Since 1997, all personnel required to drive an ambulance have been mandated to pass the DVLA’s C1 driver training and test. Once successfully completed, those working in paid or unpaid roles (such as students) in ambulance services have had to further complete an ambulance emergency response (or ‘blue light’) driving course which takes 3-4 weeks to complete.
The C1 training and test costs around £1000-1500 to complete and has consequently been prohibitive to some from low-income households. In addition, the paramedic profession has developed since this legislation was introduced to the current picture where paramedics are found in roles across the healthcare, education and long-arm body systems where there is no longer a requirement for them to drive. The C1 driving legislation has therefore created a situation where the profession is under-represented by those with disabilities, who are unable to apply to universities and ambulance services for courses and employment due to this discriminatory policy.
The College of Paramedics would welcome the removal of the C1 licence as a requirement to apply for paramedic courses or roles as a paramedic and believe that this would be of great benefit to the profession, as it would increase its diversity and ultimately this would support reducing health inequalities.