Can You Get an A1 Driver's License Directly?

[AlyssaRose]

A1 driver's license cannot be obtained directly; you must upgrade step by step. Applicants must have held a B1 or B2 driver's license for more than five years with no full-point records in the previous three cycles, or an A2 driver's license for more than two years with no full-point records in the previous cycle. Article 15 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" stipulates that those who already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and apply for an additional permitted driving type must not have a record of 12 points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before application. Other vehicle types permitted by the A1 driver's license include: A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized passenger vehicles), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo vehicles), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery vehicles). To obtain an A1 driver's license, the applicant must be between 26 and 50 years old. Other physical requirements are as follows: Height: Minimum height of 155 cm. Vision: Naked or corrected vision of at least 5.0 in both eyes, with no red-green color blindness. Hearing: Ability to distinguish the direction of sound with each ear at a distance of 50 cm from a tuning fork. Upper and lower limbs: Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have at least three other fingers intact, with normal limb and finger movement functions. Both lower limbs must be intact with normal movement function, and the length difference must not exceed 5 cm. No record of causing death or serious injury in major traffic accidents. According to Article 12 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license must meet the following requirements: For small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled, or light motorcycles, the applicant must be between 18 and 70 years old. For low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, or wheeled self-propelled machinery vehicles, the applicant must be between 18 and 60 years old. For city buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams, the applicant must be between 20 and 50 years old. For medium-sized passenger vehicles, the applicant must be between 21 and 50 years old. For tractor-trailers, the applicant must be between 24 and 50 years old. For students undergoing full-time driving vocational education applying for large buses or tractor-trailers, the applicant must be between 20 and 50 years old.

[LaRuth]

When I first started learning to drive, I was also curious whether I could directly take the A1 license test. Later, I realized that it's not possible. You need to first obtain a small vehicle license, such as C1, and drive for several years to gain experience. The minimum age requirement is 21, and you need about three years of driving experience before you can upgrade to an A1 license. This is because operating a large bus is complex, carries many passengers, and has a large turning radius, making it risky for beginners to drive directly. Driving school instructors always emphasize starting from the basics and prioritizing safety. After obtaining my C1 license and driving for two years, I upgraded to A1 and felt more technically proficient. Although the process takes time, it's worth it. Now, driving a bus for tour groups, I feel more confident and know how to handle emergencies on the road. If you skip steps and take the test directly, the accident rate would increase. The official regulations are in place to protect everyone's safety.

[Kaleb]

Having been in the driver's circle for over a decade, I've driven all kinds of vehicles and know the ins and outs of the A1 license. You can't obtain it directly—you must start with a Class C license and then upgrade. Large buses have more blind spots and longer braking distances, making them prone to loss of control for inexperienced drivers. The rules state you must be at least 21 years old with three years of actual driving experience to qualify. When upgrading, you'll need to pass physical checks and have a clean violation record, along with tests that include reversing and complex road scenarios. I've seen novices try to skip steps for convenience, only to run into trouble. Traffic authorities enforce these measures to ensure drivers hone their skills and reduce accidents. Don't rush—steady progress is key. Mastering small vehicles is the foundation before tackling buses, much like many things in life—safety matters far more than speed.

[McRachel]

As a seasoned instructor at the driving school, I've trained many students. You can't obtain an A1 license directly; it requires upgrading from an existing license. The first step is to obtain a small vehicle license like C1 and drive for the required period, usually three years. You must be at least 21 years old. Then, apply for A1 training to learn special driving techniques such as handling large vehicle steering, and pass both the theoretical and road tests. These steps ensure drivers gain sufficient experience to minimize risks. Simply put, don't expect shortcuts—the system is designed for foundational skill accumulation.