Driver Operating Manual and Code of Conduct

1 General

The employee (hereinafter also referred to as "driver") must comply with the instructions of the shift supervisor at all times. Additionally, the local processes of the respective driving operation apply. Should processes not be followed by the driver, this may lead to a warning, reprimand, or termination, depending on the severity of the incident.

2 Safety

2.1 Driver's Duty of Care:

Drivers at CleverSolutions have a special duty of care, as they are entrusted with the transportation of people. Safety is the highest priority – this applies to the driver, passenger, and vehicle. This includes, in particular, compliance with the following regulations: StVO, PBefG, BOKraft, FeV, StVZO, UVV, and ArbZG.

2.2 Principles of Conduct:

Drivers are obliged to act carefully and considerately. They must behave in a way that no one else is harmed, endangered, or unduly impaired.

2.3 Prohibited Conduct

Alcohol, Drugs, and Impairing Substances: Alcohol or other impairing substances (e.g., narcotics) must not be consumed before or during service. A 0.0 per mille limit applies.
Smoking in the Vehicle: Smoking is prohibited in the vehicle, even with open windows and 30 seconds before entering the vehicle.
Electronic Devices while driving: The use of electronic devices such as tablets or smartphones is prohibited while driving.
Eating and Drinking in the Vehicle: Eating food while driving is not permitted.
Service Despite Illness: Service must not be performed if the individual has an infectious disease as per § 34 para. 3 of the IfSG. The same applies if household members are affected. The supervisor must be informed if there are any doubts.
Reversing: Reversing is generally prohibited as it endangers safety and increases the risk of accidents. However, if reversing is unavoidable, the driver must ensure that no persons or vehicles are put at risk. Before reversing, warning signals must be given, the reverse path must be free of obstacles, and the driver must constantly monitor the surroundings. Reversing should only be done to the minimum necessary extent and with extreme caution.
Unnecessary Warning Signals: Unnecessary warning signals, such as honking, must be avoided.
Vehicle Assignment: The vehicle may only be driven by persons assigned to it in the shift schedule. ‍
Misuse of Work Equipment: Work equipment may only be used for its intended purpose.

2.4 Accident Prevention Regulations

Driving Style and Speed: Speed limits must be strictly observed. If unsure, a slower speed should be chosen. Driving must be defensive, anticipatory, and adapted to weather and traffic conditions.
Distance and Seat Safety: A sufficient distance to the vehicle in front must always be maintained. Before departure, seats and mirrors must be correctly adjusted.
Seat Belts: Drivers and passengers are obliged to wear seat belts. The driver must inform passengers of this requirement before starting the journey.
Transport of Children: Children under 12 years of age or under 150 cm in height may only be transported with an appropriate booster seat.
Cargo Securing: Loose items and cargo must be securely stowed.
Fitness to Drive and Breaks: Regular breaks, fresh air, and stretching exercises are necessary to prevent fatigue. Drivers are required to wear sturdy footwear.
Annual training: Drivers must attend an annual refresher course according to UVV. ‍
Concentration in traffic: Full attention must always be directed towards traffic.

2.5 Behavior in case of accidents or breakdowns

In case of minor damage: Clear the roadway to ensure traffic flow (then proceed to 'Call the police')
In case of significant damage secure the accident scene:
Stop
Turn on the hazard lights
Put on the safety vest
Set up the warning triangle
Leave the danger zone
Call the police (Call: 110)
The driver describes the accident sequence calmly and factually.
Do not admit fault.
Obtain the accident report with the case number.
Ops Assistant or call Ops Manager
Secure evidence and photograph the accident scene:
Take photos of the damage and the surroundings from various perspectives.
Document damage to all involved vehicles or objects.
Witnesses locate (if third parties are involved):
Note down the official address and phone number of witnesses.
Passengers should also be considered witnesses.
Contact details of the other party involved (if third parties are involved):
Name, official address, phone number
Vehicle license plate, make, and model
Accident Report to be filled out by driver (or collect info for Motum)
What happened? Photos? Police authority & incident number?
In case of damage to parked vehicles:
Wait 30 minutes for the vehicle owner.
Contact the police.
Leave a note with contact details and inform that the damage has been reported to the police.

Note:

In case of work accidents (including those on the way to or from work), the insurance coverage of the statutory accident insurance fund applies. In the event of work accidents, only a designated accident insurance doctor ('Durchgangsarzt') must be consulted (free choice of doctor is restricted except for necessary first aid measures), and the supervisor must be informed. Based on the accident insurance doctor's report, an accident report for the statutory accident insurance fund must be filled out immediately with the supervisor.

3 Tasks and Responsibilities at the Start of the Shift

The shift must begin punctually with the assigned vehicle. One hour before the start of the shift, drivers will receive an automatic WhatsApp reminder. This reminder must be confirmed by the start of the shift at the latest to ensure availability and punctuality. In case of confirmation issues, the shift supervisor must be informed immediately.

Before starting work, the employee must check the following points:

3.1 Completeness of personal documents

The driver must ensure that the following complete and valid documents are carried:

Valid driver's license
Valid passenger transport license (P-Schein)
ID card or passport

3.2 Completeness and functionality of vehicle equipment

Before the start of the shift, the driver must check the vehicle's equipment for completeness and functionality:

Damage assessor, fuel card, and vehicle registration document
Phone (defect-free and updated) and phone charging cable
Card terminal and card terminal charging cable
Accident reports and service card
High-visibility vest, warning triangle, and first-aid kit
Booster seat
Cleaning supplies: paper roll, cleaner, and broom
Wheelchair device (if applicable, functional) and belts
Windshield scratches

3.3 Vehicle Functionality

The functionality of the assigned vehicle must be checked:

All defects or damages must be documented and reported before and after the shift.
In the event of serious defects, the driving service must not be commenced. In such cases, the employee must immediately contact the shift supervisor.

3.4 Dashcam Functionality

The dashcam in the vehicle must be operational:

Any visible impairment of the dashcam's functionality must be reported immediately to the shift supervisor before starting the journey.
The driver must not impair the proper functioning of the dashcam – specifically by:
Unplugging the power cable or removing the camera from its slot
Changing the recording angle
Soiling the lens
Other actions that disrupt or alter its functionality.

Note:

If personal documents are missing, the vehicle equipment is incomplete, or the functionality of the vehicle or devices is not guaranteed, the service must not commence!

4 Tasks and duties during the shift

The Driver logs into the app (e.g., Padam, Via, Ioki) to be available for passengers to book. Advance bookings in the app must be taken into account.
Ride requests must be executed immediately, to ensure punctuality and avoid delays for subsequent assignments. The Safety rules are always paramount (therefore, all traffic rules must be strictly observed, even in case of delays). The instructions in the driver app must be followed.
Transport services without a booked ride are not permitted.
Passengers may only board and alight at designated stops. Stopovers are not possible.
The driver checks the Ticket validity and correctly charges fares. Sufficient change in appropriate denominations must be carried. All Cash receipts must be correctly recorded in the payment terminal.
Break times must be adhered to according to the shift schedule.
Incidents: In case of incidents/unusual occurrences, the Shift supervisor to inform by phone.
Accessibility: For vehicles with accessible equipment, the driver is obliged to properly transport and support passengers in wheelchairs.
The Cleanliness of the vehicle interior must be regularly checked and ensured. Should the vehicle be dirty on the outside, this must be reported to the shift supervisor and a wash order requested.
Friendly and courteous behavior is mandatory (e.g., assistance with luggage or boarding for elderly persons). The driver provides the customer with information about the service upon request.
In some cases, accessible vehicles used. The driver is obliged to properly transport passengers in wheelchairs and to provide them with the best possible support.
If the passenger calls the driver, their phone number must not be stored or reused. This naturally also applies to all other customer information. The Data Protection must always be strictly adhered to ‍
Neat clothing and a neat appearance are mandatory (no tracksuits, jogging bottoms, etc.). If the employer provides workwear, it must be worn during working hours, kept clean, and treated with care. Cleaning is the responsibility of the driver. Replacement needs must be reported in good time.

5 Tasks and Duties at Shift End

The vehicle must be checked for Found items to be checked.
Trash and heavy soiling must be removed. In case of significant soiling, the shift supervisor must be informed. If necessary, cleaning must also be carried out during the shift.
At the Shift end the vehicle is always in the designated parking spaces on the company premises to be addressed. exceptions are prior explicitly with the Scheduling to be coordinated.

6 Sick Leave and Absences

The employee is obliged to notify the employer of any absence from work and its probable duration immediately and in good time before the agreed start of work, but in any case no later than two hours before the start of the shift on the first day of absence, by phone to the shift supervisor at the workplace and additionally by email.

In the event of illness-related incapacity to work, the employee must have the incapacity and its probable duration medically certified from the first day of illness.

Vacation requests must be submitted in a timely manner and in consultation with the supervisor. Vacation may only be taken once approved by the supervisor. The supervisor reserves the right to deny vacation requests (e.g., if it negatively impacts shift planning).

7 General Rules of Conduct

In the office, at break areas, sanitary facilities, and, if applicable, on the premises of local transport companies, the driver is obliged to behave in an exemplary manner. Drivers may only be present in areas they are authorized to access. Smoking at petrol stations, car washes, workshops, and multi-storey car parks is strictly prohibited. Speed limits on company premises must be observed at all times.

The following rules of conduct must be observed towards passengers: Every passenger must be treated with respect and friendliness. Insults, discrimination, or harassment constitute a serious violation of company policy. Sexual harassment of passengers and private contact are strictly prohibited and will result in appropriate consequences. Should a passenger initiate a discussion on a topic where the driver holds a differing opinion, the driver must remain friendly and respectful and professionally conclude the topic. The driver may not solicit tips from passengers. Tipping is a voluntary gesture from the customer, who is not obligated to do so. Furthermore, the driver is obliged to behave in an exemplary and collegial manner towards colleagues and superiors and to offer their support.