Can I drive an automatic transmission car with a C1 driver's license?
3 Answers
You can drive an automatic transmission car with a C1 driver's license. Permitted vehicle types: The C1 driver's license allows driving small and micro passenger cars, light and micro trucks, as well as light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles. Small passenger cars must have a seating capacity of 9 or fewer. Vehicles not permitted with a C1 license: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, regular three-wheeled motorcycles, regular two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Additionally, a C1 license does not permit driving vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters. Age requirements: The minimum age to apply for a C1 driver's license is 18, with no upper age limit. However, applicants over 70 years old must pass tests for memory, judgment, and reaction abilities.
Of course, a C1 driver's license allows you to drive automatic transmission cars. I've been driving my family's automatic car ever since I got my C1 license. Driving a manual requires frequently pressing the clutch and shifting gears, while an automatic is much simpler—just put it in D and step on the gas. However, those with a C1 license should also practice basic manual driving skills, just in case they encounter a manual car someday and don't panic. Remember, the C1 license covers small automatic vehicles—this is clearly stated in the permitted vehicle codes on the back of the license. My neighbor's aunt has been driving automatics for ten years after getting her C1, but now she's hesitant to try a manual. I recommend taking time to familiarize yourself with the differences between the two types.
As a driving instructor, the reason I train students for the C1 license is to enable them to drive all small vehicles. Automatic transmission is indeed simpler to operate, eliminating the hassle of clutch coordination, and it's less prone to stalling during turns or uphill climbs. However, I've noticed that some students who pass the C1 test immediately switch to driving automatic cars. In emergencies, they still instinctively try to press their left foot to find the clutch pedal, which could potentially lead to dangerous situations. I recommend that new drivers who have just obtained their license first practice with their family cars in open areas to adapt to the operational differences between the two types of vehicles. After all, the law stipulates that the C1 license covers the driving scope of automatic transmissions, but having a license doesn't automatically mean one can drive well—the key is to establish correct driving reflexes.
