What Licence Is Required To Drive An Ambulance?

Are you thinking of becoming a paramedic or currently training?

If so you may need to upgrade your driving licence, due to the weight of the ambulance most of them can be used with just a standard car licence, you will need to upgrade to an HGV licence (7.5ton) otherwise known as a C1 licence

At Craig Baker Driver Training we offer this service and actually use a ex ambulance vehicle to deliver our training and testing so you can be confident you will be driving a similar vehicle while working as a paramedic

What is a Paramedic?

‘A paramedic works autonomously as a generalist clinician across a range of healthcare settings, usually in emergency, primary or urgent care. They may also specialise in clinical practice, education, leadership or research.’ The College of Paramedics (2019)'

Paramedics are registered healthcare professionals who have a unique role that crosses healthcare, public health, social care and public safety, they work autonomously providing care in a range of situations. Most well-known for working within Ambulance Services providing immediate and emergency care in response to 999 calls made by the public, paramedics now also work in other areas of healthcare, for example GP practices, hospital emergency departments and police custody suites.

How to Become a Paramedic

To practice as, and call yourself a paramedic, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). To register with the HCPC, you first need to successfully complete an approved qualification in paramedic science. 

There are different routes to studying and qualifying as a paramedic. You can:

take a full-time approved qualification in paramedic science (e.g. at a university) and then apply to an ambulance service for a job as a qualified paramedic

apply for a role as a student paramedic with an ambulance service and study while you work

apply for a degree standard apprenticeship in paramedic science with an ambulance service 

Becoming a paramedic takes between two and four years. The course includes a mixture of theory and practical work including placements with ambulance services and other healthcare settings. Each University or Ambulance Service sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully what you will need. A full list of current approved Universities offering programmes that lead to a paramedic qualification and registration can be found on the HCPC website.   

How Much Does A C1 Licence Cost?

A C1 licence is actually a HGV licence so you will need to follow the same steps as a HGV driver by taking a medical and completing a HGV theory test, in total you can expect to pay around £1500 to gain a C1 licence

How Long Does It Take To Get A C1 Licence?

The full process from attending your D4 medical to taking your theory test and practical C1 licence ambulance driver training usually takes around 6 - 8 weeks

Why Should I Choose Craig Baker Driver Training For My HGV Training?

Craig Baker Driver Training is highly experienced and offers comprehensive courses to ensure learners are well-prepared for their HGV driving career. The course is tailored to the individual's needs, with experienced instructors providing support and guidance every step of the way. Craig Baker Driver Training also has an excellent pass rate. We are the UK's leading HGV training provider

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