Is an automatic transmission classified as C1 or C2?
2 Answers
An automatic transmission falls under the C2 category, which permits driving small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles, as well as light and micro automatic transmission cargo vehicles. Specifically, it allows driving automatic transmission cars with fewer than 9 seats and a length not exceeding 6 meters. Automatic transmission vehicles do not have a clutch pedal and do not require gear shifting, making them easier to operate and eliminating concerns about stalling. On the other hand, C1 is for manual transmissions, covering small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles, and small passenger cars (with seating capacity ≤9). A C1 license does not permit driving large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, mopeds, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, or trams.
I have personal experience with getting a driver's license. Automatic transmission vehicles indeed fall under the C2 license category. A C1 license allows driving both manual and automatic transmission cars, while C2 only permits driving automatic transmission vehicles. When I was choosing the license type, my instructor recommended that beginners prioritize taking the C2 test, as it's less stressful—no clutch pedal to worry about, resulting in fewer mistakes. Having driven in the city for years, automatic transmission cars are everywhere, making driving easier, especially in traffic jams where it's more effortless. Although choosing C1 allows driving manual transmission cars, it increases the test difficulty, requiring more practice on skills like hill starts. If you're a beginner or prefer automatics for daily use, going straight for C2 is sufficient—you'll learn faster, get licensed sooner, and enjoy higher practicality while saving time and energy for traffic rule details.
