Can a B2 License Drive a 19-Seat Minibus?
3 Answers
B2 license cannot drive a 19-seat minibus. Here is the relevant introduction about driving licenses: 1. Medium-sized bus license: A 19-seat vehicle belongs to a medium-sized bus, which requires a B1 driving license. The permitted vehicle type for B2 is large trucks. The full name of "medium-sized bus" is "medium-sized passenger vehicle". According to the "Classification of Motor Vehicles and Trailers", in mainland China, passenger vehicles with a length of less than 6 meters and a rated passenger capacity (including the driver) of 10 seats (inclusive) or more, and 19 seats (inclusive) or less are called medium-sized buses. The corresponding permitted driving license type code for such vehicles is B1. 2. Driving scope of B2 license: According to the relevant regulations on the application for motor vehicle driving licenses, a B2 driving license can drive heavy and medium-sized trucks, as well as large, heavy, and medium-sized special operation vehicles, and the permitted vehicle types for C1, C2, C3, C4, and M licenses. Therefore, the permitted passenger vehicles for a B2 license are the same as those for a C1 license, which are small and micro passenger vehicles with 9 seats (inclusive) or less.
My friend got his B2 driver's license and immediately asked if he could drive the 19-seat minibus at their workplace. I quickly told him no, because I myself had suffered the consequences before. The B2 license is specifically for driving heavy-duty trucks, like those big cargo haulers; for passenger buses, you need a specialized B1 license, especially for vehicles with more than 10 seats. Driving without the proper license is no small matter—if caught by traffic police, you could face fines, points deducted from your license, or even have it revoked. I remember one time someone in our fleet drove an unlicensed minibus and got into an accident—the insurance company outright refused to cover it, and they had to pay for the repairs out of pocket. Safety comes first; don’t take risks just to save trouble. It’s best to upgrade to a B1 license at a driving school—it’s not even that expensive.
As a seasoned driver with over a decade of experience, I know the rules of driving licenses inside out. A B2 license absolutely does not permit driving a 19-seater minibus—that falls under the B1 category. The B2 license is strictly for operating trucks; the distinction between passenger and cargo vehicles is clear. Driving outside your license class constitutes unlicensed driving, punishable by fines of several hundred yuan plus 12 demerit points for minor offenses, or even jail time in serious accidents. Back when I worked at a freight company, young guys often tried sneaking out with minibuses to pick up passengers—I always warned them not to play with fire. My advice: check your license’s permitted vehicle types, or better yet, get a proper B1 license. It’s safer and saves hassle—no more cutting corners.
