Can a C1 license be directly upgraded to an A1 license?
2 Answers
A C1 license cannot be directly upgraded to an A1 license; you must first upgrade to a B2 license before upgrading to an A1. According to regulations: 1. You can upgrade to a B2 license if you have held a C1 license for at least one year and have not accumulated 12 penalty points. 2. After obtaining a B2 license, you can upgrade to an A1 license if you have not accumulated 12 penalty points for five consecutive years. A C1 driver's license is a type of license code that permits driving small and micro passenger vehicles, as well as light, micro, and small special-purpose vehicles. An A1 license permits driving large buses with more than 20 passengers, passenger vehicles with a body length exceeding 6 meters, A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized buses), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery).
I've been driving for many years, so I'm quite familiar with this issue. A C1 driver's license is for small vehicles, mainly cars or minivans. An A1 license, on the other hand, is for large buses, meaning you must have it to drive buses or tourist coaches. However, you can't directly upgrade from C1 to A1. The reason is that safety comes first in the rules. Large buses are harder to control and involve higher risks, so there must be an intermediate process. Generally, you need to upgrade to a B-class license first, such as a B1 for medium-sized buses, and gain at least one year of experience before you can apply for the A1 test. The specific steps require consulting the local vehicle management office, as they will provide detailed guidance, including what tests to take and what training courses to add. The entire process takes time to prepare, such as reviewing theory and practicing hands-on skills, all of which are essential. I think this design is reasonable as it protects the safety of both drivers and the public. If you're serious about upgrading, I recommend starting your plan early and not rushing it.
