This subpart governs agencies in authorizing employees to operate Government-owned or -leased (acquired for other than short term use for which the Government does not have full control and accountability) motor vehicles for official purposes within the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

In this subpart:

Agency means a department, independent establishment, or other unit of the executive branch of the Federal Government, including a wholly owned Government corporation, in the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories and possessions of the United States.

Employee means an employee of an agency in either the competitive or excepted service or an enrollee of the Job Corps established by section 102 of the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C. 2712).

Identification card means the United States Government Motor Vehicle Operator's Identification Card, Optional Form 346, or an agency-issued identification card that names the types of Government-owned or -leased vehicles the holder is authorized to operate.

Identification document means an official identification form issued by an agency that properly identifies the individual as a Federal employee of the agency.

Incidental operator means an employee, other than one occupying a position officially classified as a motor vehicle operator, who is required to operate a Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle to properly carry out his or her assigned duties.

Motor vehicle means a vehicle designed and operated principally for highway transportation of property or passengers, but does not include a vehicle (a) designed or used for military field training, combat, or tactical purposes; (b) used principally within the confines of a regularly established military post, camp, or depot; or (c) regularly used by an agency in the performance of investigative, law enforcement, or intelligence duties if the head of the agency determines that exclusive control of the vehicle is essential to the effective performance of those duties.

Operator means an employee who is regularly required to operate Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles and is occupying a position officially classified as motor vehicle operator.

Road test means OPM's Test No. 544 or similar road tests developed by Federal agencies to evaluate the competency of prospective operators.

State license means a valid driver's license that would be required for the operation of similar vehicles for other than official Government business by the States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or territory or possession of the United States in which the employee is domiciled or principally employed.

This subpart governs agencies in authorizing their employees to operate Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles for official purposes within the States of the Union, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the territories or possessions of the United States and establishes minimum procedures to ensure the safe and efficient operation of such vehicles.

This subpart requires that agencies (a) establish an efficient and effective system to identify those Federal employees who are qualified and authorized to operate Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles while on official Government business; and (b) periodically review the competence and physical qualifications of these Federal employees to operate such vehicles safely.

(a) An agency may fill motor vehicle operator positions in the competitive or excepted services by any of the methods normally authorized for filling positions. Applicants for motor vehicle operator positions and incidental operators must meet the following requirements for these positions:

(1) Possess a safe driving record;

(2) Possess a valid State license;

(3) Except as provided in § 930.107, pass a road test; and

(4) Demonstrate that they are medically qualified to operate the appropriate motor vehicle safely in accordance with the standards and procedures established in this part.

(b) Agencies may establish additional requirements to assure that the objectives of this subpart are met.

An agency may detail an employee to an operator position in the competitive service for 30 days or less when the employee possesses a State license. For details exceeding 30 days, the employee must meet all the requirements of § 930.105 and any applicable OPM and agency regulations governing such details.

Under the following conditions, OPM or an agency head or his or her designated representative may waive the road test:

(a) OPM waives the road test requirement for operators of vehicles of one ton load capacity or less who possess a current driver's license from one of the 50 States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, where the employee is domiciled or principally employed, except for operators of buses and vehicles used for: (1) Transportation of dangerous materials; (2) law enforcement; or (3) emergency services.

(b) OPM waives the road test for operators, and agencies may waive the road test for incidental operators of any class of vehicle, who possess a current driver's license for the specific type of vehicle to be operated from one of the 50 States, District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, where the employee is domiciled or principally employed.

(c) An agency head may waive the road test for operators and incidental operators not covered by paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, but only when in his or her opinion it is impractical to apply it, and then only for an employee whose competence as a driver has been established by his or her past driving record.

At least once every 4 years, each agency will ensure that employees who operate Government-owned or leased vehicles are medically able to do so without undue risk to themselves or others. When there is a question about an employee's ability to operate a motor vehicle safely, the employee may be referred for a medical examination in accordance with the provisions of part 339 of this chapter.

(a) At least once every 4 years, each agency will review each employee's authorization to operate Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles.

(b) An agency may renew the employee's authorization only after the appropriate agency official has determined that the employee is medically qualified and continues to demonstrate competence to operate the type of motor vehicle to which assigned based on a continued safe driving record.

Agencies must have procedures to identify employees who are authorized to operate Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles. Such procedures must provide for adequate control of access to vehicles and assure that the other requirements of this subpart are met.

An operator or incidental operator will have a State license in his or her possession at all times while driving a Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle on a public highway.

The operator or incidental operator will have a valid agency identification card or document (e.g., building pass or credential) in his or her possession at all times while driving a Government-owned or -leased motor vehicle.

An agency will take adverse, disciplinary, or other appropriate action against an operator or an incidental operator in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Agency orders and directives will include the following reasons among those constituting sufficient cause for such action against an operator or an incidental operator:

(a) The employee is convicted of operating under the intoxicating influence of alcohol, narcotics, or pathogenic drugs.

(b) The employee is convicted of leaving the scene of an accident without making his or her identity known.

(c) The employee is not qualified to operate a Government-owned or -leased vehicle safely because of a physical or medical condition. In making such a determination, agencies should consult a Federal medical officer or other medical authority as appropriate.

(d) The employee's State license is revoked.

(e) The employee's State license is suspended. However, the agency may continue the employee in his or her position for operation of Government-owned or -leased motor vehicles on other than public highways for not to exceed 45 days from the date of suspension of the State license.

An agency will submit to OPM, on request (a) a copy of agency orders and directives issued in compliance with this subpart; and (b) such other reports as OPM may require for adequate administration and evaluation of the motor vehicle operator program.

Agencies may request authority from OPM to waive requirements in this subpart. OPM may grant exceptions or waivers when it finds these waivers or exceptions are in the interest of good administration and meet the objectives of this program.