Is it legal to force soldiers to relinquish their state drivers license to act as collateral in exchange for a fuel card?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2020 09:45:06 -0400

So I currently work as a RTO and one of the desk sgts is making a new policy that patrols have to relinquish their state drivers license to exchange for a fuel card. I believe this to be illegal and suggested that we use a hand receipt instead but was ignored. Am I wrong in this being illegal?

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2020 9:56 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2020 09:56:16 -0400

Yea....this doesn't sound right. You might want to talk to your higher ups. NCOs don't make policy. Officers do. NCOs enforce policy. And I'm not handing my license over without a hand receipt

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2020 10:07 AM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 12 May 2020 10:07:41 -0400

So he's forcing you to drive without a license. Maybe you should write yourself a 1408

Response by CSM Darieus ZaGara made May 12 at 2020 10:17 AM

CSM Darieus ZaGara — Tue, 12 May 2020 10:17:29 -0400

You need your license to drive. I am sure this can be accomplished some other way. Speak with your leadership.

Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made May 12 at 2020 12:55 PM

SFC Ralph E Kelley — Tue, 12 May 2020 12:55:28 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member USAR Regulation 600-3, requires all operators of military, commercial or other vehicles controlled by the government to possess current civilian driver licenses and DA Form 348.
Taking it from you violates the intent of the regulation.
Additionally the regulation states the unit will: Chapter 1-4 , paragraph (5) Designate a transportation officer who will have staff oversight for commercial and non-tactical vehicle (NTV) operator training programs. In organizations without a transportation officer, the motor maintenance officer or a designated individual may be assigned this function in writing.
That would be your go-to guy BUT take it through your chain of command.

Response by SGM Steve Wettstein made May 12 at 2020 1:37 PM

SGM Steve Wettstein — Tue, 12 May 2020 13:37:02 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member NCOs do not make policy, they enforce them. Patrol vehicles are not added to military licenses and do not require one. In order to operate a GSA vehicle, you need to have a state drivers license. Unless it is a special vehicle such as a bus. Buses get annotated on your military license and on your DA FM 348. So what this Desk SGT is trying to do is not correct. I'm pretty sure they are making sure the fuel card comes back after shift. With all that said, don't try and punk out this misguided NCO. Let the PMO Operations SGT know about the situation and let them handle it.

Response by PO1 Rick Serviss made May 12 at 2020 6:17 PM

PO1 Rick Serviss — Tue, 12 May 2020 18:17:31 -0400

I think it is illegal and weird. If you don't have possession of your license what the f**k good is gas?