Safety & Compliance

What Is the EPN Program?

The Employer Pull Notice (EPN) program is administered by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). It allows Santa Clara University to monitor the driving records of individuals authorized to drive on University business.

How It Works

Once you are authorized to drive for SCU, the University enrolls you in the EPN program (for California drivers). The DMV then automatically provides record updates to Risk Management, including:

• Periodic Checks: Routine reviews of your driving record
• Automatic Alerts: Immediate notification of:
• Convictions
• License suspensions or revocations
• Certain serious violations
• Reportable accidents

Why SCU Participates

Participation in the EPN program supports the University’s broader safety and compliance objectives:

• Safety: Identifies potential risks early and supports corrective action when needed
• Compliance: Meets California legal requirements for monitoring drivers
• Consistency: Applies uniform standards across faculty, staff, and students

Who Must Be Enrolled?

You will generally be required to enroll if you:

• Drive a University-owned vehicle
• Rent vehicles for University-sponsored travel
• Drive a personal vehicle on University business

Risk Management determines final EPN applicability based on role and driving activity.

To ensure community safety, all authorized drivers must maintain an acceptable driving record. This applies regardless of vehicle type.

DMV Point System (High-Level)

SCU uses the California DMV point system as a baseline for evaluating driving risk.

Examples of Common Violations

1-Point Violations

• Speeding (1–15 mph over the limit)
• Failure to stop or yield
• Tailgating
  
  
• Distracted driving (non–hands-free phone use)

2-Point / Serious Violations

• DUI (alcohol or drugs)
• Reckless driving
• Speeding over 100 mph
• Driving with a suspended or revoked license
• Hit-and-run

Driver Eligibility/Violation Matrix Standards 

Below is the Driver Eligibility/Violations Matrix Standards. Its purpose is to establish consistent, defensible standards for determining eligibility to operate vehicles on behalf of Santa Clara University, aligned with insurer underwriting expectations and negligent entrustment risk management. It applies to Staff, Faculty, students, volunteers, and any individual authorized to drive on organizational business, regardless of vehicle ownership.

Driving authorization may be reviewed, restricted, or revoked based on a driver’s 12-month violation history:

• 2 points: Safety review and monitoring
• 3 points or 1 serious violation: Possible suspension of driving privileges
• 4+ points: Likely loss of driving privileges
• DUI offenses: Immediate revocation of authorization

Important: SCU reserves the right to immediately remove driving privileges following a serious accident, license suspension, or significant policy violation.

Authorization Requirements

Golf carts, utility carts, and specialty vehicles are considered motor vehicles for University purposes.

Anyone operating a cart must:

• Be authorized as a driver under the SCU Drivers Program
• Complete required cart or vehicle-specific training
• Follow all safety protocols and cart-authorized pathways

Common Misconceptions

• “It’s just a cart” → Still requires authorization
• “I only drive on campus” → Still subject to safety and training requirements
• “I drive once a year” → Authorization is still required before driving

These requirements exist to ensure safety, reduce injuries, and protect both the driver and the University.

Here is the link to Map of EV/Cart routes

If You Are Involved in an Accident

If anyone is injured, call 911 immediately.

If safe to do so:

• Move the vehicle out of traffic
• Exchange information (name, phone, insurance, license plate)
• Take photos of vehicles, damage, and surroundings
• Obtain police report information (if applicable)

Notify your supervisor and Risk Management (risk@scu.edu) as soon as possible.

Please provide:

• Date, time, and location
• Brief description of what occurred
• Names of involved parties
• Police report number (if available)

Do not admit fault at the scene.