How to Upgrade from a C1 Driver's License to a B1 Driver's License?
2 Answers
Requirements for upgrading from a C1 to a B1 driver's license: The upgrade process is similar to the initial test, requiring passing the same three exams: Theory Test (Subject 1), Practical Driving Test (Subject 2), and Road Test (Subject 3). It is recommended to directly contact the local Vehicle Management Office to obtain a list of driving schools that offer upgrade services. The test must be taken in the location where your household registration is held. The issuing location of the original driver's license and the upgrade location must be the same. If the original driver's license was not issued in the current location, you need to transfer the license back to the Vehicle Management Office in the upgrade location first. To transfer the license, bring your ID card (temporary residence permit), driver's license, and 4-8 color ID photos with a white background to the Vehicle Management Office in the transfer location. Driver's 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 buses 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 (Only passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans, are considered small cars) 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, lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumbs, or missing finger joints) D: Regular three-wheeled motorcycles and E E: Regular two-wheeled motorcycles and F F: Light motorcycles M: Wheeled self-propelled machinery N: Trolleybuses P: Trams
I just upgraded from C1 to B1, and the whole process took three months. First, your C1 license must have been held for at least one year, and you must not have accumulated 12 penalty points in the most recent year. At the time, I went directly to the driving school to apply for the upgrade, bringing my ID card and medical examination form. The tests are similar to the C1 process, but the second test includes additional items like narrow-road U-turns and simulated rainy/foggy weather conditions, requiring an extra five or six practice sessions. For the third road test, you drive a medium-sized bus, which is much harder to control than a car. I recommend choosing a reputable driving school as they are familiar with the test center rules. After completing all the tests, it takes about a week to get the license, but now B1 holders must also submit an annual medical report—don’t overlook this.
