SB 518

Under current law, authorized emergency vehicles include police vehicles, fire

department vehicles, and ambulances. When the operator of an authorized

emergency vehicle is responding to an emergency call or in pursuit of an actual or

suspected violator of the law, the operator is exempt from traffic restrictions relating

to speed, traffic signals, and direction of travel if the operator activates the vehicle's

warning lights and siren, but must drive with due regard under the circumstances

for the safety of all persons. The operator is also exempt from traffic restrictions

relating to parking if the operator activates the vehicle's warning lights.

Also under current law, ambulance operators are not required to participate in

or complete any specialized driver training program.

This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish and

administer an ambulance operator safety program consisting of several components.

First, DOT must promulgate rules setting standards for the safe operation of

ambulances. Second, DOT must establish a system of certification for operators of

ambulances based on the completion of an ambulance operator safety course. DOT

must prescribe the mandatory curriculum and components of an ambulance operator

safety course, which must include classroom instruction and actual practice driving

an ambulance accompanied by an instructor. The course must be consistent with the

safe operation of ambulance standards promulgated by DOT. DOT must provide

standards for the duration of the course, a mandatory written examination, and a

mandatory driving skills test, and any other standards for instruction or

examination considered necessary by DOT. Third, DOT must establish a system of

recertification for ambulance operators, requiring recertification every three years.

Applicants for recertification must pass the written examination required for initial

certification as an ambulance operator and, every six years, retake the ambulance

operator safety course. Fourth, DOT is authorized to certify, as third-party

ambulance operator safety course administrators, driver schools and technical

colleges that offer emergency vehicle operator courses if they have met criteria

established by DOT and paid an application fee. A third-party administrator may

test applicants for certification and recertification as ambulance operators, as well

as conduct the ambulance operator safety course. Finally, the bill requires DOT to

advise ambulance owners of the safety program and these new requirements for

ambulance operators.

Also under this bill, for the authorized emergency vehicle exemption from

traffic restrictions to apply, the operator of an ambulance must be currently certified

by DOT.