DAF Form 172: Appointment of Vehicle Control Officials

DAF Form 172: Appointment of Vehicle Control Officials – The DAF Form 172, officially titled Appointment of Vehicle Control Officials, is a key Department of the Air Force form used to formally appoint primary and alternate Vehicle Control Officials (VCOs). Unit commanders rely on this form to designate responsible personnel for managing government-owned, leased, or assigned vehicles within their organizations.

This document supports the Air Force Vehicle Control Program (VCP), which ensures efficient, safe, and accountable management of non-tactical vehicles, including operator training, vehicle inspections, maintenance coordination, accident reporting, and compliance with fleet management policies.

What Is DAF Form 172 (Formerly AF Form 172)?

DAF Form 172 is the official appointment tool for VCOs. The current version dates to 24 February 2020. It replaced or transitioned from earlier AF Form 172 formats as the Department of the Air Force (DAF) standardized forms across the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.

Purpose: It provides written documentation that a specific individual (military or civilian) has been appointed by the unit commander to serve as the primary or alternate VCO. This appointment is mandatory for units with assigned or managed vehicles/equipment under Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) or Vehicle Management oversight.

VCOs serve as the unit-level point of contact for:

  • Daily vehicle operations and accountability
  • Operator training and licensing
  • Vehicle inspections and operator care
  • Coordination with base Vehicle Management Flight (LGRV)
  • Compliance with safety, utilization, and reporting requirements

Who Needs to Use DAF Form 172?

Unit commanders who have vehicles or equipment managed through the base Logistics Readiness Squadron (LRS) or Vehicle Fleet Management must appoint:

  • A primary VCO
  • At least one alternate VCO

Some units may appoint a second alternate, especially in high-deployment or high-tempo environments. Best practice is to ensure the primary and alternate are on different deployment cycles to maintain continuity.

Key users:

  • Squadron and unit commanders (Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and USSF)
  • Logistics Readiness personnel
  • Vehicle Control Officials and their alternates

The form must be reviewed and re-validated annually by the unit commander in many wings. A new DAF Form 172 is required if the appointee PCSs, separates, or is removed from the position.

Why the Vehicle Control Official (VCO) Role Matters?

The VCO program ensures government motor vehicles are managed with optimum responsiveness, efficiency, economy, and safety in support of the mission. VCO responsibilities typically include:

  • Maintaining a current vehicle master listing/hand receipt
  • Ensuring operators complete required training and licensing (e.g., AF Form 2293, Operator Identification Card)
  • Coordinating vehicle inspections, preventative maintenance, and recalls
  • Overseeing operator care to reduce accidents, abuse, and unnecessary wear
  • Managing documentation for new vehicle requests, modifications, and turn-ins
  • Supporting accident investigations and reports (e.g., Standard Form 91)
  • Conducting or supporting staff assistance visits and MICT self-assessments

Commanders must ensure appointed VCOs receive proper training from the installation Vehicle Management office, usually within 90 days of appointment. Failure to complete training can result in removal from the position and issuance of a new form.

How to Fill Out and Process DAF Form 172?

While the official PDF is available directly from Air Force e-Publishing, general sections typically include:

Section I – Unit/Organization Information
Unit designation, address, and commander details.

Section II – Appointment Details

  • Name, rank/grade, and position of the appointee
  • Type of appointment (Primary, Alternate, or Additional Alternate)
  • Effective date and duration (often indefinite until revoked or reviewed annually)

Section III – Commander Certification
Commander’s signature, date, and printed name confirming the appointment.

Additional blocks may cover contact information, training certification, or remarks.

Processing steps:

  1. Commander selects and approves qualified personnel.
  2. Complete the form with accurate information.
  3. Obtain required signatures.
  4. Forward a copy to the supporting Vehicle Management Flight (LGRV) or Fleet Management office.
  5. Retain a copy in the unit VCO continuity binder (electronic or hard copy) along with training records and other VCP documentation.
  6. Provide the appointee with access to required systems and training.

Many installations provide local supplements or guidebooks (e.g., via VM SharePoint) with detailed block-by-block instructions.

Important: Always use the most current version from the official source to ensure compliance.

Download the Official DAF Form 172

Direct official download:
DAF Form 172 – Appointment of Vehicle Control Officials (PDF)

Access all Department of the Air Force forms through the official Air Force e-Publishing website. Search for “DAF172” or “Appointment of Vehicle Control Officials.”

Note: The form is for official U.S. government use. Do not use unofficial fillable templates for final submissions unless approved by your local Vehicle Management office.

  • AF Form 170 – Appointment of Vehicle Trainer(s)
  • AF Form 1800 – Operator’s Inspection Guide and Trouble Report
  • AF Form 2293 – U.S. Air Force Motor Vehicle Operator Identification Card
  • AF Form 4355 – Vehicle Incoming Inspection
  • Standard Form 91 – Motor Vehicle Accident Report
  • DAFI 24-302 / AFI 24-302 – Vehicle Management procedures (and local supplements)
  • DAFMAN 91-203 – Safety standards (including vehicle operations)

Local base instructions (e.g., 90MWI24-302, McConnell AFB Sup, Eglin AFB Sup) often provide additional guidance on VCO duties and the Vehicle Control Program.

Best Practices for Compliance

  • Review appointments annually during commander’s review.
  • Maintain a robust VCO continuity binder with the signed DAF Form 172, training certificates, vehicle listings, and inspection records.
  • Coordinate closely with your installation’s Vehicle Fleet Manager (VFM) or Vehicle Management Superintendent (VMS).
  • Emphasize operator accountability to improve fleet readiness and reduce costs.

Proper use of DAF Form 172 strengthens unit-level vehicle management, supports mission readiness, and helps prevent compliance issues during inspections or audits.

Need the form or more guidance?
Visit the official Air Force e-Publishing site or contact your base Logistics Readiness Squadron Vehicle Management Flight for the latest local procedures and training.

This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available Department of the Air Force guidance and supplements as of 2026. Always consult the current official publication and your local chain of command for authoritative instructions.