a pilot launch in February followed by implementation workshops tailored for each department, area or faculty throughout the year. 

During these sessions, we will collaboratively review the standard's requirements, discuss your area, faculty, or department's activities, and develop a clear understanding of how the standard applies to your operations.

Learning Resources

Implementation Workshops

Implementation workshops will be planned in collaboration with your EHS consultant to ensure alignment with your needs and schedule. You also have the option to request a workshop

Training

The Standard includes a one-time 50-minute online defensive driving course, uniquely tailored to the university. This training is available free of charge on our university’s eLearning platform. 

Access the Defensive Driving Course (Login required)

Driver’s Safety Handbook

The Driver’s Safety Handbook serves as a reference tool to support driver and vehicle safety. It provides guidance on various aspects including journey planning, vehicle pre-trip inspections, vehicle use and emergency response guidelines.

Read the handbook


Driving on behalf of the University

Driving University of Calgary owned or rented vehicles or other forms of transportation along with operating powered mobile equipment must be listed on Hazard Assessment and Control Forms (HACFs) with appropriate controls identified and implemented.

Part 19 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code defines powered mobile equipment as a self-propelled machine or combination of machines, including a prime mover or a motor vehicle, designed to manipulate or move material or to provide a powered aerial device for workers.


Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

All individuals driving or using University-owned, leased, or rented vehicles while conducting university business must comply with University of Calgary policies and procedures.

Visit the Risk Management and Insurance Driving and Vehicles webpage for more information and to review the registration requirements.

Click here to register to drive on the Risk Management & Insurance Driver Registration System. 

Contact drivers@ucalgary.ca for additional information.

If you are operating a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the university, or if you are using your personal vehicle for work-related purposes on behalf of the University, you are considered to be driving on University business.

If you are a volunteer operating a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the university, or if you are using your personal vehicle for university purposes, you need to comply with the requirements of this standard. To determine which aspects of the standard are applicable to you, please refer to the "How does this apply to you" section on this page.

Volunteers are not required to complete the Defensive Driving course at this time. 

If you are a student operating a vehicle owned, leased, or rented by the university, or if you are using your personal vehicle for university purposes, the standard applies to you. To determine which aspects of the standard are applicable to you, please refer to the "How does this apply to you" section on this page.

You are required to complete the training if you:

  • Drive a university fleet vehicle.
  • Are required by Risk Management and Insurance to register for driver approval. 
  • Drive over 400 km per year on university business using personal vehicle and/or rental vehicles.

Volunteers are not required to complete the Defensive Driving at this time.

No. Journey Management Plans are required when:

  • Driving to remote locations. A location will be considered “remote” if:
    • the nearest established community with a population of 1,000 or more is no closer than 80 kilometres by the most direct route, or
    • areas with limited or no cellphone coverage.
  • Driving involves crossing Provincial or international borders.

Yes, you can use the UCSafety app as a communication tool if you have consistent cellular service during the journey.

If you don’t have consistent cellular service during the journey you need to identify and document a communication plan that includes:

  • A communication device
  • Check-in frequency
  • Actions you will take in case of a missed-check in

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Collection of personal information
Your personal information is collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and is required for updating your email subscription preferences. If you have any questions about the collection or use of this information, please visit our Access to Information page.