Why Does the DMV Deny, Suspend, or Revoke an Ambulance Driver Special Certificate?
Why Does the DMV take Disciplinary Action against an Ambulance Driver Special Certificate? Because Ambulance Drivers are entrusted to quickly and safely transport the sick and injured, they are among the most highly regulated of all drivers. In addition to those reasons listed under Vehicle Code Section 13369, the DMV is granted the power to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Special Certificate of any person, and for any cause, before or after the issuance of the certificate. If there is an immediate risk to safety due to a physical or mental condition, the DMV may take action immediately under Vehicle Code Section 13953.
Some of the additional reasons the DMV may deny, suspend, or revoke the ambulance driver certificate of any person include, but are not limited to:
Felony Conviction: Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(1), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has been convicted during the preceding seven years of ANY felony or convicted during that period of ANY theft.
Moral Turpitude:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(2), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has committed any act of moral turpitude, including fraud or intentional dishonesty for personal gain, within the preceding seven years. This section does not require that the driver be convicted of the alleged acts. The mere suspicion that a person has committed an act of moral turpitude is sufficient to take a disciplinary action.
Habitual Use or Addiction to Alcohol, Drugs or Medications: Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(3), permits the DMV to deny, suspend, or revoke the Ambulance Driver certificate of any person who habitually and excessively uses alcohol, drugs or prescription medications.
Use or Possession of Illegal Drugs:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(4), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has been convicted within the preceding seven years of any offense relative to the use, possession, sale or transportation of narcotics or addictive or dangerous drugs.
Conviction of Violent Misdemeanors:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b) (5), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who is convicted of ANY misdemeanor involving force, violence, threat or intimidation.
Probation for Driving Offenses:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(5), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who is on probation for the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle.
Unsafe Operation of ANY Motor Vehicle:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b) (6), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who, within the three years immediately preceding application, has had his or her driver license suspended or revoked for the unsafe operation of a motor vehicle or, within the same time period, has been convicted of any of the following:
- Failing to stop and render aid in an accident involving injury or death (Hit & Run).
- Driving under the influence of intoxicating liquor, any drug, or the combined influence of intoxicating liquor and any drug.
- Reckless driving or reckless driving involving bodily injury or death.
Traffic Collision:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(8), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has been involved as the driver of any accident involving bodily injury or death or; involved in three or more motor vehicle accidents in the preceding one year period.
Fraudulent Application:Vehicle Code Section 13369 (b)(5), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke an Ambulance Driver Certificate if a driver has knowingly made a false statement or concealed a material fact on an application for certificate or endorsement, when the truth would have resulted in a DMV action.
Physical or Mental Conditions:Vehicle Code Section 13369 (b)(9), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke an Ambulance Driver Certificate if the driver does not meet the minimum medical standards established by the DMV in Article 2.1, Sections 28.18 and 28.19, of Title 13, California Code of Regulations. If there is an immediate risk to safety, the action may be taken immediately under the authority of Vehicle Code Section 13953. So if a person has, or develops, a physical or mental condition which makes them unsafe to operate an emergency ambulance, the special certificate may be denied, suspended or revoked.
Irrational Behavior:Vehicle Code Section 13369 (b)(7), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke an Ambulance Driver Certificate if the driver has demonstrated irrational behavior to the extent that a reasonable and prudent person would have reasonable cause to believe that the ability to perform the duties of an Ambulance Driver may be impaired. For action to be warranted there must be a nexus (connection) between the behavior, and the applicant or certificate/endorsement holder’s ability to perform the duties required in driving an emergency ambulance.
Unsafe Operation of an Ambulance:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(11), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has violated any provision of the Vehicle Code or any regulation adopted by the Commissioner of the California Highway Patrol relating to the safe operation of emergency ambulances during the preceding one-year period.
Termination of Employment:Vehicle Code Section 13372 (b)(12), permits the DMV to deny, suspend or revoke the Ambulance Driver Certificate of any person who has committed any act which warrants dismissal by his or her employer.
Reapplication:Vehicle Code Section 13369 (f)(1), permits the driver to reapply for an Ambulance Driver Certificate not less than one year from the effective date of refusal, suspension or revocation, except in those cases where longer a period of withdrawal is required by law.