We provide expert Ambulance Driver Training

From intrinsic gratification to economic benefits, there are many reasons why you should consider becoming an ambulance driver in the UK.

A desire to help

Many individuals enter this profession for the sheer fulfilment of helping those in need during an emergency, offering essential patient care, and making a difference within their local community.

High job satisfaction

Many choose to drive ambulances as each day is different from the next, providing a wide range of challenges, and leading to greater job satisfaction.

Fantastic salaries

Ambulance drivers experience excellent financial rewards – an average ambulance salary can reach £30,000 per year or beyond.

If the prospect of becoming an ambulance driver appeals to you, you’ll need to be a qualified patient transport service driver, paramedic, emergency medical technician, or ambulance care assistant.

You’ll also be required to have excellent driving skills and hold a valid Category C1 licence, which you can find out more about below.

The Category C1 licence (Cat C1) permits you to drive larger vehicles between 3,500kg and 7,500kg within the UK and Europe – ambulances fall under this category, so you need this licence to drive one. 

You’ll need to embark on a practical driving course to earn this qualification. Here at the HGV Training Network, we provide professional ambulance driver training courses at a training centre near you.

Your training will involve both theoretical and practical training, culminating in a selection of theory and subsequent practical tests.

HGV theory tests

The first assessment you’ll need to pass is a theory test, that consists of two sections – a multiple-choice part to test your knowledge and understanding of the rules of the road, and a hazard perception test.

Hazard perception tests are designed to test your awareness and reactions to potential hazards on the road, helping to minimise accidents before they occur. Taking place on a computer, you’ll watch 19 interactive video clips from the driver’s perspective, clicking the screen as soon as a hazard occurs.

The practical test

Just like the standard practical driving test you completed when learning to drive a car, this part of your examination will test your practical driving skills whilst driving a Cat C1 vehicle.

You’ll have to demonstrate abilities such as:

• Hazard perception and awareness
• Emergency response driving
• Defensive driving
• Ambulance controls
• Reversing safely

This exam typically lasts around one hour.

Finally, you’ll also have to earn your Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC qualification) alongside your ambulance driver qualification. This is a legal requirement that can be achieved within  5 days at HGV Training Network.

To enrol on an ambulance driver training course with the HGV Training Network, you’ll need to meet the following criteria:

1. Hold a standard driving licence – You must already hold a standard car licence to start your professional driver training.

2. Be 18 years of age or older

3. Be medically sound – To drive a Cat C1 vehicle, you must pass a medical examination conducted by a doctor, which will ensure your driving ability won’t be compromised by underlying medical conditions. 

As soon as you receive the green light, you’re ready to enrol on one of our training courses.

Ambulance drivers are in high demand due to the growing ambulance demand in the NHS and private healthcare providers. We can help you earn the driving licence that opens the door to rewarding driver roles, with excellent job security.

Due to our recruitment of qualified instructors with impressive pass rates and years of experience driving larger vehicles, you could complete your training and achieve your qualification in as little as five days! Plus, with 50 HGV training centres across the UK, you’re sure to find a location near you.

The HGV Training Network team will manage your admin throughout, including completing forms, booking medicals, tests, and helping you to find your first ambulance driving job alongside our recruitment partner, Blue Arrow.