Can a beginner directly apply for a Class A driver's license?
3 Answers
You can only directly apply for an A3 license. For A1 and A2 licenses, you must upgrade your existing license. To upgrade to an A2 license, you need to have held a B1 or B2 license for at least 3 years. To upgrade to an A1 license, you need to have held an A3, B1, or B2 license for at least 5 years. Additional information: Below is an introduction to applying for a motor vehicle driver's license: 1. Initial application for a motor vehicle driver's license: You can apply for licenses covering urban buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, three-wheeled cars, small automatic transmission cars for the disabled, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. 2. For those who already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and wish to add additional vehicle classes: You can apply for licenses covering large passenger vehicles, tractors, urban buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams.
As someone quite familiar with automotive regulations, I think it's basically hopeless for beginners to directly go for a Class A license. A Class A license refers to the type required for driving large buses, and according to regulations, you must first have a small car license like a Class C and drive for several years before applying for an upgrade. Beginners with no experience pose too high a risk when operating large vehicles—they could easily lose control of the steering or experience brake failure, greatly increasing the chance of accidents. I've seen the process at driving schools: beginners are outright rejected and must start with a Class C license. Only after accumulating thousands of kilometers of driving experience in small cars and becoming familiar with road conditions and basic operations should they consider taking the test for larger vehicles. Don't rush to achieve everything at once—safety comes first. Otherwise, an accident could harm both yourself and others, leading to devastating losses. Moreover, the test for large vehicles is complex, and beginners without foundational skills simply won't pass.
I've been driving for over ten years, working my way up from a Class C license to a Class A license. New drivers wanting to directly obtain a Class A license? No way! I remember when I first started driving, even handling a small car was a struggle. Large buses require extra caution with braking and turning—how could a beginner possibly have that kind of feel? Regulations require getting a Class C license first, then driving for at least three years before upgrading to a Class A license. When I helped train people at the driving school, I often saw beginners fail immediately during the test. Large vehicles may offer better visibility, but they're harder to operate—new drivers tend to misjudge distances or speeds, and even a minor mistake can lead to costly repairs. My advice to beginners: don’t rush. Start with a Class C license, get plenty of road practice, and only move up once you’re comfortable. Take it step by step—it’s both cost-effective and safer.
