Can a C1 license drive automatic transmission vehicles?
2 Answers
C1 license can drive automatic transmission vehicles. A C1 license allows driving C2, C3, and C4 models. The vehicle types permitted under a C1 license include small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles; light and micro special purpose vehicles; small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles and light and micro automatic transmission cargo vehicles; low-speed cargo vehicles and three-wheeled vehicles. Permitted vehicle types for C1 license: The driving scope of a C1 license includes small and micro passenger vehicles and light and micro cargo vehicles; light, small, and micro special purpose vehicles; small passenger vehicles with seating capacity not exceeding 9 people. Vehicles that a C1 license cannot drive: Large buses, tractors, city buses, medium buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Additionally, a C1 license cannot drive vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters.
When I was a driving instructor, this question came up all the time. A C1 license does allow you to drive automatic transmission cars, as small automatic vehicles are included in the permitted vehicle types. Just remind beginners not to get confused: it's fine to drive automatics with a C1 license, but students who obtained a C2 license would be driving without authorization if they operate manual transmission cars. Automatics are particularly beginner-friendly – no clutch or gear-shifting means no left-leg cramps in city traffic, plus smoother transitions between gas and brake. Still, I recommend getting a C1 license since it covers both transmissions, giving you more flexibility to drive friends' manual cars or access wider rental options.
