The UNL Vehicle Safety Inspection Policy is hereby established in the interest of vehicle, occupant, and highway safety. This policy is supported by:

The NU Board of Regents General Policy - University Injury and Illness Prevention Program (RP-6.3.5).
Nebraska Revised Statues, Chapter 60, Section 6, which generally requires motor vehicles to have operational safety features.
National Highway Traffic Safety Association, Highway Safety Program Guideline No. 1, which requires at least annual motor vehicle inspection of systems, subsystems, and components having substantial relation to safe vehicle performance.
Effective November 25, 2002, all University of Nebraska-Lincoln owned and licensed motor vehicles operated on public routes must undergo an annual vehicle safety inspection, with the exception of current year vehicles. Current year vehicles are subject to this policy 12-months following acquisition.

Vehicles in the Lincoln area are to be inspected by ASE certified mechanics in the UNL Department of Transportation Services. Vehicles outside of the Lincoln area are to be inspected by ASE certified mechanics at facilities of the user’s choice. All vehicle inspections are to be conducted and recorded in accordance with the UNL Vehicle Safety Inspection Form, available from the UNL Department of Transportation Services. Copies of completed forms are to be forwarded to and maintained by Transportation Services. Vehicles failing the safety inspection are not to be operated until the defects are corrected and the safety inspection is completed.

Deans, Directors Department Heads/Chairs of the departments to which vehicles are registered are responsible to ensure compliance with this policy. Inspection cost will be the responsibility of the owning department.
Vehicle Usage

Every driver of a University vehicle is vulnerable to public criticism. Many complaints and reported misuse can be avoided if each driver adheres to the following rules:

1. DO NOT use a University owned vehicle for any personal transportation as per State Statute 60-1005.
2. DO NOT use a University-owned vehicle for towing, unless towing has been approved by Transportation Services.
3. Do observe all traffic rules and regulations.
4. DO drive carefully, safely and courteously.
5. NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES ARE ALLOWED IN OR ARE TO BE CONSUMED IN ANY UNIVERSITY VEHICLE.
6. SMOKING IS NOT ALLOWED IN ANY UNIVERSITY VEHICLE as per University of Nebraska policy.
7. Seat belt usage is required for all passengers in all State-owned vehicles as per University of Nebraska policy.
8. Radar Detectors are not to be used while operating a State owned vehicle as per Executive Order by the Governor of The State of Nebraska.

Citations for all parking and traffic violations will be the personal responsibility of the driver. This includes parking tickets received while parking on the UNL campus.

Whenever a vehicle is damaged through abuse, negligence, misuse, or when driven by a person under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, the department employing the driver of the vehicle will be furnished with a police report or with a complete statement of the circumstances by the Department of Transportation Services. The department and/or the individual shall be responsible for all damages.

Drivers of University vehicles must be staff members or employees and must possess a valid Nebraska Driver's license. Students (not employed by the University) are permitted to drive University vehicles only if they possess a valid driver's license and are traveling with a recognized University of Nebraska-Lincoln student organization.

Vehicle Security

The security of University vehicles and their contents is the drivers’ responsibility.

Vehicles, when left unattended for any reason, must have the keys removed, the windows tightly closed and the doors locked to prevent unauthorized use or theft of the vehicle or its contents. On campus, University Police check the security of parked, unattended University vehicles on a twenty-four hour basis and the following procedures are implemented when violations are found:

1. Car unlocked when the keys in ignition
   1. Officer will bring vehicle to Transportation Services
   2. Transportation Services will contact the offender's department during business hours by phone or mail
2. Car unlocked with credit card in vehicle
   1. Officer will remove credit card and lock vehicle if possible.
   2. Transportation Services will contact the person assigned the vehicle during business hours by phone or mail
3. Vehicle unlocked with no keys or credit card.
   1. Officer will lock vehicle if possible, and leave a vehicle security reminder.
4. Vehicles, which are blocking drives or illegally parked on University property.
   1. Officer will try to locate the driver and have the vehicle removed.
   2. Officer will ticket violators if unable to locate driver.
   3. If offense occurs repeatedly, vehicle will be taken to Transportation Services
   4. Transportation Services will contact the offender's department during business hours by phone or memo.
   5. Vehicles parked in Handicapped zone or restricted parking space will be ticketed and transported to Transportation Services