Sirens, flashing lights, high speed, and more. The ambulance driver is undoubtedly a role that fascinates and attracts new volunteers. But what requirements must a person have to become one, and above all, what responsibilities and obligations do they hold?

At a bureaucratic level: Nationally, to date, there is no such figure as a driver-paramedic. The training and regulations concerning this role are the prerogative of the Regions. Some of them, such as Lombardy, have passed specific regulations on the matter; others have unclear or never-implemented rules. Overall, the situation appears very murky and varies from Region to Region: this article gives a clearer picture of the bureaucratic affair.

The Italian Red Cross represents a case apart. As some of you certainly know, all CRI vehicles have CRI plates and their driving must be authorized through a ministerial license. The Red Cross regulations require access to the course for members who have completed at least two years of service and hold the advanced level. This license includes categories similar to those of a traditional driver’s license, and each category qualifies the holder to drive a specific vehicle (car, minibus, ambulance, etc.).

Generally, the common requirements across all regional regulations are:

  • being at least 21 years old;
  • holding a category B driver’s license.

For example: Tuscany’s regulation requires the driver to be either 21 years old or to have held a license for at least 3 years (a condition I’ve always found rather ambiguous) and to hold not only the B license but also the basic level certification.

Don’t overlook the regulations of individual organizations, which might have very different criteria for authorizing a driver for emergency response (e.g., advanced level, years of service, etc.).

What responsibilities does a driver have? Link to heading

In addition to the responsibilities described in the previous article, remember that the driver is also part of the protocols as a rescuer and has additional responsibilities. In Tuscany, as in other Regions, the driver is also responsible for crew safety — not only during transport but also after arriving on scene. They are the one who assesses the scene and gives the crew the go-ahead to disembark, and they are also responsible for the patient’s safety during transport from the home to the ambulance.

What about during transport to the hospital? Link to heading

Beyond their own safety, the ambulance driver is also responsible for all crew members, the patient, and any other passengers (e.g., a parent in the case of a minor patient). They are also responsible for any damage caused to vehicles or people on the road. Article 177 of the Italian Highway Code also regulates ambulance behavior. Among the main aspects:

The combined use of audible and visual warning devices authorizes the driver to disregard the obligations, prohibitions, and limitations set by the highway code, while still observing common rules of prudence and diligence. Always obey traffic officers’ signals. Anyone on the road traveled by vehicles with activated audible and visual warning devices, or on adjacent roads near the junctions onto that road, must, as soon as they hear the additional audible warning signal, clear the way and, if necessary, stop. It is forbidden to follow such vehicles closely, taking advantage of their progress.

The same article also provides for administrative sanctions against those who improperly use emergency devices, for example, use not authorized by the 118 Operations Center or non-combined use: Art. 177 Para. 4 of the Highway Code Anyone who, outside the cases referred to in paragraph 1, uses the supplementary devices indicated therein is subject to an administrative fine ranging from €84 to €335.

There is also a penalty for those who fail to yield to emergency vehicles: Art. 177 Para. 5 of the Highway Code Anyone who violates the provisions of paragraph 3 is subject to an administrative fine ranging from €41 to €168.

It seems clear that cars are required to yield to emergency vehicles; however, the driver must always act with the utmost care so as never to compromise the safety of those being transported.

There are also so-called “standard rules” that form part of the driver’s duties (usually written in the organization’s regulations):

  • vehicle check at the start of the shift (water, oil, tire pressure, emergency devices, etc.);
  • good knowledge of the territory;
  • ability to carry out extraordinary vehicle maintenance (e.g., tire change);
  • being an excellent rescuer, given that on average the driver is the most senior member of the crew;
  • communication with the 118 Operations Center regarding arrival at the scene.

Certainly, even though the Highway Code supports us, emergency driving is never easy and above all never free from real danger. That’s why it’s always better to slow down when in doubt — because I think we’d all want to avoid scenes like this.

These are the common characteristics I’ve been able to identify in the driver’s role across the peninsula. Unfortunately, I can’t know every local reality, so if you have suggestions to improve the article or have found any errors, please comment below or send an email to admin@aznalubma.it. Thank you.