Civil Protection: Holders of a Category B driving licence will be able to drive vehicles weighing up to 5.5 tonnes after completing a 7-hour training course

The National Conference of Fire and Rescue Services was held on 29 November 2017 at the Ministry of the Interior. A favourable opinion was issued in accordance with the derogation authorised by European Directive 2006/126/EC of 20, for civil protection personnel (firefighters, military personnel, bomb disposal experts and volunteers from approved civil protection organisations). Holders of a Category B driving licence would thus be able to drive vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 5.5 tonnes, provided they complete a specific one-day training course (7 hours). For firefighters, a single medical examination by a doctor from the departmental fire and rescue service will be sufficient to authorise them to drive emergency and victim-assistance vehicles; the medical licence (green licence) will therefore not be compulsory. These measures have been described as “timely” by the National Federation of Firefighters of France, which aims to encourage the recruitment of volunteer firefighters.