Is a small car C1 or C2?
2 Answers
C1 license is a manual transmission license for small cars, while C2 license is an automatic transmission license for small cars. Those who obtain a C1 license can drive both manual and automatic transmission vehicles, whereas those with a C2 license can only drive automatic transmission vehicles. If you hold a C2 license and wish to drive a C1 vehicle, you need to retake the C1 driving test. The differences between C1 and C2 licenses include the types of vehicles allowed, difficulty of the test, and learning costs. From the perspective of vehicle types: C1 license allows driving small cars as well as C2, C3, and C4 vehicles (small cars refer to passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans); C2 license permits driving small automatic transmission cars. From the perspective of test difficulty: Learning to drive with a C1 license is relatively more challenging and prone to mistakes. Learning and driving an automatic transmission C2 vehicle is simpler. During the test, fewer actions under nervous conditions result in fewer mistakes, leading to a higher overall pass rate.
This is a pretty common question. I asked my driving school instructor about it. Generally, 'small cars' refer to regular passenger vehicles. In terms of driver's license classifications, a C1 license allows you to drive manual transmission small cars, including sedans and SUVs, while a C2 license only permits driving automatic transmission vehicles. Having driven for over a decade, I can say manual transmissions do offer more driving pleasure, especially on mountain roads or highways where you can shift gears yourself to control speed. The downside is that constantly pressing the clutch in city traffic can be tiring. Automatic transmissions are much easier - just press the accelerator - making them particularly suitable for beginners or daily commuting. If you choose C1, you'll have access to more vehicle types, but I'd recommend going for C2 directly if you mainly drive automatics, as it's more convenient. Nowadays many new cars are automatic, and they're simpler to maintain. In summary, most 'small cars' are compact passenger vehicles. When getting your license, choose based on your needs: C1 offers more versatility but is harder to learn, while C2 is easier but has more restrictions. Driving safety is paramount - practice is key regardless of which type you choose.
