This was one of the measures set out in Colonel Grégory Allione’s voluntary mission following his election as president of the National Federation of French Firefighters; it has now been implemented following the publication of the Decree 2019-1260 this Friday, 29 November.
Drivers of emergency vehicles are now authorised to drive vehicles weighing up to 4.5 tonnes with a Category B driving licence.
Decree 2019-1260 of 29 November 2019 concerning the driving of certain vehicles used for civil protection operations:
Article 1:
After Article R. 221-4 of the Highway Code, the following Article R. 221-4-1 is inserted:
“Art. R. 221-4-1. – Where they are used by professional and volunteer firefighters in fire and rescue services, civil servants and military personnel in units permanently assigned to civil protection duties, or members of accredited civil protection associations within the meaning of theArticle L. 725-1 of the Internal Security Code, vehicles designed and built for the carriage of passengers or goods, intended to carry a maximum of eight passengers excluding the driver, used for civil protection duties, and with a maximum authorised laden weight (GVW) is more than 3,500 kilograms but does not exceed 4,500 kilograms, may be driven by the holder of a valid Category B driving licence, provided that both of the following conditions are met:
‘- the probationary period laid down in Article L. 223-1 of this Code has expired;’
“– the licence holder has completed and passed a training course, the details of which are set out in orders issued by the Minister responsible for road safety.”
Article 2:
The Minister of the Interior is responsible for the implementation of this decree, which will be published in the Official Journal of the French Republic.