Can a C1 License Drive a Three-Wheeled Vehicle?

[DeAllie]

A C1 driver's license allows the holder to drive three-wheeled vehicles. According to Appendix 1 of China's "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," which outlines the permitted vehicle types and corresponding codes, the scope of a C1 license includes small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light, small, and micro specialized operation vehicles. Additionally, a C1 license permits the holder to drive vehicles allowed under C2, C3, and C4 licenses, such as automatic transmission small cars, light and micro automatic transmission cargo vehicles, low-speed cargo vehicles, and three-wheeled vehicles. Small cars are defined as those with a total mass of less than 4.5 tons, seating no more than 9 people, and a length under 6 meters. There are several common misconceptions about what vehicles a C1 license can drive: Misconception 1: All sedans can be driven. A C1 license does not permit driving all sedans. For example, extended models like Lincoln and Maybach (which typically require yellow license plates in China) may resemble sedans, but according to China's motor vehicle classification standards, vehicles exceeding 6 meters in length require an A1 license. Besides length restrictions, passenger capacity is also limited. For instance, some vehicles may be under 6 meters in length but have a capacity of 12 passengers, which a C1 license does not cover. Misconception 2: Motorcycles can be ridden. Riding a motorcycle requires a specialized license. To legally ride a motorcycle, the holder of a C1 license must obtain additional endorsements for motorcycle operation, such as a D (three-wheeled motorcycle), E (standard motorcycle), or F (light motorcycle) license. Misconception 3: RVs can be driven. China has no specific licensing standards for RVs, so the required license is determined by the RV's length and passenger capacity, corresponding to A1, B1, or C1 licenses. Only RVs under 6 meters in length, with a total mass under 4.5 tons and seating fewer than 9 people, can be driven with a C1 license. According to the "Regulations on Motor Vehicle Driver's License Services" issued by the public security department, China implements a tiered licensing system, dividing licenses into 15 categories: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. The permitted vehicle types for each license category are as follows: A1 license: Large passenger vehicles. A2 license: Tractor trailers, heavy and medium full trailers, and semi-trailer combinations. A3 license: City buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers. B1 license: Heavy passenger vehicles. B2 license: Heavy and medium cargo vehicles, etc. C1 license: Small and micro passenger vehicles, etc. C2 license: Small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles, etc. C3 license: Low-speed cargo vehicles (formerly four-wheel agricultural transport vehicles). C4 license: Three-wheeled vehicles (formerly three-wheel agricultural transport vehicles). D license: Three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement exceeding 50ml. E license: Two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement exceeding 50ml. F license: Motorcycles with an engine displacement of 50ml or less. M license: Wheeled self-propelled machinery. N license: Trolleybuses. P license: Tramways. According to Article 19 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," driving a motor vehicle requires a valid driver's license. Applicants must meet the licensing conditions set by the public security authorities and pass the required tests to obtain the appropriate license. Drivers must operate vehicles within the scope of their license and carry their license while driving. It is important to note that both driving without a license and driving a vehicle not covered by one's license are illegal. As clarified in the first provision of the reply from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council regarding the interpretation and application of the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and its implementing regulations, driving a vehicle not covered by one's license is considered equivalent to driving without a license. Penalties for such offenses are based on the principle of proportionality and may be slightly mitigated compared to unlicensed driving. Both offenses fall under Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law," which stipulates that driving without a valid license, or during a period of license suspension or revocation, may result in fines imposed by traffic authorities and up to 15 days of detention.

[SanEmersyn]

As someone who has driven cars for many years, I've seen many fellow drivers try to use a C1 license to operate a tricycle, only to run into trouble. The C1 license is specifically for driving small passenger cars with a total mass not exceeding 4.5 tons. Tricycles come in various types, and ordinary tricycles require a specialized D or E license because their design differs from cars, with more complex handling that can easily lead to rollovers or loss of control. I know a guy named Xiao Li who used his C1 license to drive a farm tricycle for deliveries, thinking it was no big deal. But one time, he overturned while turning on a slippery road, injuring himself, and when the traffic police arrived, they penalized him with fines and points. Safety first—never take the risk. If you want to drive a tricycle, go to a driving school and get a D license; the test is simple and affordable. Remember, licenses are categorized to reduce accident risks, protecting both yourself and others.