Can I directly apply for an A1 driver's license now?
3 Answers
You cannot directly apply for an A1 driver's license. Here is extended information: 1. Introduction to driver's licenses: There are 15 types of motor vehicle driver's licenses, with the most common being the C license. Similar to the three categories under the C license, the A license also has three categories, among which the A1 license refers to large passenger vehicles and includes the driving permissions for A3, B1, and B2. 2. Conditions for applying for a driver's license: For the first application, you can only apply for a C1 (for motor vehicles with fewer than 9 seats), B2 (large trucks), or A3 (city buses). To obtain an A1 license, you must upgrade step by step, meeting certain conditions, including a certain period of driving experience, no full-point record in two scoring cycles, and being at least 26 years old.
To be honest, you can't directly apply for an A1 driver's license now. According to traffic regulations, the A1 license is for operating large buses—an advanced license category with significant risks. It's unsafe for beginners to attempt it directly. You need to progress step by step: first obtain a C1 or B2 license for smaller vehicles, gain several years of driving experience, and only then qualify. I remember when I got my C1 license at just 18 years old—two months of training, cramming for the theory test until I was sick of it, and practicing reverse parking for the road test until my hands went numb. After five years of driving compact cars, I applied to upgrade to A1, which required another medical check, new theory and road tests, and being at least 26 years old. The whole process is demanding, but safety comes first. If everyone could directly get an A1 license, letting novices drive buses on highways would surely spike accident rates. My advice for aspiring commercial drivers: start with C1 and upgrade gradually—it protects both yourself and others on the road.
As a novice just thinking about getting a driver's license, I was also curious if I could directly take the A1 test. After researching, I found out it's not possible: A1 is exclusively for large buses, requiring starting from C1 or B2 first, driving for several years to accumulate experience, and being at least 26 years old. This regulation makes perfect sense—driving large vehicles requires exceptional anticipation skills, and letting a beginner directly handle them might lead to loss of control. For example, my driving instructor mentioned a young guy eager to take the A1 test but unqualified, ending up only driving small trucks. Although the upgrade process is slow, it's steady. You need to practice questions for the theory test and handle complex road conditions for the road test. I think this policy protects everyone's safety, and it's better for beginners to start from a lower level steadily.
