How long does it take to upgrade from C1 to B1 license?
3 Answers
You can upgrade to a B1 license after holding a C1 license for more than three years. To upgrade from a C1 to a B1 license, you need to meet the following four requirements: Hold a C1 license for more than three years; No record of accumulating 12 penalty points in any of the last three consecutive scoring cycles; Meet the physical requirements: Age: Between 21 and 50 years old; Height: At least 150 cm; Vision: Naked or corrected vision of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart for both eyes; Hearing: Able to distinguish the direction of sound 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 movement and function; Lower limbs: Both lower limbs must be intact with normal movement function, and the length difference should not exceed 5 cm. Additional notes for upgrading: The B1 license upgrade application can only be processed at the vehicle management office in the driver's registered residence.
I've been driving for many years and know the ins and outs of upgrading my license. Going from C1 to B1 takes at least a year. It's not just about getting your C1 license and immediately taking the test; your driving record also matters. Specifically, the law requires holding a C1 license for at least 12 months, and in the past year, your license points must not have been completely deducted—meaning you need to avoid violations like traffic offenses. You also need to be at least 21 years old. Even if the time requirement is met, you still have to enroll in a driving school to take the exams, which include both theory and practical tests, especially skills like shifting gears and turning a medium-sized bus. I recommend calculating the exact date—apply as soon as you’ve held your C1 license for a full year, and don’t delay signing up. In practice, some people procrastinate for months before taking the test, only to miss new regulations. The key is maintaining safe driving habits during this period to avoid violations that could delay your eligibility. In short, don’t rush—drive safely for a full year before making your move. That’s the most reliable approach.
I just successfully upgraded from C1 to B1, sharing my personal experience. The whole process took a little over a year. Counting from the day I got my C1 license, you must wait a full 365 days to be eligible to apply, plus the time for registration and exams. I obtained my C1 in March last year, submitted the application this April, and finished the exams in May. The key is that during this year, your driving license points must not be completely deducted—I had zero violations—otherwise, you wouldn’t even meet the registration requirements. The exam part was quite challenging: the theory test covered new B1 knowledge points, and the practical test involved driving a medium-sized vehicle for hill starts and reverse parking. I recommend enrolling in a driving school training course two or three months in advance to practice and discussing more with instructors. The actual time varies by person, but the core requirement is that fixed one-year period—no shortcuts. From my experience, preparing study materials in advance is more efficient, like checking online question banks, which saved me a lot of hassle.
