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Policy JHFD
Student Automobile Use
School-Sponsored Activities Off School Grounds
Whenever possible, school buses or other school vehicles shall be used to transport students to and from school-sponsored activities that take place off school grounds (i.e, field trips, vocational programs, games and other co-curricular activities). However, in circumstances when it is determined that transportation offered by the school is not possible or practical, or in those circumstances where the School Department does not provide transportation, the Superintendent/designee may authorize the student to drive himself/herself if the student driver abides by the requirements as set forth below.
Student Driver Responsibilities
Students may be granted the privilege of leaving school during the day to attend a school sponsored activity or event in their own vehicles if the following requirements are met:
The student and parent must complete the relevant paperwork prior to approval.
All student drivers must have a valid driver’s license, a valid Maine registration, and a current Maine inspection sticker for the vehicle.
All student drivers must carry, at a minimum, the following insurance limits: $100,000/$300,000 in coverage.
In order for a student to drive his/her vehicle to or from a school-sponsored activity or event, a student must complete a Student Driver Request/Registration Form that includes documentation concerning the student’s vehicle, insurance and parental permission. No application will be approved without proof of appropriate insurance and parental permission.
A student may not transport another student in his/her private vehicle without the approval of the Superintendent/designee. Approval will not be given if the student driver fails to list the passenger’s name on the foregoing Student Driver Request/Registration Form and fails to provide proof of permission of the parent/guardian of the passenger. The transportation of more than one student passenger is highly discouraged and will be allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
Students are to comply with all motor vehicle laws and rules of the road, including the law requiring the use of safety belts and the law prohibiting the use of cell phones, electronic devices, or other items that could distract the driver.
When operating their vehicles on school grounds, student drivers are required to drive safely and obey all traffic/parking rules and must yield to all pedestrians and school buses.
All School Department conduct policies are in effect when students drive their vehicles from school to school-sponsored activities off school grounds.
Student drivers shall make every effort to take the most direct route to reach their destination.
The building administrator has the discretion to suspend or revoke a student’s driving privileges, deny a student’s request that he or she be allowed to transport another student, and impose other disciplinary measures for driving infractions or other violations of School Department policies or school rules. The building administrator may also report driving infractions to local law enforcement authorities as he/she deems appropriate.
The South Portland School Department is not responsible for parking or traffic tickets.
Student Driver Request / Registration Form
The following information must be provided to the Superintendent of Schools/Designee prior to approval being granted for students to use their personal vehicles to travel to or from school-sponsored activities:
1. Personal Information of Student Making Request
Name:_________________________________ Class Year:______ Age:______
(First) (Last)
2. Vehicle Information
Make:______________ Model:_______________ Color:_____ Year:______ License Plate:__________
Owner of Vehicle:______________________________
3. Parent/Guardian Contact Information
Parent/Guardian:___________________________________________________
Daytime phone:________________Evening phone: __________________
4. Vehicle Insurance
Insurance Company:_________________ Policy Number: ______________
Coverage Amounts:_____________________________
5. Use of Student Vehicle
Date(s) of requested travel: _______________________________________
** If request is being submitted for daily use, please indicate
Destination:_________________________________________________________
Purpose of Trip: __________________________________________________
Approximate Mileage:_________________________
6. Passenger Information
Name:______________________________________ Class Year:______ Age:______
Name:______________________________________ Class Year:______ Age:______
7. Accompanying Documentation
You must provide with this request:
One copy of your current driver’s license
Evidence of current vehicle registration and inspection
Parent/guardian permission form
If you will be transporting another student, a parent/guardian permission form signed by the parent or guardian of the student being transported
One copy of the Declarations page or Certificate of Insurance from your provider, showing appropriate levels of current coverage.
Certification of Student
By signing this document, you are agreeing that you have read and understand the Student Automobile Use Policy and will comply with all items set forth in that policy.
_______________________ ______________
Student’s Signature Date
_______________________
Printed Name
Certification of Parent/Guardian for Student Under the Age of 18
I, being the parent or legal guardian of the student named above, request that the student be allowed to drive him/herself as set forth above and specifically consent to this transportation arrangement. By signing this document you are agreeing that you have read and understand the Student Automobile Use Policy.
______________________________ ______________
Signature of Parent/Guardian Date
_______________________
Printed Name
Parent/Guardian Permission For Student Automobile Use And Release Form
We, _______________________________________, hereby give permission for our child, ____________________________, to travel by means of private vehicle transportation from __________________________ to _________________________ on _______________________, 202__. We understand that the vehicle will be driven by _______________________.
We have read the South Portland School Department’s Student Automobile Policy and accept all conditions listed in that Policy. We understand that all School Department rules and policies apply to our child and the other students when they are traveling to or from school-sponsored activities.
We acknowledge that driving on public roads can be dangerous; that despite the fact that most young drivers try to be careful and safety conscious when driving, younger drivers are at a higher risk of having a serious accident than older, more experienced drivers; and that the presence of passengers has been determined to increase the risk of car accidents for teenage drivers. Recognizing the above risks, we do hereby agree to assume all risk of injury, harm or damage to _________________________’s person or property. We further release, discharge and agree to hold harmless the South Portland School Administrative Unit, its past and present governing board, administrators, employees, agents, and representatives (collectively “the Department”) and its successors, and assigns, from and against all rights and claims, including claims arising directly or indirectly from the Department’s own negligence, which we have or which may hereafter accrue to us, and any and all damages and claims which the student or we may have individually and/or as parents/guardian of the student arising out of such transportation. We agree, for ourselves and our successors, that the above representations are contractually binding, and are not mere recitals, and that if we or our successors assert any claim in contravention of this agreement, the asserting party shall be liable for the expenses (including legal fees) incurred by the other party or parties in defending, unless the other party or parties are finally adjudged liable on such claim for willful and wanton negligence.
We have read this document carefully before signing it, understand its terms, recognize that it constitutes a waiver of legal rights, and intend it to be enforceable to the greatest extent allowed by law.
CAUTION: READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.
DATED:__________________________ _________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
DATED:__________________________ _________________________________
Signature of Parent/Guardian
DATED:__________________________ _________________________________
Signature of Student
Revised: March 11, 2019
*Please excuse any formatting errors.