How many seats can a C1 driver's license drive?
2 Answers
A C1 driver's license allows driving vehicles with 9 seats or fewer (including 9 seats). The permitted vehicle types for a C1 license include small and mini passenger cars, light and mini cargo vehicles, and light, small, and mini specialized operation vehicles. Holders of a C1 license can also drive vehicles permitted under C2, C3, and C4 licenses. Small cars refer to vehicles with a total mass of less than 4.5 tons, seating capacity of no more than 9 people, and a length under 6 meters. C1 driver's license test items: The C1 driver's license test consists of four examination components. The traffic regulations and related knowledge test, commonly known as Subject 1; the field driving test, known as Subject 2; the road driving test, also referred to as Subject 3, which includes 16 driving skills such as vehicle preparation, starting, and straight-line driving; and Subject 4, which focuses on safe and civilized driving operation requirements, similar to Subject 1, is a theoretical test. According to the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Business Work Standards" issued by the relevant authorities, motor vehicle driver's licenses are categorized into a hierarchical system, dividing licenses into 15 levels: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. The permitted seating capacities for different license levels are as follows: A1 license: A1 license holders can drive large passenger vehicles with more than 20 seats. A2 license: A2 license holders can drive passenger vehicles with 19 seats or fewer. A3 license: A3 license holders can drive urban buses designed to carry 10 or more passengers. C2 license: Permits driving automatic transmission vehicles with 7 seats or fewer and a length not exceeding 6 meters. B1 license: The permitted vehicle type for a B1 license is medium-sized passenger vehicles, defined as those with a length less than 6 meters and a designed seating capacity of 10 (inclusive) to 19 (inclusive) passengers. B2 license: B2 license holders can only drive vehicles with 9 seats or fewer and blue-plate small passenger vehicles with a length under 6 meters.
When I first got my C1 driver's license, I was so excited thinking I could drive friends around on road trips. But during my first car rental for an outing, I almost picked an 11-seater minivan. Luckily, the rental shop owner reminded me that C1 license only allows driving vehicles with 9 seats or fewer, including the driver. So I can drive my family's 5-seater sedan or common 9-seater business vans, but 10-seaters and above are off limits. My instructor repeatedly emphasized during training that seat restrictions are for safety reasons – larger vehicles require more skilled handling. If caught driving over the seat limit, you'll face fines and 12 penalty points, plus higher accident risks. Now I always check the vehicle manual or registration for seat count before driving to ensure compliance. Safe driving is what matters most. I advise new drivers to pay close attention to this – don't be careless like I was initially.
