Volunteer Driver Training

Welcome

Why was the manual updated?• Search capability• Content review• Links directly to RCW

Why Was the Manual Created?

• Best Practices• Always refer to your funding source

requirements• Know the legal requirements for your agency

If you have a policy… follow it!

Considerations

Sponsoring organizations should:• Have sufficient organizational strength and

structure to manage volunteers• May choose to limit exposure of volunteers• Must carry public liability insurance• Specific recommendations for insurance can

be found in pages 12-13

Consider Community Relations

• Your volunteers are your image• Volunteer actions an behaviors out in the

community influence public trust in your services.

• Creating good policies will help.

Recommended Policies• ADA• Ethics• Code of Conduct• Drug Free Workplace• Harassment• Confidentiality• Reporting Suspected Abuse• Drug Testing• Supervision – including annual reviews• Non-discrimination• Donations • Reimbursement

Other Issues Covered

• Disabled Parking Permits• Operating Across State Lines

Rider Information

• Who are the riders?• Should riders be registered?• Rider identification• Should children have escorts?• Are rider surveys useful?• What about rider grievances?

Part 1 – Recruiting volunteers

• Paid/unpaid staff• Create a job description• Employment advertisements• Community organizations• Churches• Website• Volunteer opportunities must be part of your

normal community talking points.

How Many?

• Consider how many FTE’s are needed to meet the community need.

• Consider what financial resources are available to cover costs

• Remember volunteers like flexibility.

Selecting Drivers• The driver should be at least 21 years of age.• Possess a valid driver's license appropriate for the type of

vehicle to be operated.• Provide a minimum of two excellent references. • Be able to operate the assigned equipment.• Be willing to attend required training courses and to follow

the Sponsoring Organization's policies.• A criminal history background check free of a record of crimes

against others – Department of Social and Health Services Secretary’s

List of Disqualifying Crimes• Check volunteer driver information against the signed Federal

Sex Offender

• Self-declared form indicating the ability to physically carry out the essential job functions as listed in the job description.

• Not have an uncontrolled chronic illness such as epilepsy, diabetes, heart, or respiratory problems. When indicated, a driver must be willing to provide a physician's statement qualifying him/her as physically able to drive. Suggested form is the one that goes with acquisition of a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). If the driver does not have medical insurance, the Sponsoring Organization may choose to pay for the physical exam.

• Not abuse alcohol, drugs, and/or medication.

• Willingness to sign and comply with sponsoring organization’s applicable policies covering confidentiality, ethics, and conflicts of interest.

Driving History

• 3 year• Require immediate notice of moving violations• Annual

Selection Process

• Job description• Application• Statement of Understanding• Manager reviews application• Manager conducts personal interview• DOL Driving Abstract• Criminal History• FBI Check• For POV - Insurance

Driver - Disqualified

• License or Insurance• Physical Restrictions• Criminal History• Inability to read/comprehend – maps• Unwilling to perform essential duties• Failure to respond to instructions

Driver Evaluations

• Ride along• Scheduled – at least annual• RecognitionOngoing opportunity to discuss• Confidentiality• Conflicts of Interest

Part 2 - Training Volunteer Drivers

• Document all training in volunteer driver file – topics, hours, attendance, certificates

• Checklists can be helpful to ensure all training has been provided

Recommended Topics

• Orientation/Logistics• Vehicle Operation, Lift and Wheelchair

Securement and Road Experience• Controlling Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens• Defensive Driving • Passenger Assistance and Sensitivity Training

Part 3 - Volunteer Driver Opportunities

• Model Programs• When to use drivers• Cost benefit breakdown• How to launch a program (local drive for

volunteers, local resources

Training Topics - Continued

• Car Seats and Child Securement• CPR and First Aid and Emergency Response• Gatekeeper Training• HIPAA• Abuse, Neglect, Abandonment and

Exploitation• Drug Free Workplace

Part 4 - Developing and Managing Volunteer Programs (Drivers)

Program Records• Original volunteer/employment application• Interview and reference check documentation• Criminal history documentation• Department of Licensing (DOL) history report

and any subsequent history reports generated• Copy of current driver’s license

Volunteer Files

• Copy of training certifications• On-going objective documentation• Any documentation relevant to performance• Copy of current personal automobile

insurance card. Insurance must be at least the State of Washington's minimum coverage requirement for POV drivers. Personal auto insurance verification must be kept current.

Vehicle Records

• Vehicle maintenance schedule• Maintenance records• Maintenance receipts• Description of maintenance completed• Daily pre-trip inspections• Inventory of safety equipment• Maintenance records for related safety

equipment (i.e. fire extinguishers)

Rider Records

• Rider's name• Address• Phone number• Age• Ethnicity• Income level• Medicaid and/or other specific program eligibility• Mobility information (i.e., uses a wheelchair, cane)

Rider Information

• Disability information (i.e., cerebral palsy, legally blind)

• Height and weight of children under eight years old• Name, address and phone number of emergency

contact• An individual Sponsoring Organization may require

additional information for specific program purposes. To assure that rider confidentiality is maintained, Rider files must be kept in a secure location.

Recording Trip Information

• Trip Requests• Trip Reports• Trip Denials, Late Cancels and No Shows• New and Unduplicated Riders• Trip Purpose

In-Kind Tracking and Reporting

• Volunteer Driver-Valuation of Time• Independent Sector

• Report on regular time sheet or trip report.• In-kind forms should be signed and dated by

the volunteer• Maintain in-kind files for audit and program

monitoring.

Issues With the Manual?

If you find any mistakes or have trouble with links, please notify info@ctanw.org with the page number and the problem.

Thank-You!