Is a Test Required to Upgrade from an A2 to an A3 Driver's License?
2 Answers
No test is required to upgrade from an A2 to an A3 driver's license. 1. Legal Provisions: According to the 2019 revised "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," first-time applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license can directly apply for a city bus (A3) license. To apply for an A3 upgrade, there must be no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before the application. 2. A3 Driver's License Test The A3 driver's license test is the same as the standard C1 test, consisting of Subject 1, Subject 2, Subject 3, and Subject 4. Subjects 1 and 4 are theoretical tests, Subject 2 is a skills test, and Subject 3 is a road test. In some regions, these subjects may not follow the standard order; for example, Subject 3 might be taken before Subject 2, with Subject 4 taken after the probationary period ends.
As a friend who has been driving for years, I must say that upgrading from an A2 to an A3 license does require an exam. It's similar to getting a driver's license for the first time because driving a bus involves different skills, and you need to prove you understand the rules and operations again. The test consists of two parts: theory and practical skills. The theory part covers traffic regulations and bus-specific knowledge, while the practical part tests actual driving skills like turning, parking, and emergency handling. The process isn't too complicated, but I recommend first applying at the local DMV, bringing your driver's license and ID, and enrolling in a training school for better preparation. The exam fee isn't high, usually just a few hundred yuan—don't rush to save money, practice well. After upgrading, driving a bus will be more flexible, but safety comes first. From my experience, I advise not skipping steps; passing it in one go saves trouble.
