Can I directly apply for an A1 driver's license now?

[StBrooklyn]

A1 driver's license cannot be obtained directly. The following are the application requirements for an A1 driver's license: Upgrade to obtain: Since the A1 driver's license can only be obtained through upgrading, you must already have one of the A3, B1, or B2 licenses before applying for an A1 license. You can apply for an A1 license only after five years of holding either an A3 or B1 license, and you must not have accumulated 12 penalty points in any of the recent five scoring cycles. For those holding a B2 license, the upgrade period can be reduced from five years to three, provided there is no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in any corresponding scoring cycle. Physical conditions: Height and age: Applicants must be between 22 and 60 years old and at least 155 cm tall. Vision and hearing: Uncorrected or corrected vision in both eyes must reach 5.0 or above. Applicants must be able to distinguish the sound of a tuning fork from 50 cm away, have normal physical activity, and no obvious defects.

[MacMiguel]

As an ordinary car enthusiast, I understand that many people think they can directly take the A1 license test to drive a bus, but in fact, it's not possible. China's traffic regulations require you to first obtain a small vehicle license such as C1, drive for a certain period of time, then upgrade to a B-class license, and only after holding the B license for more than two years and reaching the age of 24 can you apply for the A1 test. This process is scientifically designed because driving a large passenger vehicle carries higher risks with more passengers on board, and inexperienced drivers may struggle to handle sharp turns or traffic jams, leading to accidents. When I got my driver's license, I started with C1, accumulated 10,000 kilometers of driving experience before upgrading to B2, and now I'm preparing for the A1 test. I advise beginners to start from the basics step by step, not to look for shortcuts, as safety should always come first. The upgrade process includes a medical checkup, written theory test, and road test, costing several thousand yuan, which is worth the time and effort.

[LeRowan]

As a seasoned driver with over 20 years of experience, I can tell you that going straight for the A1 license is simply not feasible. You should start with a small vehicle license (C-class), drive for a few years, upgrade to a B-class license, and only after meeting the age and driving experience requirements should you attempt the A1 large vehicle license. This system is designed to protect public safety—large buses have higher accident rates, and how can a novice who struggles with gear shifting handle rush hour traffic? When I upgraded my license, the test included load simulation and adverse weather driving scenarios, which are far more challenging than small vehicle tests. A common misconception is that you can fast-track the process with money, but the tiered licensing system is well-justified. My advice to newcomers is to start with a C-class license to familiarize themselves with road rules, not to rush the process, accumulate mileage, and then plan for license upgrades.

[McNorah]

I also thought about getting an A1 license to drive long-distance buses for extra income, but the reality is that you can't obtain it directly. You must start with a C1 license, drive for a few years to upgrade to a B-class license, and then wait another two years before applying. The advantage of an A1 license is that it allows you to drive large passenger buses for jobs, but the requirements are strict: you must be at least 24 years old, provide proof of B-class driving experience, and pass specialized tests including theory and practical road exams. The cost is around 4,000 RMB, and you need to invest time in training. Don't be discouraged—step by step, completing the foundational accumulation is the right approach.