6.5.1.2: Qualifications for Drivers

Any driver who transports children for a child care program should be at least twenty-one years of age and should have:

1. A valid commercial driver’s license that authorizes the driver to operate the vehicle being driven;
2. Evidence of a safe driving record for more than five years, with no crashes where a citation was issued;
3. No alcohol, prescription or over-the-counter medications, or other drugs associated with impaired ability to drive, within twelve hours prior to transporting children. Drivers should ensure that any prescription or over-the-counter drugs taken will not impair their ability to drive;
4. No tobacco, electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), alcohol, or drug use while driving;
5. No criminal record of crimes against or involving children, child neglect or abuse, substance abuse, or any crime of violence;
6. No medical condition that would compromise driving, supervision, or evacuation capability including fatigue and sleep deprivation;
7. Valid pediatric CPR and first aid certificate if transporting children alone.

The driver’s license number and date of expiration, vehicle insurance information, and verification of current state vehicle inspection should be on file in the facility.

The child care program should require drug testing when noncompliance with the restriction on the use of alcohol or other drugs is suspected.

RATIONALE

Driving children is a significant responsibility. Child care programs must assure that anyone who drives the children is competent to drive the vehicle being driven.

It is known that driving under the influence of drugs (such as marijuana) and alcohol may impair a person's ability to drive safely (1-4). 

COMMENTS

The driver should advise his/her primary care provider of his/her job and question whether it is safe to drive children while on prescribed medication(s). Compliance can be measured by testing blood or urine levels for drugs. Refusal to permit such testing should preclude continued employment.

TYPE OF FACILITY

Center, Early Head Start, Head Start, Large Family Child Care Home, Small Family Child Care Home

RELATED STANDARDS

3.4.1.1 Use of Tobacco, Electronic Cigarettes, Alcohol, and Drugs
6.5.2.5 Distractions While Driving
9.2.3.15 Policies Prohibiting Smoking, Tobacco, Alcohol, Illegal Drugs, and Toxic Substances
9.2.5.1 Transportation Policy for Centers and Large Family Homes
9.2.5.2 Transportation Policy for Small Family Child Care Homes

REFERENCES

1. Volkow, N.D., Baler, R.D., Compton, W.M., R.B. Weiss, S.R.B. Adverse health effects of marijuana use. N Engl J Med 2014:370:2219-2227. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMra1402309. 
   
2. Lenné MG, Dietze PM, Triggs TJ, Walmsley S, Murphy B, Redman JR. The effects of cannabis and alcohol on simulated arterial driving: Influences of driving experience and task demand. Accid Anal Prev. 2010;42(3):859-866. doi:10.1016/j.aap.2009.04.021.
   
3. Hartman RL, Huestis MA. Cannabis effects on driving skills.Clin Chem. 2013;59(3):478-492. doi:10.1373/clinchem.2012.194381.
   
4. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2016. Impaired driving: Get the facts. http://www.cdc.gov/motorvehiclesafety/impaired_driving/impaired-drv_factsheet.html. 
   
5. ADDITIONAL REFERENCE:
   
   Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Secondhand smoke, kids and cars. 2016. http://www.tobaccofreekids.org/research/factsheets/pdf/0334.pdf.

NOTES

Content in the STANDARD was modified on 1/12/2017.