Can a C1 license be upgraded to an A1 license?
2 Answers
C1 license holders can upgrade to an A1 license after holding a B2 license for 5 years and meeting the following conditions. Upgrading process: After holding a C1 license for one year, you can apply for a B2 license. After holding the B2 license for 5 years, you can then apply for an A1 license. License classifications: A1: Large buses and A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A2: Tractor trucks and B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A3: City buses and C1, C2, C3, C4 B1: Medium-sized buses and C1, C2, C3, C4, M (Medium-sized buses refer to buses with fewer than 19 seats, such as minibuses and vans) B2: Large trucks and C1, C2, C3, C4, M C1: Small cars and C2, C3 (Small cars refer to passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans) C2: Small automatic transmission cars C3: Low-speed trucks and C4 C4: Three-wheeled cars C5: Small automatic transmission passenger cars for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with right lower limb disabilities, lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumb, or finger end defects) D: Regular three-wheeled motorcycles and E E: Regular two-wheeled motorcycles and F F: Light motorcycles M: Wheeled self-propelled machinery N: Trolleybuses P: Trams
When it comes to upgrading from a C1 to an A1 license, as someone who frequently studies traffic regulations, I'd like to share my understanding. In China's driver's license system, C1 is for small passenger cars while A1 is for large buses, and the upgrade can't be done in one step. The policy clearly states: you must first obtain a Class B license, such as a B2 license for large trucks, which typically requires holding a C1 license for a certain period and passing specialized exams. Then, to progress from Class B to A1, you need to hold a Class B license continuously for at least five years, be aged between 26 and 50, and have a clean driving record with no accidents. This phased process is designed to help drivers accumulate experience and prevent risks that could arise from inexperienced drivers directly operating large vehicles. I recommend consulting your local vehicle management office for specific details—each step involves both theoretical and practical exams, which may take considerable time, but safety is the core objective.
