UW Driver

How to become an authorized driver, allowing employees to drive for business purposes at UW-Madison.

Get, renew, replace, or update a WA state driver license or ID card, purchase your driving record, and learn about license suspensions and driving safety. Skip to main content For full functionality of our online services (like tab renewal, address change, renew your professional license, etc.), site search, and Google Translate it's necessary. A Wisconsin driver was pulled over for driving a car decked out in colorful Christmas lights, police said Tuesday. A state trooper credited the driver for his creativity, but warned him it is again.

Also search for authorized drivers and get trained to drive a passenger bus.

Be an authorized driver

Steps to complete to become an authorized driver at UW-Madison.

Search the driver database

View and confirm authorized drivers who have completed the authorization process.

Passenger bus or vans

Use a passenger bus for larger group transportation at UW-Madison.

Steps to take for employees, students or others with a NetID.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Items you'll need

Have the following items prepared for this process (without these completed your Vehicle Use Agreement will not be processed) :

Your NetID and password
Your driver’s license number
Your supervisor’s name and email address (or other local authority such as Department Chair, Advisor).
The UDDS code for your department (e.g. UA000000, or UA for MSN campus + two digit Division code + two digit Dept code + two digit sub unit code). Ask your supervisor (or their supervisor) for appropriate UDDS code. You may also check your personal earning statement which states your UDDS code on top, middle box of the Statement following Department.
Entry of the UDDS code requires that you first select “UW MADISON” from the UW CAMPUS pick list. Then, click into the UW UDDS Code text box and type the letters UA followed by the six digits of your UDDS. Then click on the search icon, the drop down box will open and highlight your code. Click on the code to populate the field.
Out-of-state license holders will need to upload a PDF copy of their driving abstract/driving record and a legible copy of their license (front only) via the portal (there are two upload buttons for this purpose in the Out of State section). Note – When one scans the copies, rename to MVR & DL respectively. Driving records may be obtain from the applicable Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the respective State. We only require the non-certified copy. We recommend obtaining records directly from respective State’s DMV as these are less expensive verses commercial record sites, but commercial sites are acceptable if all details are provided (driver’s identity, license number, license status, including their driving record with details on: traffic accidents, traffic violations, driver license suspensions, driver license revocations, driver license cancellations, etc.). Fees for obtaining one’s records are an allowable employment expense.

Register

Complete the New Fleet Driver: Vehicle Use Agreement

Complete the New Fleet Driver: Vehicle Use Agreement, sometimes referred to as the VUA

Approval

Once the Vehicle Use Agreement process is completed your record will be uploaded and reviewed against established driver authorization criteria by UW-Madison Risk Management Office.

Applicants and Supervisors will be notified of approval/denial within 10 business days via email.

Full Vehicle Use Agreement forms must be completed and submitted through the Enterprise Fleet Management System (EFMS) by each individual requesting, and has been directed and authorized by campus, to drive for university business. The purpose for driving must be for official University business as determined by campus Supervisor/Department/Unit.

Requirement criteria

The established driver authorization criteria at UW-Madison that one must meet includes:

Must have a valid driver’s license. Note – per Wisconsin Law new residents to Wisconsin must obtain a WI driver’s license within 60 days of residence.
Drivers from Other Countries: The only acceptable international driving permit/license is from Canada. Any driver who has an out-of-country license or permit (other than Canada) and is requesting approval to drive on University business must pursue a Wisconsin driver’s license within 60 days of establishing residency.
Must have a minimum of two years licensed driving experience. International driving experience will be considered if evidence is provided.
Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Met all driving record standards. In summary authorization to drive University vehicles will be denied if a driving record reflects any of the following:
- Three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents in the past two years.
- Six or more points (Students/Volunteers).
- Seven or more points (Faculty/Staff or TE’s)
  - Points are assessed according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation point system. Risk Management assesses points for two years from the violation/accident date. This includes out-of-state violations/accidents. You may obtain a current copy of the point value assessment.
An Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Driving Under the Influence (DUI), or Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) violation within the past year,
Reckless driving violation within past year,
License has been reinstated for less than one year after revocation.
In addition, out of state residents and driver’s that have obtained a WI license but were licensed in another US State, US territory or Canada during the previous 24 months, must submit a copy of their applicable out of State Driver’s License (WI license copies are not needed) and Driving Abstract from their respective state for evaluation by Risk Management. Fees for obtaining one’s out of state records are an allowable employment expense through the employee’s department.

Volunteers who do not have a NetID will need to continue to submit a paper Vehicle Use Agreement. See the volunteer driver form and instructions.

Use the Enterprise Fleet Management System (EFMS) website to view and confirm approved UW-Madison authorized drivers.

Uw Stories Drivers

Once logged in, select Reports in the top menu, then select Driver Summary.

One may search by name or UDDS; however, the search will only return UW System drivers.

The University no longer allows the use of 12 or 15 passenger vans, unless, with very limited exception, authorized in writing by UW-Madison Risk Management and appropriate campus Dean or Vice Chancellor. All requirements of UW System Administration (UWSA) and State of WI Department of Administration’s 12/15 Passenger policy (UWSA Policy 615, 6. A.I.b.) must be fulfilled.

The University does allow the use of 14-passenger buses for transportation of larger groups when necessary. See Transportation Services for more details on 14-passenger buses and reservation information.

All drivers of 14-passenger buses must be at least 25 years of age, have completed the appropriate bus-driver training course, and meet all other driver requirements. Drivers are required to recertify every three years or when otherwise required by their Supervisor. Currently the 12-15 Passenger Van Training offered through Madison College (MATC) satisfies the training requirement for 14-passenger buses.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Van training instructions

Due to COVID-19, In person classroom Van training is currently on hold. If you or your department have an immediate need to train and certify a new driver, please contact Risk Management at driverauth@bussvc.wisc.edu. See the Recertification section for required refresher training available online.

Recertification

All Drivers must take an approved refresher van driving course every three years or when otherwise required by their Supervisor. Refresher training can be completed via classroom, behind the wheel, or online. In addition, you must always be an approved driver prior to taking the course. Note: Due to COVID-19, classroom and behind the wheel are on hold.

In the Enterprise Fleet Management System (EFMS) Reports section there will be a Y/N statement in the certified van column if a driver is approved to drive 14 passenger buses and a date in which they completed the training in the following column.

The online course is available through Madison College (MATC) Course # 33242, and the current cost is $21.45 per student. Please follow the instructions in the Van Driver Refresher Guide to register. The cost of this refresher training course is an allowable employment expense through the employee’s department.

Once the course is completed, the driver must provide certificate of successful completion to Risk Management at driverauth@bussvc.wisc.edu in order to update EFMS for reporting purposes.

Departments needing to check driving record in pre-employment or post-offer situation should use the Pre-Hire Driving Record Check form.

Travel Reimbursement/Expense Policy & Driver Authorization

See 314 Vehicle Use/Rental Policy related to travel and the need for driver authorization. Individuals must be authorized in order to drive reserve fleet vehicles, be reimbursed for personal vehicle business mileage and to rent a vehicle from external providers for University Business.

This is an accordion element with a series of buttons that open and close related content panels.

Expiration of driver authorization

Student, Volunteer, Canadian and out of state authorizations will expire, if not renewed, within one year.

All drivers are evaluated monthly and any individual no longer meeting our driver criteria will be deactivated with notification to employee and supervisor.

Uw Driver Safety & Awareness Training

Driver deactivation

It is the employing department’s responsibility to notify the Risk Management Office of terminated or retiring employees on a regular basis to remove them.

Renewal

To renew your driver authorization, the Driver Authorization Renewal “How To” guide provides details and instructions.

Driver Uw-300n

In general, only employees, agents, and students are allowed to ride in University/State owned vehicles. Exceptions to this rule arise when transportation is necessary or convenient for individuals who are dealing directly with, or involved in, University business. Passengers who are not employees, students or agents must have approval from Office of Risk Management.

For guidance on passenger allowances in all vehicle situations see table in Section 6 C, last row, from UW System Administrative Policy 615, Vehicle use and Driver Authorization.

Drivers are not permitted to use a state/fleet vehicle for a personal purpose. The only exceptions to this rule are incidental stops. Examples are stops at a restaurant for a meal, an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM) or financial institution, urgent care or emergency room or a gas station or convenience store.

Drivers should remember that public perception of state employees is important and influenced by how and where the public sees state vehicles being used. Drivers should not make incidental stops at locations the public would perceive as inappropriate. Examples are gaming and sports venues, liquor outlets and other locations where it is unlikely that any state business or allowable incidental use is involved.

Drivers required to stay overnight(s) away from home may, with permission of their supervisor, use a state vehicle for the types of necessary activity that could be expected of a traveler away from home. Examples include evening use to go to a pharmacy, grocery, laundromat, fitness center, or other locations to purchase goods or conduct activities necessary for the employee’s health and well being.

The above guidelines also apply to use of personal and rental vehicles during business use. Operation of these vehicles outside of the above parameters would be considered personal use and therefore State of WI Self-Funded Liability Program’s excess automobile liability coverage not extended in these situations.

All applicable Rules of the Road must be followed at all times for any University business purpose vehicle operation.

Risk Management
21 North Park Street, Suite 5301
Madison, WI 53715

Uw Driver Safety & Awareness

Driver Authorization and Automobile
driverauth@bussvc.wisc.edu