Can a C1 license be upgraded to a B2 license?
3 Answers
C1 license holders can upgrade to a B2 license after one year, and to a B1 license after three years. The upgrade can only be processed at the local household registration location. The B2 license also permits driving the following vehicle types: C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery), which is the same as the B1 license. Requirements for upgrading from a C1 to a B2 driver's license: Age between 20 and 60 years old; height not less than 155cm; holding a C1 driver's license for more than one year; no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the current scoring cycle or the most recent scoring cycle before application; visual acuity must meet or exceed 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart; no record of drunk driving or being primarily responsible for a traffic accident causing casualties while holding a C1 license.
I specialize in researching driving license policies, and it's true that you can upgrade from C1 to B2. There are several key requirements: first, you must be at least 20 years old and no older than 60. Then, your current C1 license must have been held for at least one year, and you must not have accumulated 12 penalty points during that year. When applying, you'll need to retake all the tests, from Theory Test (Subject 1) to Road Test (Subject 4). The exam content is much stricter than for C1, especially the truck reverse parking in Subject 2, which really tests your skills. I recommend enrolling in a reputable local driving school for training, with costs ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 yuan. If you pass the exams successfully, your new license will be upgraded to B2, allowing you to drive small trucks for transport jobs. My neighbor just successfully upgraded last month and now earns an extra 200 yuan per day doing freight transport. Remember to bring your ID card, medical examination form, and other required documents to the DMV counter when applying. The entire process takes at least two to three months, so plan your time accordingly if you have a busy work schedule.
Last year, I successfully upgraded my license to a B2, and the whole process was quite demanding. First, the eligibility criteria are clear: you must be at least 20 years old, hold a C1 license for a full 12 months with no more than 11 demerit points—absolutely no full-point violations. The registration fee varies widely by location; here, it cost me 8,000 yuan. The test is much harder than the C1, with 16 items in the second subject alone, and hill starts are prone to rolling back or stalling. Training required five hours daily for two full months. A key reminder: the probation period after upgrading is critical—if you accumulate over 6 demerit points within 12 months of receiving the new license, it will be revoked. Now, having a B2 is incredibly convenient; driving light trucks for cargo is no issue, and occasionally doing short hauls for logistics companies easily brings in over 10,000 yuan monthly. Of course, operating costs are higher—larger vehicles consume about 5 liters more fuel per 100 km. If you're planning to upgrade, I recommend starting training at least three months in advance.
