Policy Text
\n\n--- Page 1 ---\n\nSEMINOLE COUNTY SHERIFF'S NUMBER:
G - 8
OFFICE
RESCINDS:
GENERAL ORDER
SUBJECT: Vehicle Management
EFFECTIVE: November 14, 1994
REVISED: November 8, 2024
Table of Contents:
I. Purpose
II. Scope
III. Governing Laws / Regulations
IV. Assigned Vehicle Program
V. Vehicle Allowance in Lieu of Assigned Vehicle
VI. Other Vehicle Assignment Options
VII. Vehicle Operation (General)
VIII Vehicle Operation (Fueling)
IX. Transportation of Passengers
X. Maintenance and Repair
XI. Speedometer Calibration
XII. Pool/Spare (Temporary Use) Vehicles
XIII. License Plates
XIV. Window Tint
XV. Blue Lights
XVI. E-PASS Transponders
XVII. Personal Equipment
XVIII. Special Purpose Vehicles
XIX. Vehicle Issue, Replacement and Turn-In Policy
I. PURPOSE:
This directive provides policy and procedures for the use of Sheriff's Office vehicles.
II. SCOPE:
A. This directive applies to employees and volunteers authorized to operate Sheriff’s Office vehicles.
Vehicles may be operated only if a driver possesses a valid Florida driver license with a class of license
appropriate to their vehicle assignment.
B. If an operator’s license becomes expired, suspended, or revoked they must immediately notify their
supervisor and not operate any agency vehicle.
C. Supervisors are required to periodically check the driver’s license status of employees and volunteers under
their command to ensure compliance with the above requirements.
GENERAL ORDER
Vehicle Management
GO # 8 PAGE 1 OF 16\n\n--- Page 2 ---\n\nIII. GOVERNING LAWS AND REGULATIONS:
A. Vehicle Allowance Plans:
1. Section 112.061(7)(f), Florida Statutes:
Authority to establish monthly allowances for use of privately owned vehicles and requirements.
2. IRS Publication 463:
Travel, Entertainment, Gifts and Car Expenses.
3. FLSA Regulation 29CFR 778.217(C):
Reimbursement for expenses is excludable from inclusion in the employees’ regular rate of pay
when determining overtime unless the reimbursement is disproportionately large.
B. Vehicle Take Home Policy:
1. Attorney General Opinion 74-384:
Affirms the practice of a take home vehicle program when such a program is determined to
provide a public benefit.
2. Department of Treasury Regulation 1.274-6T(a)(2):
States that for an employee’s use of an agency provided vehicle to be non-taxable to the employee
the employer must have an established written policy in accordance with the regulations
(applicable only to sworn employees driving marked and unmarked vehicles).
3. IRS Publication 15-B, Employer’s Tax Guide to Fringe Benefits:
Establishes methods of employee taxation for use of employer provided vehicles. (Applicable
to the $3.00 taxable charge per work day for non-sworn employees assigned take-home
vehicles).
4. Florida Sheriff’s Association Bulletin 85-13 and 90-3:
Discuses tax implications for assigned agency vehicles for both sworn and non-sworn employees.
C. License Plates:
1. Section 320.0655, Florida Statutes:
Sets forth requirements for obtaining license plates for agency owned vehicles.
2. Section 320.025, Florida Statutes:
Sets forth requirements for issuing confidential and fictitious plates.
D. E-Pass Transponders:
Section 338.155, Florida Statutes and Section 3.06 of the master resolution for the Orlando-Orange County
Expressway Authority establish requirements for issuing “no cost” E-Pass transponders.
E. Window Tinting:
Section 316.2951 – 316.2957 set forth requirements for window tinting. Section 316.29545 provides for
the exception to the law for certain law enforcement vehicles.
F. Blue Lights:
1. Section 316.2397, Florida Statutes:
Authorizes the use of blue lights on marked “Department of Corrections” vehicles responding to
GENERAL ORDER
Vehicle Management
GO # 8 PAGE 2 OF 16\n\n--- Page 3 ---\n\nemergencies.
2. Section 843.081, Florida Statutes:
Provides that only sworn law enforcement officers may operate blue lights and further provides
that vehicle service personnel are exempt from this provision.
IV. ASSIGNED VEHICLE PROGRAM:
A. Objectives of the Assigned Vehicle Program:
1. Promotes cost-effective use by extending vehicle life and reducing maintenance/replacement
costs,
2. Decreases response times to emergencies and complaints,
3. Increases law enforcement visibility to deter criminal activity, and
4. Promotes community relations by increasing the number of personal contacts and services.
B. General Provisions:
1. The Sheriff, Chiefs and Captains have authority to suspend or terminate an employee’s use of
an assigned vehicle.
2. While operating an agency vehicle on or off duty, Deputies are required to monitor the Sheriff's
Office radio and have in their possession their identification credentials and badge, body armor,
handcuffs and approved firearm. Deputies should offer assistance when and where needed, and
are required to respond to emergency calls if they are close to an incident.
3. In lieu of issuing an employee an assigned vehicle, the Sheriff may approve a civilian or certified
employee for a vehicle allowance in accordance with state law.
C. Take Home Vehicles:
1. Employees must meet the following requirements before being assigned a take home vehicle:
a. Be a sworn officer as defined by the IRS, see Section IV(D)(2).
b. Certified or civilian employees must be in a position or assignment that necessitates
either demonstrated after-hours on-call requirements and/or in a position or assignment
where the employee typically reports directly to the field instead of their home office
and/or in a position or assignment that provides transportation for public citizens. These
requirements are typically addressed in the job description for the position.
c. Authorized a take home vehicle for their particular job assignment by the Sheriff.
d. If a sworn officer, must have completed the Field Training Program.
e. If a certified or civilian employee, must complete the Sheriff’s Office EVOC course or
equivalent program.
f. Must live in Seminole County or no further than 35 commuter miles from the Seminole
County line. Employees living beyond the 35 commuter miles limit shall secure their
vehicle at a designated location within Seminole County or as approved by the Fleet
Services Manager.
GENERAL ORDER
Vehicle Management
GO # 8 PAGE 3 OF 16\n\n--- Page 4 ---\n\n2. Employees not having take home vehicle privileges must leave the vehicle at Building 100 (or
other approved location) when off duty.
a. Community Deputies and Field Service Officers are required to give a set of keys to
their Community Lieutenant or place them in a designated key storage area.
b. Community Lieutenants may place unused, marked vehicles at strategic locations to
deter criminal activity.
(1) Marked vehicles should be placed at selected locations during regular business
hours or during times when maximum law enforcement visibility is desired.
(2) Unused vehicles should not be left at locations after business hours or when
their visibility is no longer required. Vehicles are to be returned to their
communities, and the keys returned to the Community Lieutenant or designated
key storage area.
D. Restrictions on Vehicle Use:
NOTE: The following restrictions on the use of assigned take home vehicles are based on Internal
Revenue Service regulations.
1. All Employees:
a. Assigned vehicles are used to travel to and from work related activities.
b. Assigned vehicles are used to conduct Sheriff’s Office business.
c. An employee’s Director/Captain must approve out of state travel.
2. Sworn Employees:
By definition of the IRS, a sworn officer must have full arrest powers within the agency’s
jurisdiction and must operate with a gun, radio and emergency light.
a. Sworn employees may use an assigned vehicle for De Minimis personal use, which is
defined as a personal errand conducted between the home and the workplace.
b. Sworn employees may use assigned vehicles for conducting personal business whether
in an on or off duty status within Seminole County, as long as they have their assigne