Can I directly apply for an A1 license?
3 Answers
You cannot apply for an A1 license for the first time; an A1 driver's license can only be obtained through license upgrading. The following are the requirements for upgrading to an A1 license: 1. Physical conditions: The applicant must be between 26 and 50 years old, with a height of at least 155 cm, and have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. 2. Driving experience: The applicant must have held a medium-sized bus (B1) or large truck (B2) driving license for at least five years, with no record of full demerit points in the last three consecutive scoring cycles before application; or have held a tractor (A2) driving license for at least two years, with no record of full demerit points in the last scoring cycle before application. 3. Location condition: The application can only be processed in the applicant's registered residence.
I remember getting a driver's license was quite important when I was young. It's completely fine to directly apply for a Class C1 license as long as you are at least 18 years old and in good health. After enrolling in a driving school, you can start from scratch. But don't think it's easy—you first need to pass a medical exam, then attend theoretical classes to learn traffic rules, and only after passing the written test can you start practical driving lessons. Each practice session lasts about half an hour, with the instructor teaching basics like steering and gear shifting step by step. You’ll need dozens of hours of continuous training before daring to take the test. If you fail the road test, you’ll have to start over, and the entire process might take two to three months. The advantage of applying directly is that you don’t need a motorcycle license first—you can apply independently. But I’d advise against skipping training to save time, as it can easily lead to accidents once you hit the road. I’ve seen many beginners rush through the process only to panic and cause serious mishaps while driving, so it’s better to patiently build a solid foundation. Browsing online driving test guides in your spare time can also save you some time.
Right after getting my C1 driver's license, everything felt fresh. I signed up directly without any issues right after my 18th birthday. The whole process was divided into several parts: first, registering and paying fees at the driving school, which cost around 2,000 yuan; then undergoing a physical exam testing vision and hearing. After passing, I attended five days of theoretical training, with the exam consisting of multiple-choice and true/false questions—pure memorization. Next came the practical driving phase, practicing starting and turning in a simulated field with the instructor two or three times a week until I was confident enough to hit the road. On the day of the road test, I was super nervous and almost stalled the car, but I passed on the first try. The whole process took about three months, and it felt worth it. Looking back, while going straight for the license offers freedom, sufficient training is a must. New drivers might find automatic transmission cars easier, but practicing with a manual for the C1 test builds better adaptability. After passing, don’t rush into long-distance driving—safety always comes first.
