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Driver Training: Employee Safety

23 minutesEN / ES / MLCCDriver & Fleet SafetyOSHA General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)); fleet liability best practices
Quick Answer

Driver Training: Employee Safety is a 23-minute online course that teaches employees the fundamentals of safe vehicle operation when driving for work, including defensive driving basics, pre-trip checks, and professional driving standards that reduce employer liability. It is designed for any employee who operates a company vehicle or personal vehicle for business purposes and includes a downloadable certificate of completion.

Course Overview

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the United States, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the National Safety Council. Employers bear significant liability when employees are involved in crashes while driving for work - whether in a company vehicle or a personal vehicle used for business. OSHA's General Duty Clause requires employers to address recognized hazards, and fleet-related incidents expose companies to negligent entrustment claims, increased workers' compensation costs, and reputational damage. The National Safety Council estimates that the average cost of a single work-related crash involving a company vehicle exceeds $75,000.

This course trains your employees on the responsibilities that come with driving a company vehicle or driving for work purposes. Your team will learn pre-trip vehicle inspection procedures, safe driving techniques including following distance and right-of-way rules, how to handle aggressive drivers and road hazards, and the higher standard of conduct expected when operating a vehicle that represents your company. The training reinforces that every employee behind the wheel affects your company's safety record and reputation.

What You'll Learn

  • Professional driving standards for employees representing a company
  • Pre-trip vehicle inspection procedures and vehicle readiness checks
  • Defensive driving fundamentals including following distance and right-of-way
  • Handling road hazards, aggressive drivers, and adverse weather conditions
  • Accident reporting procedures and documentation requirements
  • Employer liability exposure and the impact of employee driving behavior
  • Company driving policy expectations and consequences of violations

Who Needs This Training

  • Employees authorized to operate company-owned or leased vehicles
  • Employees who use personal vehicles for business travel or errands
  • Sales teams, field technicians, and service crews who drive to job sites
  • New hires completing company vehicle orientation requirements
  • Fleet coordinators responsible for driver onboarding and compliance
  • Supervisors managing employees who drive as part of their job duties

Regulatory Background

While no single OSHA standard specifically regulates employee driving, the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act) requires employers to maintain a workplace free from recognized hazards likely to cause death or serious physical harm, which courts have interpreted to include driving for work. Motor vehicle crashes consistently rank as the number one cause of occupational fatalities in the United States. Employers can be held liable under respondeat superior for crashes that occur within the scope of employment, and under negligent entrustment for allowing unqualified or risky drivers to operate company vehicles. The National Safety Council estimates that work-related motor vehicle crashes cost employers over $75,000 per incident when factoring in property damage, medical costs, legal expenses, and lost productivity. Documented driver training programs serve as a critical defense in litigation and a key factor in fleet insurance underwriting.

Frequently Asked Questions

OSHA does not have a specific standard for employee driver training, but the General Duty Clause obligates employers to address recognized workplace hazards. Since motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of occupational deaths, OSHA expects employers to implement reasonable measures to protect employees who drive for work. A documented driver safety training program is considered a best practice for compliance.
Yes. Employers can face liability when employees cause crashes while performing work duties, regardless of vehicle ownership. Companies that reimburse mileage, require travel between locations, or expect employees to run work errands using personal vehicles should include those employees in driver safety training programs.
The National Safety Council estimates that the average employer cost for a single work-related crash exceeds $75,000, factoring in vehicle damage, medical expenses, legal costs, workers' compensation, and lost productivity. Fatal crashes can cost employers over $1 million when litigation and settlement costs are included.
Most commercial auto insurance carriers factor driver training programs into their underwriting and pricing. Fleets with documented, recurring safety training programs typically qualify for lower premiums and deductibles. Insurance carriers view training documentation as evidence that the employer is actively managing risk, which reduces the insurer's projected claim exposure.
Yes. Requiring driver safety training before authorizing any employee to operate a company vehicle or drive for business establishes a clear safety standard and creates a documented record. This record is essential for defending against negligent entrustment claims, which allege that the employer failed to verify a driver's competency before assigning driving responsibilities.
$24.95
per person
Volume Pricing
Team Size Price per Person
1 - 9$24.95
10 - 24$19.95
25 - 49$17.95
50 - 99$17.50
Subtotal $24.95
Language

This course is available in English, Spanish, and Multi-Language CC at no additional charge.

Certificate of completion included. Downloadable upon passing the final assessment.

$24.95
per person