How long after obtaining a C1 driver's license can you upgrade to a B1 license?
2 Answers
C1 driver's license holders who wish to upgrade to a B1 license must have held the C1 license for at least three years and must not have accumulated 12 penalty points in any of the last three consecutive scoring cycles. Additional requirements for upgrading from C1 to B1: Physical conditions must meet the following standards: Age: Between 21 and 50 years old; Height: At least 150 cm; Vision: Naked or corrected visual acuity must reach 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart; Hearing: Able to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear at a distance of 50 cm from a tuning fork; Upper limbs: Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have at least three other fingers intact, with normal limb and finger movement functions; Lower limbs: Both lower limbs must be intact with normal movement functions, and the length difference between them must not exceed 5 cm. Note: The B1 upgrade application can only be processed at the vehicle management office in the driver's registered residence location.
After obtaining a C1 driver's license, I believe it's necessary to wait at least three years before upgrading to a B1 license. This isn't an arbitrary wait—it's a mandatory requirement under traffic regulations designed to ensure you accumulate sufficient driving experience and prevent inexperienced drivers from operating medium-sized buses prematurely. Over these years, I've strictly followed traffic rules without accumulating 12 penalty points, as the upgrade application reviews your driving record over the past five years. Excessive violations will lead to rejection. So, my advice is to drive responsibly with your C1 license first—don't rush for the B1 upgrade. After three years of solid preparation, visit the DMV to inquire about training and exam details for safer, more confident driving.
