Can C1 directly upgrade to B1?
3 Answers
C1 cannot directly upgrade to B1, but you can add B1 to your C1 license. To upgrade from a C1 driver's license to B1, you need to meet these four requirements: Hold a C1 driver's license for more than three years; No record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the last three consecutive scoring cycles; Physical conditions must meet the requirements: Age: 21 years or older, under 50 years old; Height: 150 cm or taller; Vision: Naked or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart; Hearing: Ability to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear 50 cm away from a tuning fork; Upper limbs: Both thumbs intact, with at least three other fingers intact on each hand, and normal limb and finger movement function; Lower limbs: Both lower limbs intact with normal movement function, and length difference not exceeding 5 cm. Note: The B1 upgrade application can only be processed at the vehicle management office in the driver's registered residence.
In my many years of driving experience, I find this question quite common. Many new drivers ask whether a C1 license allows them to directly drive B1-type vehicles, such as medium-sized buses. Actually, it doesn't. A C1 license is for small cars, like private vehicles, while B1 typically refers to driving medium-sized buses or larger passenger trucks. If you want to upgrade from C1 to B1, you'll need to go through the additional licensing process. First, you must apply at a driving school, requiring at least one year of holding a C1 license and being at least 21 years old. Then, you must pass all the exams: reviewing theory for Subject 1, the field driving test for Subject 2, and the actual road test for Subject 3. The whole process takes several months, involving practice and additional costs. I've seen many friends skip this step and end up heavily fined by traffic police—road safety is no joke. Rules are rules; only by obeying traffic laws can you drive with peace of mind.
As a young driver who just got my C1 license, I was also curious about similar things. After checking the information, I found that you can't directly upgrade from C1 to B1. The C1 license is mainly for driving small vehicles, while B1 is suitable for medium-sized buses or larger vehicles. To upgrade, you must go through an additional licensing process: first, consult the local vehicle management office, which has clear requirements, such as holding a C1 license for at least one year and being at least 21 years old. Then, you need to retake the full driving test process, including the written exam and the practical driving test. A driving instructor I know said this process helps deepen your driving skills and ensures you learn properly. Driving is no joke—safety is the top priority. Taking the test honestly is the best way to avoid trouble. Don't rush to get it all done at once; taking it step by step is more reliable.
