# COMAR Title 11 — Department of Transportation

## Subtitle 17 — Motor Vehicle Administration — Driver Licensing and Identification Documents

### Chapter 20 — Emergency Vehicle — Requirements for Certain License Exemptions

**Authority:** Transportation Article, §§12-104(b) and 16-102, Annotated Code of Maryland

**Administrative History:** Effective date: November 10, 2003 (30:22 Md. R. 1583)

#### Regulation .01 Purpose.

*COMAR 11.17.20.01*

The purpose of this chapter is to establish the training and testing requirements to qualify emergency vehicle drivers of Maryland fire department, rescue squad, emergency medical services unit or volunteer fire company emergency vehicles that are exempt from certain driver licensing requirements as authorized under Transportation Article §16-102(a)(12), Annotated Code of Maryland.

#### Regulation .02 Definitions.

*COMAR 11.17.20.02*

A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

B. Terms Defined.

  (1) “Administration” means the Motor Vehicle Administration.

  (2) “Emergency vehicle” means a commercial motor vehicle that is:

    (a) Owned or operated by a Maryland fire and rescue organization;

    (b) Authorized and used for emergency or rescue purposes; and

    (c) Exempt from the Class A and B licensing requirements as authorized under Transportation Article, §16-102(a)(12), Annotated Code of Maryland.

  (3) “Emergency vehicle operator” is a member or employee of a Maryland fire and rescue organization that is authorized to operate an emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.

  (4) “Emergency vehicle operator card” means a card:

    (a) Approved by the Administration;

    (b) Issued by the designated officer having jurisdiction for the Maryland fire and rescue organization; and

    (c) Certifying that an individual:

      (i) Has successfully completed an approved emergency vehicle operator training course; and

      (ii) Is qualified to operate an emergency vehicle.

  (5) “Emergency vehicle operator course” means an emergency vehicle training and testing course approved by the Maryland Fire and Rescue Education and Training Commission to train, test, and qualify individuals as emergency vehicle operators.

  (6) “Fire and rescue organization” means a Maryland fire department, rescue squad, emergency medical services unit, or volunteer fire company that is authorized to operate emergency vehicles for fire and rescue purposes.

#### Regulation .03 Emergency Vehicle Operator.

*COMAR 11.17.20.03*

A. To qualify for an emergency vehicle operator card and an exemption from the Class A and B licensing requirements as authorized under Transportation Article, §16-102(a)(12), Annotated Code of Maryland, an emergency vehicle operator shall:

  (1) Possess a valid Maryland Class C driver's license or a valid equivalent driver's license from another jurisdiction;

  (2) Possess a certification of the successful completion of an approved emergency vehicle operator course; and

  (3) Obtain authorization from a designated officer having jurisdiction for the Maryland fire and rescue organization to operate an emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties.

B. For 1- year period beginning October 1, 2003, an emergency vehicle operator is eligible to receive an emergency vehicle operator card without complying with the requirements of §A(2) of this regulation if the emergency vehicle operator possesses a valid:

  (1) Maryland Class A or B driver's license; or

  (2) Equivalent driver's license from another jurisdiction that authorizes the operation of an emergency vehicle.

C. When operating an emergency vehicle, an emergency vehicle operator exempt under Transportation Article, §16-102(a)(12), Annotated Code of Maryland, shall possess a valid:

  (1) Maryland Class C driver's license or a valid equivalent driver's license from another jurisdiction; and

  (2) Emergency vehicle operator card.

D. An emergency vehicle operator authorized by a designated officer having jurisdiction for the Maryland fire and rescue organization may operate an emergency vehicle in the performance of official duties if the emergency vehicle operator possesses a valid:

  (1) Maryland Class A or B driver's license; or

  (2) Equivalent driver's license from another jurisdiction.

#### Regulation .04 Emergency Vehicle Operator Training Course.

*COMAR 11.17.20.04*

The designated officer of an approved emergency vehicle operator training course shall:

A. Issue a written certification to individuals who successfully complete an approved emergency vehicle operator training course; and

B. Maintain records of all individuals who successfully complete an approved emergency vehicle operator's training course.

#### Regulation .05 Requirements of Emergency Fire and Rescue Organization.

*COMAR 11.17.20.05*

The designated officer having jurisdiction for the Maryland fire and rescue organization that operates emergency vehicles under that organization's jurisdiction shall:

A. Issue emergency vehicle operator cards to individuals qualified to operate emergency vehicles under Regulation .03 of this chapter; and

B. Maintain the records of:

  (1) All emergency vehicle operators authorized to operate vehicles under the organization's jurisdiction; and

  (2) The types of emergency vehicle they are authorized to drive.

#### Regulation .06 Penalties for Noncompliance.

*COMAR 11.17.20.06*

Failure to comply with this chapter is a misdemeanor under the Transportation Article, §16-102, Annotated Code of Maryland.