Chapter 2 – Fiscal Management

22020.16 Driving Rules

• Drivers must have in their possession a valid operator’s license while operating a state-owned vehicle.

• Employees shall adhere to all vehicle code requirements, including all posted speed limits.

• Traffic Citation

  • If an employee receives a traffic citation while driving a state-owned vehicle, they shall report the circumstances to their supervisor on the first work day in the office following the incident. Citations that indicate negligence or other serious conditions may result in departmental adverse personnel action.

  • The person to whom the citation is issued is responsible for all fines and other penalties levied.

  • It is permissible for persons who are not state employees to be passengers in state-owned vehicles, and they are insured by the state when the employee or agent of the state is acting within the scope of their employment. However:

    • State cars can only be driven by state employees or agents of the state.

    • Employees who wish to take their families with them are encouraged to use private automobiles. Transporting of family members in state-owned vehicles is discouraged.

    • Hitchhikers should not be picked up under any circumstances.

• Other Than State Business

  • Use of state-owned vehicles for other than state business is prohibited except as necessary to meet personal needs while traveling.

    • Personal needs do not include pleasure driving for sightseeing or recreational purposes.

    • The use of state-owned vehicles to and from restaurants within a reasonable distance from the place of lodging is authorized.

    • The DGSDepartment of General Services may notify agencies of alleged misuse of a state-owned vehicle. If, on the basis of any records it may have, the DGSDepartment of General Services is of the opinion that misuse has not occurred, the case will be closed by an answer to the complainant without referral to the agency.

• Travel Log

  • An automobile travel log is required under the CCRs, DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) 599.807, GCGovernment Code 13951(C) and SAMState Administrative Manual 4143.

  • The cost for repairs for damages to a car caused by an employee driving the car not in the course of their state employment, or which is due to willfully or imprudently operating the vehicle in an unsafe or illegal manner shall be charged to the driver (DPADepartment of Personnel Administration (see CalHR) 599.802-599-806 information).