How many seats can a B1 driver's license drive?
4 Answers
A B1 driver's license allows the holder to drive medium-sized passenger vehicles (including city buses with a capacity of 10 to 19 passengers). Other vehicle types permitted under a B1 license are: C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). A driver's license, also known as a 'driving license,' is an official document issued by the government's transportation department to individuals who qualify to drive. It is typically a card. To obtain a driver's license, one must meet the minimum age requirement and pass a driving test. The license usually specifies the types of motor vehicles the holder is permitted to drive, such as motorcycles, passenger cars, trucks, and buses.
I remember when I first got my B1 driver's license, the most frequently asked question was about the seating capacity. Simply put, vehicles that can be driven with a B1 license must have a seating capacity exceeding 9 people, but the upper limit is within 20 people. For example, common 11-seat Coasters or some 15-seat minibuses are perfectly fine for me to drive when picking up and dropping off team activities. Why this range? Because during driver training, we learned that the B1 license is mainly for medium-sized buses, which have high safety requirements and require proficient driving skills. If driving a 19-seat tourist bus, you must pay attention not to exceed the speed limit, which is capped at 90 km/h on highways. Before taking my colleagues on company trips, I always check the vehicle registration to confirm the seating capacity to avoid violations. One more thing, don’t mistakenly think you can drive a 9-seater—that’s the job of a C1 license. With a B1 license, it’s only legal to drive vehicles with at least 10 seats. In short, understanding this can help avoid fines or accidents. Using a B1 license for daily driving is quite convenient, especially for shuttling people or transporting small groups.
As a seasoned driver, I find the seating restrictions for a B1 driver's license quite crucial. It allows driving vehicles with a capacity of more than 10 but not exceeding 20 passengers, such as common minibuses or some modified 16-seater vans. Having driven since my younger days, this range strikes a balance between safety and economy: too few seats aren't suitable for B1, while too many would require an A1 license. In practice, driving a 15-seater to pick up friends at the airport is very convenient, but never modify the seating, or the police will fine you. Also, driving these vehicles in rain or snow carries higher risks, so remember to install snow chains. As for why the limit is 20 passengers? It's set by law – B2 and C1 licenses can't handle such large vehicles. I recommend that new drivers with a B1 license start practicing with 11-seaters first and upgrade only after getting comfortable.
I just passed my B1 driver's license test, and during my review, I clarified the seating requirement: the permitted number of passengers must be between 10 and 20. For example, a 17-seat minibus is allowed, but a 9-seater isn't. This principle comes from the theoretical lessons—driving a medium-sized bus requires special training due to its greater weight and wider field of vision. In practice, a 12-seater is quite useful for transporting a sports team, but you must be mindful of urban restricted zones. In summary, the B1 license has clear limitations—just avoid driving small cars or large buses indiscriminately.
