Can a C1 driver's license drive a 9-seater vehicle?
2 Answers
C1 driver's license can drive a 9-seater vehicle. A C1 driver's license allows driving light and small trucks with a total mass below 4500kg and a vehicle length under 6 meters. Both conditions must be met simultaneously; exceeding any one of the regulations means the vehicle cannot be driven. A C1 license does not permit driving large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, or tramcars. The vehicle types permitted by a C1 license include small cars, micro passenger vehicles, as well as light and micro trucks and specialized operation vehicles; C2 allows driving small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles and light and micro automatic transmission trucks; C3 permits driving low-speed trucks; and C4 allows driving three-wheeled vehicles.
To be honest, I can understand this confusion because a C1 driver's license does allow you to drive 9-seater vehicles. The regulations state that small passenger vehicles with no more than 9 seats—including the driver—fall within the scope of a C1 license. This means vehicles like minivans or family MPVs with nine seats are perfectly legal to drive. Other vehicle conditions, such as a total weight not exceeding 4,500 kg and a length not exceeding 6 meters, are also typically standard for 9-seaters. I've driven one for commuting before, and it felt quite handy—just make sure not to accidentally drive a 10-seater, which would require upgrading to a B1 license for safety. If you're unsure about the seating capacity, it's best to check the vehicle's nameplate or manual—safety first.
