
A test is required. Below are the conditions for upgrading from C1 to B2: Hold a C1 license for small cars for at least 3 years, with no full-point records in the last three scoring cycles, aged between 20 and 50 years old, no record of causing a fatal traffic accident with equal or greater responsibility, no record of drunk driving, and no revocation or cancellation of the driver's license within the past ten years. C1 is one of the license classification codes. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123), C1 permits driving small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light and micro specialized operation vehicles. It also allows driving vehicles classified under C2, C3, and C4. A B2 license permits driving heavy and medium-duty trucks or large, heavy, and medium-sized specialized operation vehicles. Heavy and medium-duty trucks are mainly trucks, such as the large dump trucks commonly seen on roads, which fall under the category of heavy trucks. Large, heavy, and medium-sized specialized operation vehicles refer to vehicles equipped with special equipment or devices, such as water sprinklers, concrete mixers, fire trucks, etc. Article 14 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses" states that first-time applicants for a motor vehicle driving license can apply for license classifications such as city buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled cars, small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. For those who already hold a motor vehicle driving license and wish to add additional license classifications, the additional classifications can include large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Article 15 states that those who already hold a motor vehicle driving license and apply to add additional license classifications must not have accumulated 12 points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before the application. For applications to add medium-sized buses, tractors, or large buses, the following additional conditions must be met: To apply for a medium-sized bus classification, the applicant must have held a city bus, large truck, small car, small automatic transmission car, low-speed cargo vehicle, or three-wheeled car license for at least three years, with no full-point records in the last three consecutive scoring cycles. To apply for a tractor classification, the applicant must have held a medium-sized bus or large truck license for at least three years, or a large bus license for at least one year, with no full-point records in the last three consecutive scoring cycles. To apply for a large bus classification, the applicant must have held a city bus, medium-sized bus, or large truck license for at least five years, or a tractor license for at least two years, with no full-point records in the last five consecutive scoring cycles. Full-time driving vocational education students who have obtained a small car license while in school and have no full-point records in the current and most recent scoring cycle before the application can apply to add large bus or tractor classifications.

A few years ago, I encountered a similar issue when I just got my C1 driver's license and wanted to upgrade to a B2 license to earn money through transportation. However, I found out that I had to retake the exams—the theoretical test on traffic rules and safety knowledge, and the road test to assess my ability to drive large trucks, such as reversing into a parking space and starting on a slope. The whole process took over a month, with registration fees costing a few hundred yuan, but after the upgrade, I could legally drive large vehicles. I think this regulation is reasonable because the handling differences between B2 and C1 vehicles are significant, and driving without proper familiarity can easily lead to accidents. If you're considering upgrading your license, I suggest preparing study materials early and finding a driving school to practice.

As someone who frequently follows driver's license policies, I understand the reasons for requiring exams when upgrading from C1 to B2. According to current regulations, switching between different license categories always requires passing both theoretical and practical driving tests to ensure familiarity with truck driving techniques and safety requirements. This isn't just a formality—it's about public safety, since operating passenger cars and heavy trucks involves completely different skills. For example, B2 vehicles are heavier and more complex, requiring better braking and turning control. I remember consulting a driving school for a friend—the test includes traffic regulation questions and actual vehicle operation tests, usually taking about 2-3 days to complete, with costs varying by region but generally under 1,000 RMB.

When I was still a novice driver, I wondered if upgrading from a C1 to a B2 license required retaking the exams. Later, I asked experienced drivers around me and learned that it's mandatory—you have to go through a complete examination process. This made me a bit nervous, but after studying, I found it wasn't difficult. It mainly involves additional rules related to large vehicles and driving operation tests. Now, I advise people in similar situations not to worry—just spend some time reviewing the materials and doing more simulated practice, and you'll be fine.


