Is a Qualification Certificate Required to Drive a Mini Truck?
4 Answers
Driving a mini truck requires a freight qualification certificate. The conditions for obtaining a freight qualification certificate are as follows: 1. The applicant must be under 60 years old. 2. The applicant must hold a corresponding motor vehicle driver's license, with a minimum requirement of C4 or above, and must have held the license for at least one year. For transporting hazardous materials, the applicant must have held the corresponding driver's license for at least two years and have no record of major traffic accidents within the past three years. 3. The applicant must be knowledgeable about relevant laws and regulations for freight transport, as well as basic knowledge of motor vehicle maintenance and cargo storage. The specific application process is as follows: 1. Submit an application to the local transportation administration department, fill out the application form as required, and bring relevant documents such as ID card, driver's license, and non-professional driver training completion certificate. If there are any uncertainties, consult the local vehicle management office. 2. Provide the required documents, which generally include the original and photocopy of ID card, original and photocopy of motor vehicle driver's license, and four recent one-inch color photos without hats. Those who pass the review can register for the exam. 3. The exam consists of two subjects: theoretical knowledge and professional knowledge, with a full score of 100 and a passing score of 80. 4. The transportation department will announce the exam results within 10 working days after the exam. Those who pass will be issued the corresponding professional qualification certificate, which can be collected at the designated traffic police station with valid identification documents.
When I first bought a car, I didn't know much and got a mini truck for courier deliveries, thinking a C1 driver's license would suffice. But on my first trip, I was stopped by traffic police who explained that while a C1 license is indeed sufficient for non-commercial vehicles under 4.5 tons gross weight, using it for profit-making haulage requires a professional qualification certificate—otherwise, it's considered illegal operation. I was fined 500 RMB that time and it delayed my work. Now I've learned my lesson: always check the vehicle's manual for weight details or confirm the intended use and required licenses with the DMV before driving. Never cut corners to avoid bigger losses.
As an experienced driver with over a decade behind the wheel, I often help friends move furniture using mini vans. For those light-duty blue-plate vehicles with a total weight not exceeding 4.5 tons, a C1 driver's license is sufficient. However, if you're transporting goods for profit, such as doing deliveries, you must obtain a qualification certificate. I've seen newcomers trying to cut corners by hitting the road directly, only to end up with fines and penalty points. My advice is to frequently consult with repair shop owners about the latest regulations during routine vehicle maintenance, ensuring all your documents are in order so you can drive with peace of mind and without worries.
Simply put, driving a mini truck depends on your driver's license type and vehicle usage. A C1 license is sufficient for vehicles with a total mass under 4.5 tons, but if used for commercial transport like paid cargo hauling, an additional vocational qualification certificate is required. Otherwise, it's considered illegal driving and may result in fines, points deduction, and safety risks. It's advisable to consult local traffic authorities to avoid trouble.
