Rental Vehicle Policy
Responsibility for policy: Chief Financial Officer
Approving authority: Vice-Chancellor
Last reviewed: September 2016
Next review date: September 2021
Application
1. This policy applies to all staff of the University.
Purpose
2. The purpose of this policy is to ensure appropriate, equitable and cost-effective use of rental
vehicles by staff for University business.
Related documents
3. The following documents set out further information relevant to this policy:
 Health and Safety Policy
 PCard Policy
 Policy on the Use of Private Vehicles for University Business
 Procurement Policy
 Rental Vehicle FAQs and rates
 Smoke Free Policy
 Travel Policy
 Vehicle Use Policy
Definitions
4. In this policy:
University business means any activity that a staff member is expected to undertake during the
course of his or her work
domestic means within New Zealand
overseas means outside New Zealand
travel management company (TMC) means the University’s travel management company which
has been awarded the status of preferred supplier for travel and accommodation services
following a competitive tender process
University pool vehicle means a University vehicle that is available for short-term loan to
authorised drivers for the purpose of conducting University business.
Scope
5. This policy does not apply to the rental of vehicles by staff on study leave, which is subject to the
Study Leave Policy.
Principles
6. Staff travelling on University business must use the most cost-effective, safe, mode of
transportation (ensuring business requirements are met) available; this may include use of rental
vehicles, shuttles or public transport (bus, train, taxi etc.) or University pool vehicles.
7. Personal preference is not in itself an acceptable reason for renting a vehicle rather than using
public transport.
University pool vehicles
8. Staff who are required to travel on University business commencing and ending at a University of
Waikato campus must use a University pool vehicle whenever one is available, rather than using
a rental or private vehicle; University pool vehicles must be booked through the University Fleet
Management website. Further information may be obtained by emailing: [email protected].
Approval and use of rental vehicles for University business
9. Use of a rental vehicle is subject to the approval of the relevant line manager, who is responsible
for ensuring that appropriate consideration has been given to alternative forms of transport.
Smoking in rental vehicles
10. Smoking in rental vehicles is prohibited under the Smoke Free Policy.
Preferred supplier and insurance for domestic vehicle rentals
11. The University has a contract with a preferred supplier of domestic rental vehicles, details about
which are available from the Orbit Resource Centre, or directly from the University's TMC.
12. Use of a domestic rental vehicle company other than the preferred supplier is subject to the prior
approval of the Procurement Manager, and will be approved only if the preferred supplier is
unable to provide a suitable vehicle.
13. Unless approved otherwise under clause 12 of this policy or in such exceptional circumstances as
set out in clause 14 of this policy, staff must book domestic rental vehicles in advance from the
preferred supplier through either Unimarket or the University's TMC in order that the TMC can
fulfil its duty of care responsibilities; under no circumstances may staff make bookings directly
with the preferred rental vehicle company.
14. Only in exceptional circumstances where approved travel plans have been unavoidably disrupted
may staff book domestic rental vehicles directly with the preferred rental vehicle company or a
rental company other than the preferred supplier if the preferred supplier is unable to provide a
suitable vehicle; in such cases the staff member must notify the University’s TMC as soon as
practicable in order that the TMC can continue to fulfil its duty of care responsibilities.
15. Staff may not rent a vehicle above class CCAR (Compact, Auto, e.g. Toyota Corolla) unless the
nature of the business being undertaken is such that a people-mover, van or 4-wheel drive vehicle
is necessary and prior approval has been given by the relevant line manager.
16. The University's insurance covers domestic rental vehicles, which means that no additional
insurance cover is necessary.
Preferred supplier and insurance for overseas vehicle rentals
17. Staff who wish to book rental vehicles internationally must do so in advance through the
University's TMC and must first obtain authorisation from the relevant line manager; staff may
not rent a vehicle of more than 2000cc or a 'luxury' vehicle.
18. Staff renting vehicles overseas must purchase the mandatory insurance cover offered by the
relevant company but, because the University's travel insurance policy includes cover for rental
vehicle excesses up to $5,000, must decline any excess waiver option if offered.
Methods of payment
19. The preferred payment method for rental vehicles is University of Waikato PCard - this ensures
that any additional charges associated with the rental are met; where a staff member does not
hold a University PCard, the payment method for rental vehicles must be through a purchase
order raised in conjunction with the rental vehicle booking through Unimarket; staff should
ensure that purchase orders take into account any additional costs that may be incurred with the
rental.
20. Wherever practicable, rental vehicles must be refuelled before being returned to the rental
company to avoid further charges being incurred by the University; payment methods should be
used in the following order of priority:
a. departmental fuel card
b. University PCard
c. where a staff member does not hold a University PCard, the cost of refuelling must be met
personally and the staff member should seek reimbursement through staff claims.
21. Staff members must personally meet the cost of any tolls (other than any electronic tolls billed
directly to the rental vehicle company) and seek reimbursement through staff claims.
22. Staff members must retain all receipts for costs to enable reconciliation of PCard charges or
reimbursements.
Responsibilities
23. Staff are personally responsible for any parking fines, speeding tickets and other infringement
notices; under no circumstances may such charges be claimed back from the University or
charged to the rental company.
24. Line managers are responsible for ensuring that staff who report to them comply with this policy.
Responsibility for monitoring compliance
25. The Chief Financial Officer is responsible for monitoring compliance with this policy and
reporting any breaches to the Vice-Chancellor.
26. Breaches of this policy may result in disciplinary action under the Staff Code of Conduct.