Healthcare transportation in France relies on two pillars: the ambulance and the light medical vehicle (VSL). The VSL driver ensures the transport of patients in a seated position to care facilities, based on medical prescription. Becoming a VSL taxi driver requires navigating between two distinct regulatory frameworks, that of healthcare transportation and that of taxis, with training and approvals that do not always overlap.
Dual role as taxi and VSL: two regulatory blocks to coordinate
The term “taxi VSL” can be confusing because it merges two professions governed by different regulations. The VSL driver falls under the public health code and healthcare transportation regulations. The taxi driver falls under the transport code and must obtain a professional card issued by the prefecture after a specific examination.
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A taxi contracted by the CPAM can perform healthcare transportation in addition to regular fares. In contrast, a VSL driver working for a healthcare transport company (ETS) only transports patients. Both statuses require distinct and non-interchangeable training.
In practical terms, aiming for dual activity involves separately validating the auxiliary ambulance driver training (for the VSL) and the taxi examination (for the professional card). Those wishing to find information on VSL taxi training on Tous un Job can check the coordination between these two paths according to their professional project.
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Auxiliary ambulance driver training and AFGSU: the real pathway in two stages
The auxiliary ambulance driver training forms the foundation for driving a VSL. It covers patient care, hygiene, risk prevention, and first aid skills. Articles presenting this training as a quick career change omit a crucial detail.
Most training centers now require the validation of AFGSU level 1 before entering auxiliary ambulance driver training. AFGSU 2 (certificate of training in emergency care level 2) is then awarded at the end of the course. The candidate thus goes through two successive certification stages in emergency skills, which extends the timeline and budget.
What AFGSU level 2 covers
This module goes beyond basic first aid. It trains for vital emergencies in the context of healthcare transportation: using a defibrillator, administering oxygen, managing a patient in respiratory distress. Without AFGSU 2, no auxiliary ambulance driver certificate is issued.
The auxiliary ambulance driver training program also includes a section on healthcare transportation regulations, ergonomics (patient handling), and hygiene rules applicable in a VSL. The entire program results in a certificate, not a state diploma, a distinction that is important for the continuation of the pathway.
Access conditions for the VSL driver profession: license, medical fitness, and vaccinations
Even before enrolling in training, several administrative and medical prerequisites must be met. Here is the list of conditions to fulfill:
- Be the holder of a category B driving license for at least three years (or two years in the case of validated accompanied driving).
- Obtain a medical fitness certificate issued by a doctor approved by the prefecture, certifying that the health condition is compatible with patient transport.
- Be up to date with mandatory vaccinations for healthcare professionals, particularly against hepatitis B, in accordance with the requirements of the public health code.
- Have a criminal record compatible with the practice of the profession (verification of bulletin no. 2).
The medical fitness certificate is not a simple routine visit. The approved doctor assesses vision, hearing, physical abilities, and the absence of pathologies incompatible with professional driving. This certificate must be renewed periodically to maintain the authorization to practice.
Healthcare approval and registration with the prefecture: steps after training
Obtaining the auxiliary ambulance driver certificate is not enough to practice. The healthcare transport company employing the VSL driver must itself hold an approval issued by the Regional Health Agency (ARS). This approval pertains to the structure, not the individual.
The VSL driver must be listed among the declared staff with the ARS, along with their training and medical fitness documents. In the event of an inspection, the absence of even one document can lead to the suspension of the company’s approval.
Independent VSL or employee: two distinct realities
The employee works for an ETS that manages the approval, fleet, and relationship with the CPAM. The independent driver must create their own structure, obtain their ARS approval, contract with the health insurance fund, and invest in a vehicle that meets health standards.
The independent pathway requires a heavier initial investment and ongoing administrative burdens (monitoring approvals, enhanced technical checks, managing CPAM billing). Field feedback varies on actual profitability depending on geographic areas, particularly between densely populated urban sectors and rural areas where the demand for healthcare transportation may be higher but the trips longer.
State diploma of ambulance driver: the bridge to career advancement
The auxiliary ambulance driver certificate allows for driving a VSL. To drive an ambulance and broaden the scope of intervention, one must aim for the state diploma of ambulance driver (DEA). This diploma at the CAP/BEP level certifies a longer training period, including internships in a hospital setting and an in-depth study of emergency care skills.
Transitioning from VSL to ambulance represents a significant skills upgrade. The DEA also opens the door to regulatory or supervisory positions within an ETS.
- The DEA is accessible through initial training or through the validation of acquired experience (VAE) after several years of practice as an auxiliary ambulance driver.
- Some employers fund the DEA training of their VSL drivers as part of the skills development plan.
- The holder of the DEA can work both in an ambulance and in a VSL, whereas the auxiliary ambulance driver is limited to driving the VSL.
The healthcare transportation sector is regularly recruiting, driven by the aging population and the increase in transports to distant care facilities. The dual competence of taxi and VSL remains an asset, provided one accepts the administrative burden and the two parallel training pathways that it entails.