Can a C1 driver's license be used to drive a C2 vehicle?
1 Answers
A C1 driver's license allows driving vehicles classified under C2. According to Appendix 1 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' the vehicle types permitted for a C1 license include small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles. Other permitted vehicle types include C2, C3, and C4. It's important to note that small vehicles are defined as those with a total mass not exceeding 4.5 tons, seating capacity (including the driver) not exceeding 9 people, or a vehicle length under 6 meters. According to Appendix 1 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' the vehicle types permitted for a C2 license are small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles and light and micro automatic transmission cargo vehicles, with no other permitted vehicle types. In simple terms, a C1 license covers both automatic and manual transmission vehicles, whereas a C2 license is limited to automatic transmission vehicles only. Therefore, a C1 license holder can drive C2 vehicles, but a C2 license holder cannot drive C1 vehicles. According to Article 19 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law,' driving a motor vehicle requires legally obtaining a motor vehicle driver's license. Applicants must meet the driving permit conditions set by the public security department under the State Council. Upon passing the examination, the traffic management department of the public security authority will issue the corresponding category of motor vehicle driver's license. Drivers must operate vehicles within the permitted categories specified on their license and must carry their driver's license while driving. It must be clear that both driving without a license and driving a vehicle that does not match the permitted categories on one's license are illegal acts. According to the first provision of the reply from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council in the 'Letter on the Understanding and Application of Certain Legal Provisions in the and Its Implementing Regulations,' driving a vehicle that does not match the permitted categories on one's license is, in nature, equivalent to driving without a license. In terms of penalties, based on the principle of proportionality, it can be treated as driving without a license but with a lighter penalty. Therefore, both driving without a license and driving a vehicle that does not match the permitted categories on one's license are subject to the penalties stipulated in Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the 'Road Traffic Safety Law.' Those who drive without a motor vehicle driver's license, whose license has been revoked, or whose license is temporarily suspended may be fined by the public security traffic management department and may also be detained for up to 15 days.