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SEC-001: 15-Passenger Vans

 Date: 07/01/2004 Status: Final
Last Revised: 04/08/2011
Policy Type: University
Contact Office: Property & Liability Risk Management (Office of)
Oversight Executive: Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
Applies To: Academic Division, the Medical Center, and the College at Wise.
Table of Contents:

Policy Statement

Reason for Policy:

To promote safety in response to the serious safety concerns brought to light by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Research Note of April 2001 entitled, “The Rollover Propensity of Fifteen-Passenger Vans” and the Commonwealth of Virginia, Division of Risk Management’s advisory of 7/20/01.
Definition of Terms in Statement:
  • Specialty Vehicle:

    A vehicle designed to transport 10 or more passengers.
Policy Statement:

Groups of high school and younger students in the University's care must not be transported in 12- and 15-passenger vans, or other specialty vehicles not meeting school bus standards. These standards can be found at CFR Title 49-Transportation Chapter V Part 571 Federal motor Vehicle Safety Standards 571.220-222.

15-passenger vans may not be purchased or rented, effective 3/12/02.

As of 7/1/04, the use of 15-passenger vans for passenger transportation is no longer permitted. This does not apply to mini-buses equipped with dual wheels on each end of the rear axle.
Related Information:

Driver Safety Recommendations
15 Passenger Vans
Major Category: Safety, Security and Environmental Quality
Approved by, Date: Policy Review Committee, 05/10/2004
Revision History: Updated 4/8/11, 8/2/07.
Supersedes (previous policy):
VII.H.4, Phasing Out the Use of 15-Passenger Vans.