Can an A3 license be upgraded to an A2?
2 Answers
An A3 license cannot be upgraded to an A2 license. The A3 license is designated for driving buses, while the A2 license is for driving tractor-trailers. These two types of vehicles belong to entirely different fields. Moreover, the A3 license is unique among all Class A licenses, as it is the only one that can be directly obtained by upgrading from a C1 license. Therefore, regardless of how long a driver has held an A3 license, they cannot directly upgrade to an A2 license. Conditions for upgrading to an A2 license: The driver must have no outstanding traffic violations; otherwise, the upgrade is not permitted. After obtaining a B1 or B2 license, the driver must wait at least three years before applying. The driver must be between 24 and 50 years old. In the three most recent scoring cycles before applying for the A2 upgrade, the driver must not have accumulated 12 penalty points. Circumstances under which an A2 upgrade is not allowed: Having a record of drunk driving in the current scoring cycle or the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles. Exceeding the speed limit by more than 50% in the current scoring cycle or the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles, without having the license revoked. Being fully or primarily responsible for a traffic accident resulting in casualties. Documents required for the upgrade application: A copy of the ID card, the original driver's license, a medical certificate, and one passport-sized photo with a white background and no headwear. After enrolling in a driving school qualified for A2 training, the school will assist with the subsequent procedures. The driver then needs to attend training and pass the required exams at the school. Key content of each exam subject: According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," the driver's license exam consists of three main subjects: Subject 1 (traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge), Subject 2 (field driving skills), and Subject 3 (road driving skills and safe driving knowledge). In practice, Subject 3 is divided into a road test and a safe driving knowledge test, the latter commonly referred to as Subject 4. Subject 1 exam content includes: road traffic rules, traffic signals, handling of traffic violations and accidents, regulations on applying for and using a driver's license, vehicle registration rules, and other traffic safety laws and regulations. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90. Subject 2 for B2 and A2 licenses includes: pole parking, hill start, parallel parking, single-plank bridge, curve driving, right-angle turns, narrow gate passage, continuous obstacle course, bumpy road driving, narrow road U-turns, and simulations of highway driving, continuous sharp turns, tunnels, rain/fog conditions, slippery roads, and emergency handling. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90. Subject 3 for B2 and A2 licenses includes: vehicle preparation, starting, straight-line driving, gear shifting, lane changes, roadside parking, straight through intersections, left/right turns, pedestrian crossings, school zones, bus stops, meeting vehicles, overtaking, U-turns, and night driving. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90. Subject 3 safe driving knowledge test (Subject 4) includes: safe driving practices, driving in adverse weather and complex road conditions, handling emergencies like tire blowouts, and post-accident procedures. The full score is 100, with a passing score of 90.
Well, I remember when I first started driving buses, I really wanted to try my hand at driving heavy trucks, especially since the income would increase significantly. Later, I found out that an A3 license can be upgraded to an A2, but there are quite a few rules: you have to be at least 24 years old and have driven buses for at least 5 years before you can apply for the upgrade. The process isn't simple—you need to pass a medical exam at the DMV and then take the second and third subject tests, which are similar to the driver's license tests but more difficult. It took me half a year of studying to pass, but now I have much more freedom driving heavy trucks, and long-distance trips are safer. The key is that there are more career opportunities. I recommend finding a reliable driving school to practice first—don't try to cut corners to save money. Safety always comes first.
