How Long Does It Take to Upgrade from C1 to A1?
2 Answers
C1 license holders can upgrade to an A1 license after holding a B2 license for 5 years and meeting the following conditions. The upgrade process is as follows: After holding a C1 license for one year, you can apply for a B2 license. After holding the B2 license for 5 years, you can then apply for an A1 license. License classifications: A1: Large buses and A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A2: Tractor trucks and B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A3: City buses and C1, C2, C3, C4 B1: Medium-sized buses and C1, C2, C3, C4, M (Medium-sized buses refer to those with fewer than 19 seats, such as minibuses and vans) B2: Large trucks and C1, C2, C3, C4, M C1: Small cars and C2, C3 (Small cars refer to passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans) C2: Small automatic transmission cars C3: Low-speed trucks and C4 C4: Three-wheeled cars C5: Small automatic transmission passenger cars for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with right lower limb disabilities, both lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumbs, or finger end joint defects) D: Regular three-wheeled motorcycles and E E: Regular two-wheeled motorcycles and F F: Light motorcycles M: Wheeled self-propelled machinery vehicles N: Trolleybuses P: Trams
I remember researching this when I wanted to drive a bus after getting my C1 license. The fastest path from C1 to A1 takes at least 6 years: You must hold a C1 license for 1 year before upgrading to B2, then drive with B2 for 5 years before applying for A1. During this period, you cannot accumulate 12 penalty points on your license at any time, otherwise the clock resets. My friend had to delay his A1 application by 2 years because he got 12 points for speeding. You also need medical checks, theory and practical tests, and must be at least 22 years old. It's a lengthy process, but safety comes first - the responsibility of driving a passenger coach is no joke.
