Is an exam required to upgrade from C1 to B2?

[DelAdrian]

After successfully obtaining a C1 driver's license, you can apply to upgrade to a B2. Here are the relevant details: 1. Required fees: Generally, if you register at a driving school in a different location, the school will handle the residence permit, medical examination certificate, etc., and you only need to pay the fees. Currently, the fee standards for driving schools vary across the country. 2. Required time: This mainly depends on the driving school's schedule for practical training and exam appointments. Typically, obtaining a license takes about 3 months, with the fastest being 45 days. 3. Scope: The B2 driver's license test, like the one for cars, is mainly divided into four parts: Subject 1, Subject 2, Subject 3, and Subject 4.

[DiBentley]

I remember when I upgraded from a C1 to a B2 driver's license, I definitely had to take the exams—it wasn't an automatic upgrade. The whole process included a theory test, a yard test, and a road test. The theory part was similar to the C1 test but included additional knowledge about large vehicles, such as load limits and vehicle size regulations. The yard test focused on reverse parking and parallel parking because large trucks have significant blind spots, and a slight mistake could lead to a scrape. The road test was stricter—I drove a heavy truck on city roads, testing hill starts and emergency braking. If my reactions weren't quick enough, I would have failed. The entire process took me two months and cost over 2,000 RMB, covering driving school training and a medical check-up—physical conditions had to meet the standards. For example, my severe nearsightedness almost made me fail the vision test. I’d advise anyone planning to upgrade to start preparing early, watch driving skill videos regularly, and not cut corners—safety comes first.

[SanCorbin]

I just completed the upgrade exam from C1 to B2, and the test was definitely necessary! For the theory part, I practiced daily on the APP question bank, covering topics like cargo securing and night driving. During the road test, I drove a large truck—the first time I tried it, the accelerator felt heavy, and turning was challenging. The instructor emphasized mastering weight distribution, or else accidents could easily happen during the road test. The whole process took me about three weeks and cost around 3,500 yuan. I also added some practical training, driving a small truck to get a feel for it, which helped me pass faster. If you don’t want to waste money and time, sign up for a driving school course—they offer simulation tests to help you adapt to the characteristics of large vehicles, like larger blind spots and longer braking distances.

[LeMadison]

Upgrading from a C1 to a B2 driver's license requires passing formal exams, and it's not just a formality. This includes a theory test on updated traffic regulations, a yard test practicing special road conditions like curve driving, and a road test assessing safe driving awareness. I've taught many students, and a common issue is beginners underestimating the risks of large vehicles, leading to higher accident rates—such as rollovers during sharp turns. It's advisable to have a longer preparation period and learn some basic maintenance knowledge.