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Home My WebLink About105.001 - Driver License Requirements ADMINISTRATIVE MANUAL DEPARTMENT OF MOTOR VEHICLES (DMV) 105.001 DRIVER LICENSE REQUIREMENTS EFFECTIVE: OCTOBER 2017 Current Revision Date: 04/10/20 Next Revision Date: 04/10/22 Author’s Name/Rank: Manuel Graves, Civilian Training Officer Review Level: 1 Administrative Support: Leslie Oulashian, Management Analyst II Section 105.001 Page 1 of 6 PURPOSE The purpose of this policy is to provide members with information regarding driver license requirements set forth by the City of Fresno (City) and the Fresno Fire Department (FFD or Department). APPLICATION Department policy requires all members who may have occasion to drive a City vehicle, drive personal vehicles on City business, or are required by minimum qualification, to possess a current, valid, and appropriate State of California driver license. Department-approved driver trainers/evaluators who provide on-the-road training and testing must maintain a Commercial A or Commercial B driver license. OPERATIONAL POLICY As a condition of employment, Department policy mandates all members in the rank of captain, engineer, and firefighter will possess, at a minimum, a valid Class C driver license with a Firefighter Endorsement (RSTR 50) issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The license will not have any restriction prohibiting the member from operating fire apparatus. Any change in status of a member’s driver license will be immediately reported to their supervisor and the Personnel Chief. In accordance with California Labor Code, Section 231 any employer who requires an employee to have a driver license as a condition of employment, will pay the cost of any physical examination of the employee, which may be required for issuance of such license, except where the physical examination was taken prior to the time the employee applied for such employment with the employer. Section 115.001 Page 2 of 6 Members are to contact the Training Division to schedule medical exam appointments when utilizing City-contracted medical facilities. Members may elect to utilize their own doctor, in which case the member will be reimbursed up to $45 for the cost of the physical. Physical exams shall be scheduled off-duty and allotted one hour of overtime. Members who lose their driving privilege due to suspension for a period of 30 days or less will be placed on leave using accrued leave until such time the member’s license is reinstated for purposes of employment. If a member does not have sufficient leave balance to cover the suspension period, the member will be placed on leave without pay until the driver license requirement is met. Any member who is subject to the provisions noted above due to the suspension of a driver license will not be eligible to work shift replacement nor participate in Absent with Relief pursuant to the provisions contained in the Memorandum of Understanding. Any disciplinary action taken in regards to driver license suspension will be in accordance with City Administrative Order 2-14, Guide to Corrective Action. Note: Suspension of a driver license secondary to medical issues will be handled on a case-by-case review. 1. Commercial Class A, B, and C Driver License Holders: a. All Department members with a commercial Class A or Class B license who successfully pass a commercial medical examination, will submit to DMV a valid (original or copy) federal Medical Examination Report (MER) Form, MCSA-5875, and a valid (original or copy) federal Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) Form, MCSA-5876 when applying for a California Driver License (CDL) or updating an existing medical expiration date. The medical examiner will complete and sign a MEC for members to carry when driving commercially. b. The MER and MEC forms must be dated within the last two years. Members could be given a citation for driving out of class if found driving with an expired MEC. c. Members will ensure completed MER and MEC forms are mailed to the address below at least four weeks prior to the expiration of previous medical form or the privilege to drive commercial motor vehicles could become invalid. Department of Motor Vehicles CDL Unit, G204 P.O. Box 944278 Sacramento, CA 94244-2780 Section 115.001 Page 3 of 6 2. Non-commercial, Class A, B, and C Firefighter Driver License Holders: a. Members holding a Non-commercial Class A, B, and C firefighter endorsed license will submit a valid (original or copy) Health Questionnaire (DL 546) to the DMV every two years. Members will answer each question and explain any “Yes” answer(s) in the space provided on the bottom of the form, or on another piece of paper. Members are to contact a physician if assistance is needed. 3. New Members: a. Newly hired firefighter trainees will receive Department paid driver training, testing, and licensing on duty while attending Recruit Academy. The training will be administered by the Training Division and consists of classroom instruction and practice driving skill sufficient to qualify the trainee for a Class C driver license with a Firefighter Endorsement. As a minimum requirement of employment, trainees will receive and maintain a license. 4. Notifications: a. Beginning 90 days prior to expiration, members will be alerted of upcoming driver license expiration date through notifications posted to the member’s FFD Training/Learning Management System account. b. Members are directed to upload updated copies of all DMV paperwork, including the MEC, Form MCSA-5876, interim licenses, and permanent licenses when received to the appropriate Learning Management System (LMS), Self-Assign Activity in TargetSolutions: i. DMV Credential - Driver License Tracking ii. DMV Credential - Medical Examiner’s Certificate (MEC), Form MCSA-5876 Tracking. c. Members are no longer required to submit the Health Questionnaire DL 546 to the Training Division. 5. Periodic Review: The Training Division will be responsible for the Department driver license program. A designated unit member will periodically review DMV documentation and will immediately notify the Personnel Chief any time a member’s driver license does not meet the required criteria. Section 115.001 Page 4 of 6 OPERATIONAL GUIDELINE This section left intentionally blank. PROCESS 1. Steps to upgrade from a Non-commercial A, B, or C Firefighter license to a Commercial Class A or B driver license: License holders are required to submit to DMV a completed Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C) and valid (original or copy) federal MER and MEC when applying for a CDL or updating an existing medical expiration date. a. DMV process is as follows: Members are directed to call (559) 445-5013 to make an appointment with the DMV Commercial Driving Test Office, located at 735 East North Avenue, Fresno, 93725. Upon arrival at the DMV Commercial Driving Test Office to upgrade a driver license, members will be required to submit a completed Commercial Driver License Application (DL 44C) and valid (original or copy) federal MER and MEC signed by a physician. Members will be required to pass the firefighters Commercial Driver License Knowledge Test and all applicable written tests. If upgrading a Non-commercial firefighter B or firefighter Class C driver license to a Commercial Class A driver license, a Commercial Class A drive test will be required along with all the current commercial written testing requirements. If upgrading a Non-commercial firefighter B driver license to a Commercial Class B driver license, the drive test will be waived. If upgrading a basic firefighter Class C to an Unrestricted Commercial B, a Commercial Class B drive test will be required along with all the current commercial written testing requirements. An interim Commercial Class A or B driver license will be issued by DMV. Members must verify driver license Section 115.001 Page 5 of 6 paperwork reflects a RSTR 50 before leaving the DMV field office. If DMV representatives do not follow the direction provided within this policy, license holders are encouraged to request assistance during the DMV appointment by contacting Kim Tovar at (916) 657-8209 of the DMV Commercial Policy Unit in Sacramento. Note: DMV representatives may request a signed letter of Firefighter Employment & Training Verification. Non- commercial, Class A or Class B driver license holders have a comment posted on their DMV record indicating Firefighter Endorsements are valid and a signed letter of Firefighter Employment & Training Verification does not need to be submitted. 2. Steps to obtain a Non-commercial Class A, Class B, Or Class C Firefighter Driver License: License holders are required to submit a Driver License or Identification Card Application form (DL 44) and a completed Health Questionnaire (DL 546) dated not more than two years prior to the date of application. a. DMV process is as follows: Upon arrival at the DMV office to change/downgrade a driver license, members will be required to submit the original, completed Health Questionnaire (DL 546). Members must verify the driver license paperwork reflects a RSTR 50 before leaving the DMV field office. If DMV representatives do not follow the direction provided within this policy, license holders are encouraged to request assistance during the DMV appointment by contacting Kim Tovar at (916) 657-8209 of the DMV Commercial Policy Unit in Sacramento. Note: DMV representatives may request a signed letter of Firefighter Employment & Training Verification. Non- commercial, Class A or Class B driver license holders have a comment posted on their DMV record, indicating firefighter endorsements are valid and a signed letter of Firefighter Employment & Training Verification does not need to be submitted. Section 115.001 Page 6 of 6 DEFINITIONS This section intentionally left blank. CROSS-REFERENCES California Labor Code, Section 231 Administrative Order Section 2-14, Guide to Corrective Action. Administrative Manual Section 101.3, Transfer Policy Standard Operating Procedures Manual Section 207.1, General Guidelines Department of Motor Vehicle Forms MCSA-5875, Medical Examination Report (MER) Form MCSA-5876, Medical Examiner's Certificate (MEC) Form DL 546, Health Questionnaire