Can a C1 driver's license be used to operate a motorized motorcycle?
4 Answers
C1 driver's license does not permit the operation of motorcycles. To ride a motorcycle, the driver must hold a D, E, or F driver's license. A C1 license allows the driver to operate all vehicle types under C2, C3, and C4 classifications. The permitted driving scope of a C1 license includes small and micro passenger vehicles, as well as light and micro cargo vehicles; light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles; and small passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. Vehicles that cannot be driven with a C1 license include: large buses, tractors, urban buses, medium buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery vehicles, trolleybuses, and tramcars. Additionally, a C1 license does not permit driving vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters. C license classifications: C1: Small cars and C2, C3 (vehicles like sedans with fewer than 9 seats are considered small cars); C2: Small automatic transmission cars; C3: Low-speed cargo vehicles and C4; C4: Three-wheeled cars; C5: Small automatic transmission passenger cars specially designed for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with lower limb disabilities, dual lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumbs, or finger end defects).
After driving for twenty years, I finally figured this out - never ride a motorcycle on the road with a C1 license! Our country's traffic regulations are actually very clear: a C1 license only allows you to drive four-wheeled cars and light trucks. If you dare to ride a two-wheeled motor vehicle and get stopped by traffic police, it's considered driving a vehicle type that doesn't match your license. Not only will you get 9 points deducted, but you'll also face a 2,000 yuan fine. My neighbor thought motorcycles were convenient two years ago and almost had his license revoked. If you really want to ride motorcycles, you need to at least get a D or E license - the field test is completely different from cars. Remember, handlebars and steering wheels are two entirely different driving experiences - you can't be careless about safety.
As someone who just got their driver's license, my instructor kept hammering this point: motorcycles require a separate license. Although a C1 license allows you to drive manual transmission cars, riding a motorcycle without the proper endorsement is considered unlicensed driving. I once saw someone at the testing center ask if they could add a motorcycle endorsement to their C1 license, only to get lectured by the examiner for half an hour. Nowadays, traffic police have mobile terminals that can scan your license and instantly know your permitted vehicle types. By the way, even if you have a combined C1E license, it's not enough—you need to specifically take the motorcycle test. This distinction is crucial; mixing them up on the road is just asking for trouble.
Last time when getting my car repaired, I overheard traffic police officers chatting and realized that motorcycles and cars are classified under two separate systems in traffic management. A C1 license only allows you to operate steering wheel vehicles, so to legally ride a motorcycle, you must obtain an additional D or F license. Despite both being motor vehicles, their engine types and control methods are completely different, making professional training essential. If caught riding a motorcycle without the proper license, the minimum penalty is 9 demerit points plus a fine, which is equivalent to losing most of your driving license points—definitely not worth it. Don’t wait until you suffer the consequences to regret it.
