Can a 9-seater minivan be driven with a C1 license?
2 Answers
9-seater minivans can be driven with a C1 license. Below is relevant information about the C1 driver's license: 1. Introduction: The C1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driving licenses. The examination includes four subjects: traffic regulations and related knowledge, field driving, road driving, and safe and civilized driving common sense. 2. Driving requirements: According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," the scope of vehicles that can be driven with a C1 license includes small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles; light, small, and micro special operation vehicles; and small passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. According to these standards, a C1 license cannot be used to drive vehicles with more than 9 seats. Vehicles that cannot be driven with a C1 license include: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams.
I just passed my C1 driver's license test and tried driving a 9-seater minivan soon after. Legally, this is completely within the permitted scope since C1 is specifically for small passenger vehicles, as long as the seating capacity doesn't exceed 9. That time, a group of friends and I went out for a trip in a minivan that happened to have exactly 9 seats. I found the steering wheel light and easy to handle, but the blind spots were large when turning, especially when parking in the city, which made it prone to bumps and scrapes. I recommend beginners start with a 5-seater to build confidence first. The driving test subjects emphasize vehicle size classification, and C1 only covers light vehicles with a total mass under 4.5 tons, making minivans a perfect fit. When driving normally, don't overload the seating capacity, as it's not only high-risk but also illegal. Overall, driving this type of vehicle is convenient for group outings, and there's no issue with the license matching.
