Fleet Solutions

Deciding which option is best for you

There are multiple factors to consider when deciding if you should rent from our fleet, purchase a vehicle, or use a privately owned vehicle.

	Personal Vehicle	Rental From Fleet	Purchasing
LIABILITY	You are liable for all damages in the event of an accident.	Fleet Services covers damages in the event of an accident.	Your department is liable for all damages in the event of an accident.
FLEXIBILITY	You are limited to using whatever vehicle you own.	Choose whatever kind of vehicle you need and for whatever duration of time.	You are committed to the vehicle for the long term.
BUDGET	Mileage reimbursement accounts for gas, wear and tear, and any incidents that may occur.	All liability and maintenance costs (and in some cases, fuel) are assumed by the university.	Departments are responsible for the cost of the vehicle, maintenance, insurance, options, and tag & title service.
SUSTAINABILITY	The university has no control over the age of the vehicle, mechanical soundness, fuel efficiency, etc.	Our fleet has the latest vehicle models including electric vehicles, ensuring lower emissions and the newest safety features.	Fleet Services can help you find a vehicle to ensure mechanical soundness, fuel efficiency, specialized needs, etc.
MAINTENANCE	Owners are responsible for storing, maintaining, insuring, and ensuring compliance with their own vehicles.	Maintenance and insurance are covered by Fleet Services.	Departments are responsible for maintenance and insurance which could be up to $2,605 for a truck over 3 years.
USAGE	Use a personal vehicle if in-state travel from home is closer than travel from campus.	Rent if the vehicle will be unused 4-6 days a week or only needed seasonally or for special events.	Purchase if the vehicle will be used daily or 3-4 times a week, or if you need to carry specialized equipment.

Choosing to Rent a Vehicle vs Using a Personal Vehicle

If you are traveling 65 miles or more in a day (approximate round-trip mileage between UMD and Baltimore), a mid-size sedan will cost less than a personal vehicle reimbursement.

If you are traveling 75+ miles (approximate round-trip mileage between UMD and Annapolis) with either multiple people or cargo, a minivan will be cheaper than a personal vehicle reimbursement.

It can be challenging to determine what vehicle solution will best fit your needs. Contact Fleet Services at fleetservices@umd.edu or (301) 405-5482 to consult with us and find the best solution.