H.I.S. INTERNATIONAL MISSION
Psalm 107:7 Ride Home Project
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Document Number
HIS-P1077-SOP-001
Version
1.0
Effective Date
September 2, 2026
Approved By
____________________________
Next Review Date
September 2, 2027
1. Purpose
The Psalm 107:7 Ride Home Project provides safe, respectful transportation assistance to approved individuals who need help reaching a safe destination. The program serves people through practical Christian compassion while protecting riders, volunteer drivers, H.I.S. International Mission, and the public.
Guiding Scripture: “And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.” Psalm 107:7, KJV
2. Scope
This SOP applies to every pastor, coordinator, employee, volunteer driver, dispatcher, and ministry worker participating in the Ride Home Project. It covers ride requests, approvals, driver and vehicle qualification, trip conduct, emergencies, documentation, confidentiality, and incident review.
3. Program Limits
Rides depend on available approved drivers, safe conditions, funding, and program capacity.
The program does not provide emergency medical transportation, ambulance service, law-enforcement transport, commercial taxi service, or guaranteed transportation.
Drivers shall transport riders only to the destination approved before departure. Any change requires coordinator approval unless immediate safety requires another action.
No driver shall accept cash, gifts, favors, or private side arrangements from a rider.
No person under 18 shall ride without a parent or legal guardian unless H.I.S. leadership has approved a written minor-transport policy and consent process.
A ride shall be denied or ended when weather, road conditions, vehicle condition, threatening conduct, impairment, unlawful activity, or another safety concern creates unreasonable risk.
4. Roles and Responsibilities
4.1 Program Director or Designee
Approves program boundaries, service area, operating hours, forms, and driver eligibility.
Confirms insurance requirements with the organization’s insurer and reviews applicable local and state requirements.
Reviews serious incidents, complaints, suspensions, and corrective actions.
Maintains secure program records or assigns a records custodian.
4.2 Ride Coordinator
Receives and documents requests.
Screens each request against eligibility and safety requirements.
Assigns only approved drivers and records the driver, rider, vehicle, destination, and expected trip window.
Uses a check-in and trip-completion process.
Escalates emergencies, incidents, or suspected abuse to the proper authority and ministry leadership.
4.3 Volunteer Driver
Keeps all required qualifications current.
Inspects the vehicle before service and follows traffic laws.
Protects rider dignity, privacy, and personal boundaries.
Reports delays, route changes, safety concerns, accidents, complaints, and incidents promptly.
Declines any assignment when tired, impaired, ill, emotionally unable to drive safely, or when the vehicle is unsafe.
5. Driver Qualification
Before a volunteer transports any rider, the program coordinator shall verify and document all items below:
Valid driver’s license appropriate for the vehicle used.
Minimum age and driving-experience standard set by H.I.S. leadership and its insurer.
Acceptable motor-vehicle record, reviewed at enrollment and at least annually.
Background screening appropriate to the riders served.
Written proof of current automobile insurance meeting or exceeding legal and insurer requirements.
Signed volunteer-driver agreement, confidentiality pledge, conduct policy, and acknowledgment of this SOP.
Completion of orientation covering boundaries, safe driving, emergencies, incident reporting, disability respect, and abuse prevention.
No unresolved restriction, suspension, medical concern, or other condition that would make service unsafe.
6. Vehicle Requirements
Current registration and legally required insurance.
Working seat belts for every occupant.
Safe tires, brakes, lights, mirrors, windshield, wipers, doors, and heating or cooling appropriate to conditions.
A clean passenger area free from loose hazards, weapons, alcohol, illegal drugs, and tobacco or vaping use during service.
A charged phone, first-aid kit, flashlight, emergency contact information, and seasonal emergency supplies.
No transport when a dashboard warning, mechanical condition, recall, or damage reasonably affects safe operation.
7. Ride Request and Approval Procedure
Receive the request through the approved contact method. Do not promise a ride before screening and driver availability are confirmed.
Record the rider’s name, callback number, pickup location, destination, requested time, number of passengers, accessibility needs, and reason for transportation. Collect only information needed to arrange a safe ride.
Screen for immediate danger or medical emergency. Direct emergencies to 911. Do not dispatch a volunteer driver as a substitute for emergency services.
Confirm the destination is safe, specific, within the service area, and open or able to receive the rider when applicable.
Explain program limits, expected conduct, seat-belt requirements, privacy practices, and the rider’s responsibility for personal belongings.
Obtain the rider’s consent and any required release or acknowledgment before service. A release does not replace safe practices or valid insurance.
Assign an approved driver and approved vehicle. Give the driver only information needed for the trip.
Enter the ride in the dispatch log and establish check-in times.
After the ride, record completion, mileage, unusual events, and any needed follow-up.
8. Pickup, Transport, and Drop-Off
The driver checks in before departure and confirms the rider’s identity without requesting unnecessary personal details.
Every occupant wears a seat belt. The driver follows traffic laws and does not use a handheld phone while driving.
The driver uses the approved route when practical and does not make personal stops.
The driver maintains respectful conversation and avoids counseling, financial transactions, political pressure, romantic or sexual conduct, proselytizing pressure, or promises outside the program’s authority. Prayer is offered only with the rider’s willing consent and never while driving if doing so distracts the driver.
The driver does not enter a rider’s home unless an immediate safety need exists and coordinator approval has been obtained when possible.
At drop-off, the driver confirms the rider has reached the approved safe location, then reports trip completion to the coordinator.
9. Prohibited Conditions and Conduct
Driving after using alcohol, illegal drugs, impairing medication, or any substance that affects safe operation.
Transporting an unapproved passenger, child, animal, firearm, illegal item, or hazardous material. Service animals are handled according to applicable law and reasonable safety requirements.
Harassment, discrimination, retaliation, threats, physical contact outside reasonable assistance, or sharing a rider’s story, photograph, or identifying information without written authorization.
Using ministry service to solicit money, business, housing, labor, personal relationships, or future private rides.
Transporting a person whose conduct creates immediate danger. The driver shall move to a safe public place, contact the coordinator, and contact 911 when needed.
10. Emergency and Incident Response
Stop in a safe location and protect life first.
Call 911 for injury, medical distress, fire, collision, violence, missing person, or immediate danger.
Do not admit fault, argue, or promise payment. Cooperate with emergency responders and provide truthful facts.
Notify the Ride Coordinator as soon as safely possible.
Exchange legally required information after a collision and take photographs only when safe and lawful.
Complete an incident report before the end of the shift or within 24 hours when circumstances prevent immediate completion.
Preserve relevant records, messages, photographs, and witness information. Do not post about the incident.
The Program Director decides whether the driver or vehicle is removed from service pending review.
11. Confidentiality and Records
Ride records shall be treated as confidential ministry records. Access is limited to people with a work-related need. Records shall not include diagnoses, Social Security numbers, immigration status, or other sensitive information unless legally required and specifically approved.
Record
Minimum content
Ride request/dispatch log
Request date, rider contact, pickup, approved destination, assigned driver, vehicle, times, disposition
Driver file
Application, license verification, insurance, motor-vehicle review, screening, agreements, training
Vehicle check
Inspection date, vehicle, driver, deficiencies, corrective action
Incident/complaint file
Facts, persons notified, actions taken, supporting records, closure decision
Mileage/expense log
Date, approved trip, beginning and ending mileage, reimbursable expense and receipt
The Program Director shall set a written retention schedule with advice from the organization’s insurer and legal or tax professional. Records shall be stored securely and destroyed by a secure method after the retention period.
12. Expenses and Donations
Only preapproved mileage, fuel, tolls, parking, or emergency expenses qualify for reimbursement.
Drivers submit required logs and receipts within the time set by H.I.S. leadership.
Riders are not charged unless H.I.S. leadership establishes a lawful written fee policy.
Any donation is voluntary, goes directly through the organization’s approved donation process, and does not affect eligibility or service.
13. Complaints, Suspected Abuse, and Mandatory Reporting
Any complaint involving safety, harassment, discrimination, exploitation, abuse, neglect, financial misconduct, or retaliation shall be reported immediately to the Program Director. Workers shall follow applicable mandatory-reporting laws and contact emergency services or protective authorities when required. No worker shall investigate beyond gathering the basic facts needed for immediate safety and reporting.
14. Training and Annual Review
Orientation before the first assignment.
Annual refresher training and annual review of license, driving record, and insurance.
Immediate retraining after a policy change or when corrective action requires it.
Annual review of this SOP and after any serious incident, insurer recommendation, or legal change.
15. Forms and Logs
Ride Request and Consent Form
Dispatch and Trip Log
Volunteer Driver Application and Agreement
Driver Qualification Checklist
Vehicle Safety Checklist
Mileage and Expense Log
Incident and Complaint Report
Training Acknowledgment
16. Compliance and Risk Management
H.I.S. International Mission shall confirm insurance coverage before operations begin, including whether volunteer-driver, hired and non-owned automobile, general liability, participant accident, or other coverage is needed. Leadership shall obtain qualified legal and insurance guidance for the actual service area and operating model. This SOP is an operational policy and does not replace legal advice, insurance terms, emergency services, or any duty imposed by law.
17. Approval and Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that I received, read, and agree to follow this SOP. I understand that authorization to drive or coordinate rides depends on continued compliance and can be suspended or ended by H.I.S. International Mission.
Worker/Volunteer Name: __________________________________________
Signature: __________________________________ Date: ______________
Program Director Approval: _____________________ Date: ______________