Is an automatic transmission for C1 or C2?

[LaNathan]

An automatic transmission small car license is C2, while C1 is for manual transmission small car license. Permitted vehicle types for C1: The C1 driver's license allows driving small and mini passenger cars, as well as light and mini cargo trucks; light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles; small passenger cars with seating capacity less than or equal to 9 people. Vehicles not permitted for C1 license: Large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, mopeds, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and tramcars. Additionally, the C1 license does not permit driving vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters. Age requirements for C1 license application: The minimum age requirement for a C1 driver's license is 18 years old, with no upper age limit. However, applicants aged 70 and above must pass tests for memory, judgment, and reaction abilities.

[IkerRose]

After teaching driving for so many years, I often encounter students who can't distinguish between C1 and C2 licenses. Simply put, C1 is a manual transmission license that allows you to drive both manual and automatic cars, while C2 is specifically for automatic transmission vehicles only. The C2 test is much easier since you don't need to worry about the clutch or gear shifting—just focus on the brake and accelerator. Nowadays, automatic cars make up 70-80% of vehicles on the road, so if you want convenience, you could directly opt for learning C2. However, holding a C1 license gives you more flexibility in the future, like renting manual cars or driving friends' manual vehicles—after all, extra skills never hurt. Choose based on your needs, but make sure to clarify which type the driving school offers before enrolling. Wishing you a smooth journey to getting your license!

[VanGavin]

As an office worker, I chose the C2 license purely for convenience. Automatic transmission is so much easier – no need to constantly press the clutch or shift gears in city traffic, giving your right leg a real break. The C2 license is specifically designed for automatic vehicles, and the learning process is faster too. If you only plan to drive automatic cars in the future, it's perfectly sufficient. But do note: if you get a C2 license and later want to drive manual transmission, you'll have to retake the test, whereas a C1 license covers automatic vehicles too. My colleague once wanted to rent a manual car for a trip to save on fuel costs, only to find his C2 license didn't allow it, forcing him to switch cars last minute and costing him several hundred extra.

[VonLucas]

Recently, while helping my cousin research driver's licenses, I realized choosing between C1 and C2 depends on trends. Nowadays, 90% of new cars are automatic transmission, especially electric vehicles which don't even have clutch pedals. Opting for C2 saves about ten hours of clutch-gas coordination practice and reduces costs by around two thousand yuan. However, some special jobs still require a C1 license, like for emergency engineering vehicles or older pickup trucks. If you live in mountainous areas or have a manual transmission car at home, getting a C1 might be more practical. My cousin ultimately chose C2, since automatic transmissions are clearly the future when it comes to car upgrades.