Section 2512.

(a) The commissioner, after consultation with, and pursuant to the recommendations of, the Emergency Medical Service Authority and the department, shall adopt and enforce reasonable regulations as the commissioner determines are necessary for the public health and safety regarding the operation, equipment, and certification of drivers of all ambulances used for emergency services. The regulations shall not conflict with standards established by the Emergency Medical Service Authority pursuant to Section 1797.170 of the Health and Safety Code. The commissioner shall exempt, upon request of the county board of supervisors that an exemption is necessary for public health and safety, noncommercial ambulances operated within the county from the regulations adopted under this section as are specified in the board of supervisors' request. The Emergency Medical Service Authority shall be notified by the county boards of supervisors of any exemptions.

(b) The department, in cooperation with the Department of the California Highway Patrol and the Emergency Medical Service Authority, may adopt and administer regulations relating to the issuance, suspension, or revocation of ambulance driver's certificates. In addition to the fee authorized in Section 2427, the department shall charge a fee of twenty-five dollars ($25) for the issuance of an original certificate and twelve dollars ($12) for the renewal of that certificate, and, in the administration thereof, to exercise the powers granted to the commissioner by this section.

(c) This section shall not preclude the adoption of more restrictive regulations by local authorities, except that inspection of ambulances pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 2510 shall not be duplicated by local authorities. It is the intent of the Legislature that regulations adopted by the commissioner pursuant to this section shall be the minimum necessary to protect public health and safety, and shall not be so restrictive as to preclude compliance by ambulances operated in sparsely populated areas. This subdivision does not relieve the owner or driver of any ambulance from compliance with Section 21055.

(d) The Department of the California Highway Patrol after consultation with the department and the Emergency Medical Service Authority shall prepare, and make available for purchase, an ambulance driver's handbook.

(Amended by Stats. 1996, Ch. 440, Sec. 5. Effective January 1, 1997.)