Can a C1 Driving License Drive a Business Vehicle?
2 Answers
A C1 driving license can drive a business vehicle. The C1 license allows driving manual or automatic small passenger vehicles, minivans, and business vehicles with 9 seats or fewer (including 9 seats). It also permits driving vehicles under the C2, C3, and C4 license categories. Vehicles that a C1 license cannot drive include large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, regular three-wheeled motorcycles, regular two-wheeled motorcycles, and light motorcycles. A business vehicle, also known as a multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), combines the functions of a sedan, station wagon, and van. Each seat in the vehicle can be adjusted, and there are various combinations available, such as folding down the backrest of the middle row seats to create a table or rotating the front seats 180 degrees.
After driving for so many years, I can confirm that a C1 driver's license indeed allows you to drive most commercial vehicles, such as common 7-seater or 9-seater MPVs like the Buick GL8 or Toyota Alphard. The key points are that the vehicle must not exceed 9 seats (including the driver) and have a total mass under 4.5 tons. If the vehicle type exceeds these limits, such as oversized buses, then a C1 license won’t suffice. I often drive company commercial vehicles for deliveries and find it quite convenient, but it’s essential to check the vehicle manual to confirm the seating capacity. When driving, always avoid overloading, follow traffic rules, and prioritize safety. Long-term negligence may result in penalty points or fines, so I recommend consulting the DMV to verify your license coverage before purchasing a vehicle to avoid unnecessary trouble.
