Ambulance Driver Certificate problem, CA DMV

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jake101

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Hi everyone, I am posting here and elsewhere because I’m looking for some advice on what to do in a situation I’m in. So I am 19 years old, and I am a registered EMT. I am trying to start working for an ambulance company, but before I do so, I need to obtain my Ambulance Driver Certificate. After long waits at the DMV, and completing all of the required documents prior, I was turned away, even after passing the ambulance driver exam. As the woman who was finalizing my documents was going through my paperwork, she noticed that within my DOT physical, (which I had done at a private clinic), it did not have a signature under the “federal” portion of the medical examiners determination. The doctor had only signed off for me under the “state” portion. Even though the document states only one of these sections needs to be filled out, she stated that for an ambulance certificate, I need federal level medical clearance. So I went back the clinic where I got the physical done a week prior and explained my situation. The lady’s at the front desk understood and attempted to get the paperwork signed off, but the doctor refused to sign the federal portion for me because I am not 21 years old. That clinic even called another one of their own clinics elsewhere to ask if one of their doctors would sign it and they got the same answer. I honestly have no idea what to do at this point, but I know one thing for-sure is that there are people under the age of 21 who are working as EMTs and ambulance drivers in California. My thinking is that one of the parties I’m dealing with is incorrect here, but I don’t know how everybody else seemed to get their certificate with ease. Any help or advice is appreciated. Thank you to all in advance. - Jake
 
Per 49 CFR 391.11(b)(1) you must be 21 years old to meet the federal requirements. According to https://dotphysicaldoctor.com/ca1/ California law requires you to meet those federal requirements, but I'm not having much luck finding the actual California law that says that.
 
I just did a quick search and do not see any age requirements listed in the 49 CFR 391.41 regulations. So my guess is that it would be the medical provider you are attempting to use.

I would look around for another clinic, not part of that same one, and call up and ask before you go down there. I’ve never heard of a provider refusing to sign it because someone was under 21 as it is purely a medical exam with no age requirements.

You may also have luck in calling up your local ambulance companies and seeing who they use for their employees.
 
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DesertMedic66 said:
I just did a quick search and do not see any age requirements listed in the 49 CFR 391.41 regulations. So my guess is that it would be the medical provider you are attempting to use.

I would look around for another clinic, not part of that same one, and call up and ask before you go down there. I’ve never heard of a provider refusing to sign it because someone was under 21 as it is purely a medical exam with no age requirements.
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Yeah, I just went back and looked at the CFR again and agree with you. Nothing in the CFRs says you have to be 21 for the federal physical only. Obtaining an actual CDL is where the age restriction kicks in.
 
ffemt8978 said:
Yeah, I just went back and looked at the CFR again and agree with you. Nothing in the CFRs says you have to be 21 for the federal physical only. Obtaining an actual CDL is where the age restriction kicks in.
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the ambulance drivers certificate is not a CDL however it requires CDL paperwork/application and the CDL medical exam. It’s an absolute nightmare having to deal with the DMV with it.
 
DesertMedic66 said:
the ambulance drivers certificate is not a CDL however it requires CDL paperwork/application and the CDL medical exam. It’s an absolute nightmare having to deal with the DMV with it.
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The DMV and California are bad enough on their own...combined they're like an evil superpower.
 
I’d call a few local ambulance services and schools to see who they suggest for physicals.

Keep jumping through the hoops until you get somewhere.

Good luck!
 
I
DesertMedic66 said:
I just did a quick search and do not see any age requirements listed in the 49 CFR 391.41 regulations. So my guess is that it would be the medical provider you are attempting to use.

I would look around for another clinic, not part of that same one, and call up and ask before you go down there. I’ve never heard of a provider refusing to sign it because someone was under 21 as it is purely a medical exam with no age requirements.

You may also have luck in calling up your local ambulance companies and seeing who they use for their employees.
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I was thinking the same thing, the doctor at the clinic I went to may not have recently (or ever) signed off on a person my age for an Ambulance Certification. I hate how the DMV made this so hard to navigate for people my age. I believe the doctor would not sign it because he was unaware of the stipulations for people my age trying to gain this cert. Thank you for your efforts to help me out here, I appreciate it, because dealing with the DMV for days just makes you feel helpless.
 
MMiz said:
I’d call a few local ambulance services and schools to see who they suggest for physicals.

Keep jumping through the hoops until you get somewhere.

Good luck!
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Thank you I appreciate it!
 
ffemt8978 said:
Yeah, I just went back and looked at the CFR again and agree with you. Nothing in the CFRs says you have to be 21 for the federal physical only. Obtaining an actual CDL is where the age restriction kicks in.
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I believe this is where the confusion is with the DMV and the clinic I went to for my DOT physical. The fact that I had to apply for CDL, in order to apply for the certificate is confusing everybody and I believe the laws for operating a commercial vehicle interstate are being confused with the federal medical clearance I need to drive an ambulance. I thank you guys for helping me out here, I’m just trying to get on the job as soon as possible and gain some experience. Of course, it’s never going to be that easy though.
 
jake101 said:
I believe this is where the confusion is with the DMV and the clinic I went to for my DOT physical. The fact that I had to apply for CDL, in order to apply for the certificate is confusing everybody and I believe the laws for operating a commercial vehicle interstate are being confused with the federal medical clearance I need to drive an ambulance. I thank you guys for helping me out here, I’m just trying to get on the job as soon as possible and gain some experience. Of course, it’s never going to be that easy though.
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If you had to apply for a CDL, then my original point stands....you have to be 21.
 
According to the California DMV:

To apply for an Ambulance Driver Certificate, you will need to:
  • Be at least 18 years of age.
  • Hold a driver license that is valid in California.
  • Visit a DMV office (appointments are recommended).
  • Pay an application fee.
  • $25 for an original certificate.
  • Pass an Ambulance Driver Certification examination.
  • Allow sufficient time for testing, DMV will not administer knowledge tests within 30 minutes of closing. See hours of operation for the field office you are visiting.
  • Submit a completed Medical Examination Report (MER) Form (MCSA 5875) and Medical Examiner’s Certification (MEC) Form (MCSA 5876).
  • Submit a completed Request for Live Scan Service Application (DMV 8016). (Not required on renewal applications.)
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MMiz said:
According to the California DMV:
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Yes, my issue is that within the form “MCSA 5875” there is a federal portion and a state portion where a medical examiner can sign off to confirm the medical determination. My problem is that at the clinic that I went to, the doctor will not sign off on the federal portion (which the DMV is requesting from me in order to finalize everything).
 
ffemt8978 said:
If you had to apply for a CDL, then my original point stands....you have to be 21.
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The ambulance certification is listed in the CDL application but you do not have to be 21 to get it.
 
Part of the confusion is the swapping use of CDL. A CDL refers to a CA Drivers License. If you are referring to a Commercial Drivers License, which in CA is just an A or B endorsement, you need to be clear.
 
CCCSD said:
Part of the confusion is the swapping use of CDL. A CDL refers to a CA Drivers License. If you are referring to a Commercial Drivers License, which in CA is just an A or B endorsement, you need to be clear.
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The California DMV uses CDL as the abbreviation for Commercial Drivers License as it is referenced many times on their websites, applications, and other paperwork.

CDL has never been used as an abbreviation for California Drivers License.
 
DesertMedic66 said:
The California DMV uses CDL as the abbreviation for Commercial Drivers License as it is referenced many times on their websites, applications, and other paperwork.

CDL has never been used as an abbreviation for California Drivers License.
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Yeah? Try telling that to EVERY Cop in CA.
 
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