Can a C1 driver's license be directly upgraded to an A2?
3 Answers
C1 driver's license cannot be directly upgraded to an A2. According to regulations, an A2 driver's license cannot be obtained directly through initial application; it can only be acquired through license upgrade. A C1 driver's license cannot be directly upgraded to an A1 or A2 vehicle type but can directly apply for an upgrade to an A3, B1, or B2 license. A B2 driver's license can be applied for during the initial driver's license test, but the applicant must be at least 20 years old; a B1 driver's license requires an upgrade from a C1 license. The vehicle types permitted by an A2 driver's license include: tractor, medium-sized passenger vehicle, large truck, small car, small automatic transmission car, low-speed cargo vehicle, three-wheeled car, small automatic transmission passenger vehicle for the disabled, and wheeled self-propelled machinery (M).
I have been driving for twenty years, starting with a C1 license. Recently, a friend who works in freight wanted to recruit me to drive a trailer and asked if I could directly upgrade to an A2 license. After checking, it turns out that a C1 license definitely cannot be directly upgraded to an A2. You first need to upgrade to a B2 license, which requires being at least 20 years old, having at least one year of experience with a C1 license, and passing both theoretical and practical exams. After obtaining the B2 license, you must also accumulate three to five years of practical experience driving medium-sized vehicles before you can apply for the A2 exam. Upgrading must be done step by step; you can't just skip levels. Safe driving relies on the accumulation of experience. The whole process takes several years, but I think these rules protect everyone's safety, especially since operating large vehicles carries higher risks and should not be taken lightly.
I just got my C1 driver's license less than a year ago and really want to drive heavy trucks as soon as possible, so I checked online and at driving schools about how to upgrade. I found there's no direct path from C1 to A2—you first need to upgrade to a B-class license like B2, which requires being at least 20 years old, holding a C1 license for at least one year, and then passing the test to drive medium-sized vehicles for three years before qualifying for the A2 exam. The whole process must be followed step by step, and you can't rush it because driving large vehicles requires more skills and safety awareness; otherwise, accidents are more likely to happen. For now, I'm focusing on driving small cars to improve my skills and will plan the next step when the time comes.
