Can a C1 license be directly upgraded to an A1?
4 Answers
C1 license cannot be directly upgraded to A1, because A1 is the highest-level driver's license for passenger vehicles. To upgrade to A1, you must first upgrade to a B license, and then you can upgrade to A1. The prerequisite for upgrading to B1 is to have held a C1 license for more than two years, be between 20 and 60 years old, have no record of 12 penalty points in the last two scoring cycles before application, and have no outstanding traffic violations. According to the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses' (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123) of the People's Republic of China, the following conditions must be met to apply for an upgrade: To apply for an A1 (large passenger vehicle) license, you must have held a B1 (medium passenger vehicle) or B2 (large truck) license for more than five years, or have held a tractor license for more than two years, and have no record of 12 penalty points in the last five consecutive scoring cycles before application. If you hold a B1 or B2 license, you can upgrade to A1 under the following conditions: Have held an A3 or B1 license for more than two years, or a B2 license for more than three years, or an A2 license for more than one year. There should be no record of 12 penalty points in the last three consecutive scoring cycles before application, and the applicant must be between 22 and 60 years old. The A1 license allows driving large passenger vehicles and also permits driving vehicles under A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, and M license categories. A1 license test items: Subject 1: Driving theory test; Subject 2: Road stakes, slope parking and starting, side parking, single-sided bridge crossing, curve driving, right-angle turning, limited-width gate crossing, continuous obstacle crossing, bumpy road driving, narrow road U-turn, simulated highway, continuous winding mountain road, tunnel, rain (fog) weather, slippery road, emergency handling—16 items in total; Subject 3: Preparing to get on the car, starting, driving straight, gear shifting, lane changing, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning left at intersections, turning right at intersections, crossing pedestrian crossings, passing school zones, passing bus stops, picking up passengers, overtaking, U-turns, night driving. Local authorities may also add driving test content for complex roads such as mountainous areas, tunnels, and steep slopes based on actual conditions. Finally, there is a test on safe and civilized driving knowledge; Subject 4: Theory test.
I used to drive small cars and got a C1 driver's license. Later, I wanted to drive large buses and tried to upgrade to an A1 license, but was told it wasn't allowed. Jumping directly from C1 to A1 is not permitted because the A1 license is for operating large buses, which has high requirements and must be achieved step by step. You need to first upgrade to a B-class license, such as B1 or B2, to gain experience driving medium-sized vehicles. Then, after a certain period, usually several years after obtaining the B-class license, you can apply to upgrade to A1. There's also a mandatory requirement that you must be at least 26 years old. Later, I asked at a driving school, and they suggested starting with upgrading to a B2 license to learn how to drive large trucks. Only after mastering the skills can you safely upgrade to A1, to avoid accidents due to operational errors. This process can't be rushed; you have to follow the traffic laws and not try to save time, otherwise, you won't even pass the exams.
As someone who frequently helps friends learn to drive, I know the gap between C1 and A1 is significant, and you really can't directly upgrade your license. Regulations are regulations: to apply for an A1 license, you must be at least 26 years old and have held a B1 or B2 license for a certain number of years—for example, five years after obtaining a B2. You'll need to retake the exams, including both theory and practical tests, with a focus on large vehicle driving techniques. If you want to simplify the process, directly consult your local vehicle management office. They can help you plan the upgrade path, and it's recommended to first obtain a B1 license as a transitional step. Safety comes first—large buses are difficult to handle, and lack of experience can easily lead to accidents, so learning step by step is the right way. Time-wise, expect it to take about six months to a year, but it's a worthwhile investment.
I've tried applying for an additional license, but you can't directly upgrade from C1 to A1 due to strict regulations. You must meet age and license type requirements: be at least 26 years old, first upgrade from C1 to a Class B license, such as B2, to gain experience driving large trucks. Then wait a few years before upgrading to A1. The process can't be skipped to avoid significant safety risks. It's recommended to check official documents or consult a driving school.
