Fire-service driving licence for emergency vehicles: requirements, validity and categories

The fire-service driving licence is a separate document under section 32a FSG. It does not replace the required civil driving entitlement. It supplements it. Its function follows from the relationship between section 32a FSG and section 1(3) FSG.

For fire-service vehicles, section 1(3) FSG provides for category B together with the fire-service driving licence. For certain non-light trailers that are fire-service vehicles, the provision sets out another combination involving category BE and a fire-service driving licence. The general guidance on extending a driving licence class addresses a different question and does not replace this special check.

The provincial fire-service commander issues the fire-service driving licence when the requirements of section 32a(2) FSG are met. They are possession of a fire-service service pass, membership of a voluntary fire service, completion of the eighteenth year, training with proof of practical knowledge, and medical fitness.

1. Keep the fire-service service pass ready
2. Prove membership of a voluntary fire service
3. Document that the person has reached the age of 18
4. Prove training and practical knowledge under the applicable rules
5. Provide the prescribed proof of medical fitness

If one point is missing or the proof cannot be assigned clearly, issue should be clarified using the complete file. A general civil driving category alone does not answer whether the fire-service driving licence has been issued.

Section 32a(3) FSG provides that an implementing regulation sets the form and content of the fire-service driving licence and the detailed rules for training, proof of practical knowledge and proof of medical fitness. The Act therefore names the points to be reviewed, but it does not itself set out every detail of the proof procedure.

For preparation, separate the statutory requirement from the specific proof. Keep training confirmations, records of practical knowledge and the medical proof together with the fire-service service pass. The guidance on measures at a roadside stop concerns a later roadside situation and possible prevention of further driving.

Under section 32a(1) FSG, the fire-service driving licence is valid only together with the driving entitlement required under the second and third sentences of section 1(3) FSG. For driving fire-service vehicles, the second sentence of section 1(3) names category B together with the fire-service driving licence.

For towing trailers other than light trailers that are fire-service vehicles, the third sentence of section 1(3) names towing vehicles for categories C or C1, and D or D1, and additionally requires category BE and a fire-service driving licence. Before driving, compare the vehicle, trailer and recorded civil categories as one set.

Under section 32a(4) FSG, the fire-service driving licence becomes invalid for the duration of a withdrawal of the driving entitlement. It also becomes invalid when the driving entitlement has expired. The status of the civil entitlement is therefore decisive for using the fire-service driving licence.

When an authority takes a measure, check both documents and the precise legal status. A temporary withdrawal and an expired entitlement are separate points of reference. If the document is lost, the provincial fire-service commander may issue a duplicate fire-service driving licence on application.

Section 32a(6) FSG provides that section 20(4) FSG does not apply when a C, C1, D or D1 fire-service vehicle is driven. This special rule sits within the fire-service driving-licence provisions.

The rule does not change the requirement that the fire-service driving licence is valid only together with the civil driving entitlement required under section 1(3) FSG. For the journey in question, the vehicle category, trailer and both documents therefore remain relevant together.

• fire-service service pass
• confirmation of membership of the voluntary fire service
• proof that the person has reached the age of 18
• training confirmation and proof of practical knowledge
• proof of medical fitness
• fire-service driving licence and civil driving entitlement
• registration documents for the fire-service vehicle and any trailer
• decisions or other letters concerning withdrawal, expiry or restrictions of the driving entitlement

Arrange the documents by issue, vehicle combination and current status. This makes it possible to check whether the personal requirement, the required civil category and the planned journey correspond.

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