Can a C1 Driver's License Operate Agricultural Vehicles?
2 Answers
C1 driver's license cannot operate agricultural vehicles. The C-class driver's license (small vehicles) is specifically divided into four types: C1, C2, C3, and C4. Among them, C1 is for manual transmission small vehicles; C2 is for automatic transmission small vehicles; C3 and C4 cover small trucks, three-wheeled motorcycles, four-wheeled agricultural transport vehicles, three-wheeled agricultural transport vehicles, and other permitted vehicle types. Agricultural vehicles generally require a C3 license. Vehicles permitted under a C1 driver's license include: small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles; light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles; small passenger vehicles with seating capacity of 9 or fewer. Vehicles with seating capacity under 9 and cargo vehicles with a length not exceeding 6 meters can be driven by C1 license holders.
When I passed my C1 driver's license, I thought it would allow me to drive all kinds of vehicles, including seemingly simple ones like farm vehicles. But upon checking, I realized that wasn't the case at all. The C1 license only permits driving small passenger cars, passenger vehicles with fewer than nine seats, or light-duty trucks with blue license plates, with a total mass not exceeding 4.5 tons. Farm vehicles like tractors and harvesters fall under special categories and require a specialized G license or tractor certification. Once, while helping a relative with farm work, I tried driving their tractor, only to be stopped midway and fined 200 yuan. Later, I heard about accidents involving unauthorized operation of farm vehicles, like rollovers causing injuries, where insurance didn't cover the damages. Safety is no joke—strict regulations are in place to prevent inexperienced drivers from handling heavy machinery without adequate skills. Now, I've learned my lesson: before driving any vehicle, I always check the permitted driving scope on the vehicle management office's website instead of relying on assumptions. Taking extra time to prepare is always better than regretting later. After all, driving on the road affects not just yourself but also others' lives, so being cautious is the right approach.