SANTA CRUZ COUNTY
PERSONNEL ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL

PURPOSE:

To establish the driving and driver license requirements under existing laws for job classes and positions within the County, considering reasonable accommodation issues.

LEGAL BASIS:

State of California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Driver License Requirements. 

Department of Transportation Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991.

CROSS REFERENCES: 
Sections II.13.A. Reasonable Accommodation
III.1. Classification Process
III.2. Classification Methods
III.3. Class Specification Guide

POLICY:

1. Departments are responsible for reviewing and approving the driving record of candidates prior to their being hired, per Procedure V below.
   
   
2. Departments are responsible for the following:
   
   1. Monitoring the attainment of driver licenses that are required after entry (e.g., a class which requires possession of a class B license within 6 months).
      
      
   2. Scheduling of alcohol and drug tests for employees prior to their being assigned to positions requiring class A or B driver licenses. (policy currently being developed by ERSA)
      
3. An employee's loss of a required driver license will be handled as follows:
   
   
   1. If the loss of the driver license is due to a condition or circumstance covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, please refer to the policies and procedures cited in Section II.13.A., Reasonable Accommodation.
      
      
   2. If the loss of the driver license is not covered by A above, the following applies: (policy currently being developed by ERSA)
      

1. Classes and specific positions are studied by PSD to determine if driving or related travel is required. This information is included in the class specifications. (See Procedure VI below for standard requirements language used on class specifications.)
   
   
2. Recruitment bulletins will include driver license requirements or options and notice of relevant alcohol and drug tests.
   
   
3. PSD completes the examination process and certifies names of qualified candidates to the department.
   
   
4. For positions requiring class A or B driver licenses upon entry, alcohol and drug tests will be conducted prior to hire.
   
   
5. The department obtains DMV printouts from the candidates for positions requiring driver licenses. (DMV's "general" printout, which is the most commonly requested, covers the driving record of the past three years; DMV's "H6" printout covers the last ten years.)
   
   
   1. Candidates are responsible for obtaining and paying for their printouts, unless otherwise specified by the department.
      
      NOTE: Candidates with valid out-of-state driver licenses may obtain a California class C license simply by passing the written test given by DMV, immediately after which a temporary valid class C license will be issued to them. This temporary license means the candidate will automatically be issued a permanent license, and qualifies the candidate for the County's hiring purposes.
      
      
   2. The department may use its discretion to obtain printouts at any time during the selection process. Printouts should be obtained by candidates from DMV a maximum of 30 days prior to the department review. Due to the fees incurred by the candidates, it is recommended that printouts be obtained after a job offer has been made, and prior to the medical examination.
      
      
   3. The department's review of the DMV printout and approval of the driving record required upon entry should be completed prior to the administration of any County medical examination.
      
      
   4. For driver licenses that are not required upon entry (e.g., a class A driver license that is required within 6 months from hire), departments are responsible for tracking and obtaining verification of licenses.
      
6. The following are standard driver license options and codes to be used for recordkeeping purposes, and standard language to be used in class specifications/bulletins under "Special Requirements":
   
   

   CODES  The following codes are used for the various options: A,B, and/or C Type of class S Some positions P Provide suitable transportation 1 Within six months from hire 2 Within twelve months from hire

   
   

   DRIVER LICENSE OPTIONS AND LANGUAGE FOR CLASS SPECIFICATIONS A  Possession of a valid California class A driver license. AS  Possession of a valid California class A driver license is required for some positions. B  Possession of a valid California class B driver license. BS  Possession of a valid California class B driver license is required for some positions. BA1  Possession of a valid California class B driver license; and within six months from hire, possession of a valid class A driver license. BA2  Possession of a valid California class B driver license; and within twelve months, possession of a valid class A driver license. C  Possession of a valid California class C driver license.  CS  Possession of a valid California class C driver license is required for some positions. CP  Possession of a valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority. CSP  Possession of a valid California class C driver license, or the ability to provide suitable transportation which is approved by the appointing authority, is required for some positions. CA1  Possession of a valid California class C driver license; and within six months from hire, possession of a valid class A driver license. CA2  Possession of a valid California class C driver license; and within twelve months from hire, possession of a valid class A driver license. CB1  Possession of a valid California class C driver license; and within six months from hire, possession of a valid class B driver license. CB2  Possession of a valid California class C driver license; and within twelve months from hire, possession of a valid class B driver license.