Vehicle Testing at Death Valley National Park ($5,000) Bond - National Park Service in All States
Table of Contents
Brief Summary
Hot weather testing in Death Valley runs on a special use permit, and the park will not let a single test vehicle in without its paperwork in order. The $5,000 bond is one piece of that file. Getting it done early keeps it from holding up a permit that already needs 30 days of lead time.
Death Valley National Park issues special use permits to the automobile industry for heat testing. The National Park Service is the obligee on this $5,000 bond, which backs the permit holder's promise to follow the permit terms and cover any damage or costs tied to the testing. Confirm the current bond form and filing steps with the park's Office of Special Park Uses before the bond is issued.
We can help with all All States bonds!
How to Apply for a Vehicle Testing at Death Valley National Park ($5,000) Bond:
- Submit the NPS 10-930 special use permit application at least 30 days before testing.
- Pay the $300 nonrefundable umbrella permit application fee.
- Provide a liability insurance certificate of at least $1,000,000 naming the United States as additional insured.
- Obtain the $5,000 bond with the National Park Service as obligee and confirm the form with the Office of Special Park Uses.
- Get a Trip Leader Addendum for each trip leader and pay the $100 processing fee.
- Email a Vehicle Test Trip Data Sheet at least 7 days before each trip.
Detailed Information About the All States Vehicle Testing at Death Valley National Park ($5,000) Bond:
How the testing permit works
Death Valley National Park issues special use permits to automakers and suppliers who want to test vehicles in extreme heat. Permits are issued under 36 CFR 1.6, which lets the superintendent write whatever terms and conditions are needed to protect park resources and public safety. A bond is one of those conditions.
The permit is split into two parts. The company first gets a Company Umbrella Permit. That application goes in at least 30 days before testing and includes the NPS 10-930 special use permit application, a $300 nonrefundable fee, and a certificate of liability insurance with at least $1,000,000 in coverage naming the United States as additional insured. The park may also charge cost recovery.
Each person leading a test trip then needs a Trip Leader Addendum, with a $100 processing fee. An addendum covers only the trips that leader runs in the park and is good for one calendar year. Plan on at least two weeks for processing.
What the bond covers
The $5,000 bond guarantees that the permit holder will meet the permit conditions. If testing damages park resources, or the company leaves costs unpaid, the National Park Service can make a claim against the bond. The surety pays valid claims and then recovers the money from the company.
Rules that catch testers off guard
Each trip leader can bring no more than 8 vehicles per trip. A Vehicle Test Trip Data Sheet has to be emailed to the Office of Special Park Uses at least 7 days before the trip, and faxes are no longer accepted. Every vehicle must carry a paper copy of the fully executed umbrella permit with the trip leader addendum attached. There is nowhere in the park to make copies, and a vehicle without one will not be allowed to test.
Eligibility and Requirements for an All States Vehicle Testing at Death Valley National Park ($5,000) Bond:
- The company name on the bond should match the name on the umbrella permit application.
- National Park Service, Death Valley National Park, named as obligee.
- Bond amount of $5,000 per the listing.
- Owner or company credit review by the surety.
- Paper copy of the executed permit and addendum in every test vehicle.
All States Vehicle Testing at Death Valley National Park ($5,000) Bond FAQs:
Companies testing vehicles in Death Valley National Park under a special use permit. The park sets bond and insurance conditions in the permit under 36 CFR 1.6.
The umbrella permit application is due at least 30 days before testing. Trip leader addendums take at least two weeks, and the park says it cannot process urgent requests.
No. The insurance protects against injury and damage claims and must name the United States as additional insured. The bond is a separate guarantee that the company will meet the permit terms.
The surety looks at the company's credit and financial strength. You pay a premium, usually for a one year term, rather than putting up the full $5,000.
The Office of Special Park Uses at Death Valley National Park, 760-786-3241, or deva_permits@nps.gov.
