Is a C1 Driver's License for Manual or Automatic Transmission?
4 Answers
C1 driver's license is for manual transmission. The C1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driving licenses. The permitted driving scope of a C1 license includes small and mini passenger vehicles, light and mini cargo vehicles; light, small, and mini special operation vehicles; small passenger vehicles with seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. Vehicles that cannot be driven with a C1 license: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Additionally, a C1 license does not permit driving vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters. C license levels: C1: Small cars and C2, C3 (passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans, are considered small cars); C2: Small automatic transmission cars; C3: Low-speed cargo vehicles and C4; C4: Three-wheeled cars; C5: Small automatic transmission passenger cars specially designed for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with right lower limb disabilities, lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumbs, or finger end joint defects).
When I just got my C1 driver's license, I also struggled with this. Actually, a C1 license allows you to drive both manual and automatic transmission vehicles. I specifically checked the traffic regulations textbook, which clearly states that C1 is the permitted driving type for manual transmission vehicles, and you must use a training car with a clutch during driving lessons. However, interestingly, after obtaining a C1 license, you'll find that you can also drive automatic transmission cars because the permitted driving types include automatic transmissions. Just be careful with pure electric vehicles that require stepping on the brake to shift gears—if you're skilled, you can still handle them with a C1 license. But don't try driving heavy trucks recklessly; those require a B license.
I remember when I signed up at the driving school, the coach explained: A C1 license is exclusively for manual transmission vehicles, and the entire training must be completed in a manual car. Practicing clutch and gear shifts made my calves cramp! But after getting the license, it turned out to be a universal key—I can drive automatic transmission cars for daily commuting without any issues, as regulations allow C1 to be downward compatible with automatic transmissions. Once, I drove a friend's clutchless electric car, which had a completely different gear-shifting logic, but I wasn't pulled over. However, large RVs with steering wheels like trucks are off-limits—you'd need an A-class license to drive those safely.
Those three months preparing for the C1 license test really taught me the ropes of manual transmission. Every time I started the car, I was on edge worrying about stalling. The instructor said the whole point of this license is to develop clutch-throttle coordination. But now with two cars at home – a manual pickup and an automatic SUV – switching between them is no problem. Last time I helped a neighbor move their automatic new energy vehicle, though not needing to press the clutch felt a bit strange, the traffic police checking my license didn't say anything. Just don't touch buses – those require a higher-grade license.
