Is a small car C1 or C2?

[StJosiah]

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.

[LylaAnn]

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.

[DiAlice]

As a new driver who just got my license, I was torn between choosing C1 and C2 before. Small cars refer to the private sedans we commonly see, such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Fit. C1 involves learning manual transmission, requiring practice with the clutch and gear shifting, and the exam operations are more complex with higher chances of mistakes. C2 is for automatic transmission, which is much simpler to control—just press the accelerator, brake, and shift gears. I think C2 is a great choice for beginners, especially for commuting in big cities where you don’t have to worry about stalling in traffic jams, making it easier to get the hang of driving. By definition, small cars in China are those with a total weight under 4.5 tons and seating for no more than 9 people, making them ideal for daily driving. During the license test, C2 has a higher pass rate, but I still took the advice of experienced drivers and opted for C1, as it allows me to drive manual cars in emergencies. Overall, most small cars fall under these two license types, and choosing C2 is both hassle-free and practical.

[EverlyLynn]

This is a topic I often discuss on car forums. Small cars refer to compact vehicles. A C1 driver's license allows you to drive manual transmission vehicles, while C2 only permits automatic transmission. The difference is simple: manual transmission requires you to shift gears yourself, whereas automatic transmission cars change gears automatically. Small car models like the Volkswagen Polo or Ford Escort fall into this category. Choosing C1 means you'll have more comprehensive driving skills, but C2 is more convenient for daily driving. I've seen several friends who passed their C2 test quickly adapt to driving, saving them the hassle of learning gear shifting.