How many seats can a B1 license drive for a bus?
3 Answers
Vehicle length less than 6 meters. A B1 driver's license allows driving "medium-sized buses" (medium passenger vehicles) and small cars. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," in China, passenger vehicles with 8 to 19 seats are classified as medium-sized buses. Small cars refer to vehicles with a total mass of 4.5 tons (inclusive), seating capacity (excluding the driver) of 9 people (exclusive), or a vehicle length of less than 6 meters (exclusive). Below is an introduction to the B1 driver's license: 1. Vehicle types permitted by B1 license: medium-sized buses; 2. Permitted vehicles: medium-sized passenger vehicles (including urban buses with a capacity of 10 to 19 people); 3. Other vehicle types allowed: C1, C2, C3, C4, M.
When I first got my B1 driver's license, I was also curious about this question. Through practice and research, I learned that the B1 license mainly restricts the number of passenger seats to no more than 9, including the driver's seat. This means you can drive small commercial vehicles or vans that seat seven or eight people, such as common models like the Jinbei or Transit. If the number exceeds this limit, such as more than 10 seats, you would need to obtain a higher-level license like B2 or C1. I think this regulation is quite reasonable because vehicles with more seats can be harder for beginners to control, increasing the risk of accidents. Nowadays, when I drive my family out for trips, I always make sure not to exceed the seating capacity—safety first. Also, remember to check the vehicle's registration details when renting or borrowing a car to ensure the seating capacity complies with the regulations, so you can drive with peace of mind.
After driving for so many years, I've encountered quite a few novice drivers asking what size of passenger vehicle a B1 license can drive. The answer is clear: vehicles with a maximum of 9 seats or fewer are permitted. Common passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats on the market include minibuses or small vans like the Iveco or Foton View, typically configured with seating capacities ranging from 7 to 9 seats. This design avoids the additional burden of larger vehicles on roads and drivers. In practice, it's important to pay attention to the vehicle's labeled passenger capacity and not overlook it. Sometimes, when friends want to borrow the car, it's necessary to remind them that only vehicles with 9 seats or fewer are allowed to avoid violations. Driving safety is always the core, and understanding these regulations can make travel smoother and more responsible.
