ambulance driver insurance?

[rpal1211]

Just went to an interview and they turned me down because I'm not 21, so the insurance company won't insure me to drive the ambulance. Is this the way it is with all ambulance companies? I wish I knew this before I spent my summer getting my EMT-B certification..

 

[medic_texas]

Most EMS services require you to be 21, you may look at being a Tech in the ER or a dispatcher until you're 21. That's what I did, I was on-call at a transfer service when I turned 21 and worked full time as a dispatcher.

 

[Flight-LP]

Just went to an interview and they turned me down because I'm not 21, so the insurance company won't insure me to drive the ambulance. Is this the way it is with all ambulance companies? I wish I knew this before I spent my summer getting my EMT-B certification..

It is typical for most agencies.

Have you considered trying to get on with a private BLS transfer company? With 2 B's on the truck, you wouldn't have to drive.

 

[Shishkabob]

Many, but not all.

I got hired on with AMR at 20.

 

[subliminal1284]

Its also not unheard of for companies to not allow people under 25 to drive.

 

[exodus]

1: How old are you?
2: Where do you live?

 

[rpal1211]

1: How old are you?
2: Where do you live?

19, Texas. Didn't really plan/want to be a tech, but I guess I have no other choice. Bummer

 

[SanDiegoEmt7]

Look into private companies. Some will allow anyone over 18 to drive as long as their DMV 10 year printout is ok.

 

[JCampbell]

Our private service here and all the others I know of around here won't hire drivers under 21. That being said, we have EMT's who are 19. They just don't drive. Our service and others in the area will hire "Non-Driver" EMTs. They make $.75 less per hour than a EMT Driver. That's $13.00 instead of $13.75 so not a great loss of pay.

 

[Rob123]

FYI, My Volunteer Corps requires that you're over 25 with a clean driver's record.
It's funny watching the 16/17 year old CFRs complain about that policy.

 

[TransportJockey]

I got hired by an IFT company at 20 to be an attend only... granted they did it because they knew I turned 21 in about 6 months from when they hired me

 

[exodus]

TBH. 19 year olds have *NO* business driving an ambulance. Yes, I am 19. But having a partner who is also 19 has really showed me the maturity levels.

Am I going to stop working because I'm 19? No. I have an 11/hour job practically in So-Cal. It's still not enough to live on, but it's better than mostly everyone else, especially at this age.

This is nothing against you, but at I don't think we have the driving experience to be able to properly driving an ambulance Code 3 and the maturity to make the most safe decisions and transport decisions on priority to the hospital...


EDIT: Idk how texas is, but if you want a job, look into IFT companies.

 

[rpal1211]

Yeah, maybe. I know that I'm not a jackass when it comes to driving, but there are a lot of people my age who drive like crap without lights and sirens. I don't have a great driving record either, so it looks like I'll be S.O.L. until I'm 21.

Oh, and what's IFT?

 

[Shishkabob]

IFT = Inter Facility Transfer... like nursing home to hospital, or hospital to hospital.

 

[bunkie]

Its also not unheard of for companies to not allow people under 25 to drive.

Really? I think that limit is a bit high. I'm 24 with a spotless driving record, a husband and a family. :glare: Hopefully that's not an issue for the companies I'm going for around here.

 

[Dominion]

Really? I think that limit is a bit high. I'm 24 with a spotless driving record, a husband and a family. :glare: Hopefully that's not an issue for the companies I'm going for around here.

Agreed with that, 21 is a fine limit.

 

[bunkie]

Agreed with that, 21 is a fine limit.

18 to smoke, 21 to drink, 25 to drive an ambulance. :wacko:

 

[TransportJockey]

Yeah, maybe. I know that I'm not a jackass when it comes to driving, but there are a lot of people my age who drive like crap without lights and sirens. I don't have a great driving record either, so it looks like I'll be S.O.L. until I'm 21.

Oh, and what's IFT?

What do you mean not great driving record? If it's too bad that can mean you're SOL for a lot longer than til you turn 21

 

[rpal1211]

What do you mean not great driving record? If it's too bad that can mean you're SOL for a lot longer than til you turn 21

Two wrecks, one at fault one not at fault (if that matters in the insurance companies eyes). Had a speeding ticket, but it should be off my record now since I did deferred payment/defensive driving. So am I screwed?

 

[bunkie]

*I* have no idea, but I'm willing to bet they would want to know the circumstances of the wreck.