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EMERGENCY SERVICES DRIVING STANDARD

What is ESDS?

ESDS stands for Emergency Services Driving Standard – a driving standard for Emergency services drivers.
It is open to nominated emergency services drivers who work for the following organisations which form the ESDS Panel (who were involved in the development of the standard). Those organisations include:

  • Civil Defence
  • The Irish Coast Guard
  • The Defence Forces
  • An Garda Síochána
  • National Ambulance Service
  • The Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council
  • The Chief Fire Officer’s Association
  • The National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management
  • The Irish Prison Service

What is the purpose of ESDS?

The purpose is to reating a culture of safe and responsible driving is essential for reducing deaths and casualties on Irish roads. The Emergency Services Driving Standard aims to develop and sustain a spirit of cooperation, caution and courtesy in emergency service drivers.

Emergency service drivers should aim to achieve an excellent standard of driving that acts as an example to other road users.

The main aim of this driving standard is to benefit emergency services drivers and other road users by:

  • Reducing the particular risks associated with the driving of emergency service vehicles
  • Making sure that patients and passengers are safe and comfortable
  • Cultivating the attitude that responding to an emergency should never involve actions which could lead to the death or injury of any person.


To become an ESDS Driver


How to become an ESDS driver if you work in an emergency service.

As an emergency service driver you should aim to achieve an exemplary standard of driving that acts as a positive example to other road users.

This will significantly reduce the risks created by driving emergency service vehicles and will benefit you and other road users.

Ambulance

To apply to become a certified ESDS driver you must be nominated by an Emergency Services Organisation that have a current Memorandum of Understanding signed with the Road Safety Authority.

Only drivers eligible to avail of legal exemptions under the Road Traffic Act can undertake ESDS Level 3 training and assessment. 

Each organisation will have an appointed ESDS contact person.

How to become an Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) trainer

The role of ESDS trainers and the steps to becoming one.


ESDS trainers help develop competent emergency service drivers who are fully engaged in the act of driving safely and responsibly in accordance with their roles.  

As an ESDS trainer you will offer each driver: 

  • Clear practical guidance 

  • knowledge of the legal requirements and regulations governing the use of emergency services vehicles  

  • guidance on how their driving impacts other road users

How to become a certified ESDS trainer 


If you work in an ESDS participating organisation, there are three steps to becoming a certified ESDS trainer: 


  1. Your emergency services organisation nominates you to become an in-house ESDS trainer

  2. You successfully complete a relevant trainer theory test and practical training workshop

  3. You are registered with the Road Safety Authority in a specific level and category



If you wish to obtain trainer certification, consult with the ESDS contact person in your organisation.

Elite Diiving Academy provides ESDS driver training for Car (Cat B), Jeep & Trailer (Cat BE), Truck (Cat C), Ambulance (Cat C1) and Bus (Cat D) in both ESDS Level 1 & ESDS Level 2.
Level 3 training conducted within the relevant organisation. 

If you would like information on ESDS driver training you can contact us by email esds@elitedriving.ie.

Click on the link to find an ESDS Trainer in your province

Emergency Services Driving Standard (ESDS) resources

Helpful information and documents if you want to become an ESDS driver, trainer or assessor. 

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