Fire service driving licence

Description

In addition to the previous "small" driving licence for emergency vehicles up to a maximum permissible mass of 4.75 tonnes, a "large" driving licence for emergency vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes has been created.

Members of volunteer fire brigades, rescue services recognised under state law, technical relief organisations and other civil protection units can apply for a driving licence that entitles them to drive emergency vehicles up to a maximum permissible mass of 7.5 tonnes (including vehicle combinations).

It is possible for the organisations concerned to train and test their volunteers to drive these emergency vehicles themselves within the framework of existing structures - also across organisations.

The driving authorisation is only valid for the voluntary performance of tasks by the above-mentioned organisations.

Prerequisites

• Membership of one of the above-mentioned organisation(s)
• Possession of category B for at least 2 years
• Organisation-internal training and examination

Legal basis

With the " Seventh Act to Amend the Road Traffic Act" of 23 June 2011, the German Bundestag created the prerequisites for the "large" special driving licence and authorised the federal states to specify the details by ordinance.

The Bavarian state government made use of this authorisation in an ordinance dated 19 July 2011 (Gesetz- und Verordnungsblatt 2011, page 342).