Can an 18-year-old apply for a B2 driver's license?
3 Answers
An 18-year-old cannot apply for a B2 driver's license. According to Article 12 of the 'Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses,' applicants for a large truck (B2) license must be at least 20 years old and under 50 years old. They must also meet a height requirement of at least 1.55 meters and must undergo training in their place of residence (within the prefecture-level city of their household registration), not in a temporary residence. B2 license permitted vehicle types: The B2 license permits the operation of medium and heavy-duty trucks or specialized operation vehicles. It also allows driving small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed trucks, three-wheeled cars, and wheeled self-propelled machinery. However, the B2 license does not permit driving passenger buses or tow trucks. A tow truck requires an A2 license, while a passenger bus requires a B1 license. If one wishes to drive both passenger buses and trucks, they must apply for a B1 or A2 license. How to apply for a B2 license: A B2 driver's license can be applied for during the initial driver's license application or by upgrading from a lower-class license. In either case, applicants must submit their application to the local vehicle management office in their place of household registration, then undergo a medical examination and complete training and testing at a driving school as required.
Oh, I've looked into this matter. Getting a B2 driver's license at 18 is indeed not possible, as the legal age requirement is 21 and above. According to our country's traffic regulations, the B2 license is for driving large trucks, which has higher thresholds because operating such vehicles is complex, involves greater risks, and requires strict physical and experience standards. When I was learning to drive, I studied the rules and found that at 18, you can only start with a C1 or C2 license for smaller vehicles, which serves as a starting point. After accumulating a few years of driving experience, upgrading to a B2 becomes much easier. I recommend not rushing to get a large vehicle license and starting with the basics to practice—safety first. It's also good to regularly check the latest regulations on the DMV's official website, as policies may change, but getting a B2 at 18 is almost impossible.
I also asked this when I was 18, and the conclusion was that I couldn't get a B2 driver's license because large vehicle licenses require you to be at least 21 years old. I first got a C1 license for small cars, which felt quite easy to handle. Driving large vehicles is really different, with much higher control difficulty. Everyone should start with small licenses when young, accumulate experience, and then upgrade. This way, driving is safe and smooth. I think the rules are reasonable, as 18-year-olds might lack sufficient physical strength and experience.
