Can I directly apply for an A1 driver's license?
2 Answers
A1 driver's license cannot be obtained directly. Applicants must have held a B1 or B2 license for more than five years. The relevant introduction of A1 driver's license is as follows: Conditions for applying to upgrade to an A1 license: Must have held a B1 or B2 license for more than five years, with no full-point penalty record in the last three consecutive scoring cycles before application; or have held an A2 license for more than two years, with no full-point penalty record in the most recent scoring cycle before application. Other vehicle types permitted to drive with an A1 license include: A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized passenger vehicles), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). Only an A2 license permits driving full trailers and semi-trailer tractors, which an A1 license does not cover.
As someone with several years of experience as a driving instructor, I often encounter young people asking if they can directly obtain an A1 driver's license. To be honest, this is quite a headache because an A1 license is for driving large buses and has very strict requirements. According to regulations, you must first have a Class B license, such as B1 or B2, and drive medium-sized vehicles for at least two years before you can apply for the A1 test. You also need to be at least 26 years old, so younger individuals should not consider it yet. I've seen too many people eager to become bus drivers but get stuck at the first step. My advice is to start with a C1 license to get familiar with driving before upgrading. The A1 test is not only difficult in theory but also includes road tests and troubleshooting. Jumping into it without a foundation is too risky and can easily lead to accidents. Take it step by step with patience—it's safer and more reliable.
