Can You Drive a Motorcycle with a Motor Vehicle License?
2 Answers
You cannot drive a motorcycle with a motor vehicle license. Motorcycles are not included in the vehicle types covered by a C1 driver's license. A C1 driver's license is a type of license code that permits driving small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as small and micro special-purpose vehicles. Holding any type of car driver's license does not authorize you to drive a motorcycle. None of the vehicle types covered by any car driver's license include motorcycles. The appropriate licenses for driving motorcycles are D, E, and F licenses. A D license allows driving all two-wheeled and three-wheeled motorcycles, an E license permits driving all two-wheeled motorcycles, and an F license only allows driving lightweight motorcycles with an engine displacement below 50CC. If you drive a motorcycle with a car driver's license, it is considered driving a vehicle type not covered by your license, which is equivalent to driving without a license. Penalties may be imposed according to the regulations for driving a motor vehicle without a license, though they may be appropriately reduced. Driving without a license can result in fines, a deduction of 12 points, and even detention for up to 15 days.
After getting my car driver's license, I wondered if I could also ride a motorcycle to avoid going through the hassle again. But one time on my way home from work, I rode a friend's motorcycle and got stopped by traffic police—fined 500 RMB and even had points deducted from my license! Later, I learned that a car license only allows you to drive cars, while riding a motorcycle requires a Class D or E license—they're completely different, and regulations strictly separate them. Mastering motorcycle skills is really different—you need to practice balance and throttle control, and the test covers these too. My advice: don't cut corners. Sign up for proper lessons at a driving school. It doesn't take much time, and once you pass, you'll ride with confidence and safety, avoiding regrets like my ticket.
