Mount St. Mary's University Student Driver Program

Any student requesting to drive a university van for a university project must be on the university's list of approved drivers. Public Safety is the department assigned the task of coordinating the Student Drivers Program.

Public Safety is responsible for conducting a written and road test exam to determine the driving knowledge and skills of each applicant. All applicants must have a minimum one year of driving experience.

The driver license history (MVR) of each applicant will be reviewed by Public Safety. These license history checks will also be performed as well, on an annual basis, of all employees who drive university vehicles as an occupation requirement. The privilege of driving a university vehicle will be denied to any applicant with 3 or more points for moving violations on their MVR.

It is the responsibility of each department, athletic group, student organization or faculty member who require student drivers to have those students contact Public Safety and arrange to enter the program.

Procedure For Written Test:

1. Students may take the written portion of the exam at the Public Safety office between the hours of 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday and should call ahead for an appointment. At the time of the written exam students must bring their MSM ID card and their valid drivers license. Students must have a minimum of one year of drivers experience with a valid license. A copy of the student's ID and driver's license is made and attached to the test papers. The student must have a current copy of there MVR at this time.
2. The student will first read the Motor Vehicle Use Agreement and the Student Driver Sign-Out sheet. The student must then sign the use agreement. This portion of the agreement is copied and attached to the test papers on completion of the written portion of the test. This proves that the student has read the rules and is aware of his or her responsibilities as a driver.
3. Written test is then issued in presence of a proctor.The student must obtain a score of at least 75%. (15 out of 20 questions)
4. Upon successful completion of the written exam, an appointment for the road test portion of the exam will be scheduled.
5. If the student fails the test, he/she will be contacted as soon as possible to cancel the road test. The student will be instructed that he or she can return to the office to retake the written test if they so desire another appointment will be scheduled.

Road Test Procedures:

1. The student will meet with a Public safety representativer on the scheduled date and time.
2. The representative will go over the Use Agreement that the student has already signed. They will also discuss with the student, the Student Driver Check-Out sheet, the Vehicle Utilization Record, and any questions from the written test which the student missed.
3. The officer will demonstrate to the student the external and internal inspection process that every driver is encouraged to conduct of the MSM vehicle before departing.
4. They representative will give the student an opportunity to see and become familiar with the difference in size of a van and other motorized vehicle.
5. The representative will then accompany the student to an on and off campus road test, observing the student's driving habits and ability to drive the van.
6. If the student is successful and passes the representative will sign the test and see that the students name is added to the Authorized Drivers List.
7. If the student fails the road test he or she will need to discuss with what the officer what improvements need to occur before another test can be scheduled. The student will not have to retake the written test.

Checking Students Driving History:

Due to time restraints a student's driving history may not be received until some time after the road test. When a student's MVR is obtained and if the student is found to have 3 or more moving violations or a DUI/DWI their name will be immediately removed from the MSM Authorized Drivers list.