Can a Class C License Be Directly Upgraded to a Class A License?
3 Answers
Driver's license Class C cannot be directly upgraded to Class A. Detailed explanation: The driver's license follows a step-by-step upgrade model and cannot skip levels. It is not possible to directly upgrade from Class C to Class A, but you can first upgrade from Class C to Class B, and then from Class B to Class A. Regulations for adding Class A driving categories: For those who already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and wish to apply for the addition of the urban bus (A3) driving category, there should be no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before the application. For those applying to add the tractor (A2) driving category, they must have held a medium-sized bus or large truck driving license qualification for more than three years, or have held a large passenger vehicle driving license qualification for more than one year, with no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles before the application.
I remember when I first got my Class C license, I thought about upgrading to a Class A, but after checking, I found it wasn't possible—I had to get a Class B first. In China's driver's license system, a Class C is for driving small passenger cars, while a Class A is for buses or large trucks, which have stricter safety requirements. To go from Class C to Class A, you must pass the Class B exam, such as B1 or B2, which requires accumulating driving experience and being at least 25 years old. My advice is not to rush. Start by upgrading from Class C to Class B, which involves passing both theory and practical tests—a few weeks of training should suffice. Then, wait a year or two before applying for the Class A license. Always follow traffic rules, maintain a clean driving record with few accidents, and this will make the upgrade smoother. After all, driving large vehicles carries higher risks, and these policies are designed with everyone's safety in mind—don't try to skip steps for convenience.
I once encountered a friend who wanted to directly upgrade to a Class A license. He had held a Class C license for several years and thought it would be straightforward, but the vehicle management office directly told him he had to start with a Class B license. He first enrolled in a Class B driving school for training, spending two months on theory and practical tests like reversing into a garage and making turns. After obtaining the Class B license, he still had to wait until he met the required driving experience before he could take the Class A test. I think this makes sense—driving a small car with a Class C license is completely different from driving a large vehicle. If someone were to drive a heavy truck directly and lose control, it wouldn’t be a minor issue. So I always remind those looking to upgrade to prepare time and patience, find a reliable driving school to practice, as it’s much safer than rushing into it.
