Is it difficult to upgrade from C1 to B2?
4 Answers
C1 upgrading to B2 does have certain difficulties. The following are the conditions for upgrading from C1 to B2: Years of holding the license: The driver must have held a C1 driver's license for more than three years and must not have had all 12 points deducted in any of the three consecutive scoring cycles. This is to ensure that the driver has sufficient driving experience and can comply with China's traffic safety laws and regulations. Applicants must be between 20 and 50 years old: This is because people in this age group generally have more energy, can drive more safely, and may be better able to handle some potential crises on the road.
Upgrading from C1 to B2 is indeed more challenging, as the test items have increased significantly. Those like me who have taken the test can attest to this. The B2 test includes additional subjects such as continuous obstacles and narrow road U-turns, and the difficulty of handling a large truck is not on the same level at all. The vehicle is taller and longer, and when I first started practicing reverse parking, I often crossed the line, and my arms would ache from turning the steering wheel. However, practice makes perfect. I spent two hours every day at the training ground for about a month, gradually mastering the timing of steering and the skills of judging with the rearview mirrors. Although it took more time and effort than the C1 test, if you follow the coach's instructions diligently, you can basically pass.
When I was getting my B2 license, the most noticeable difference was the significant increase in handling difficulty. Corners that I could easily navigate in a small car required much earlier steering input in a large truck, with the body being over three meters longer and a completely different turning radius. During the initial days of practicing parking maneuvers, I often struggled to find reference points, and the steering wheel felt particularly heavy, leaving my arms numb after a day of practice. However, the adaptation period only lasted about the first two weeks, and things got much better once I got familiar with the truck's characteristics. The test items were indeed more complex than those for the C1 license, such as the mandatory simulated highway driving and emergency handling for the B2 upgrade. But the actual assessment standards weren't as strict as imagined, and spending more time getting accustomed to the vehicle's traits was the most important thing.
Cost and time are the key factors. It took me about two months to upgrade my license to B2, and the training fee was nearly 3,000 yuan more expensive than for a C1 license, mainly due to the higher fuel consumption of large vehicles. However, progress is actually quite fast if you can practice for two hours every day. The hardest part is getting used to the visibility of a large vehicle at the beginning—the rearview mirrors are positioned higher, and you have to rely on feel for the rear wheel trajectory. But the instructor will place markers on the vehicle to help you remember the steering angle and timing. After about ten practice sessions, you’ll get the hang of it. During the test, stay calm and follow the steps you practiced—usually, there won’t be any major issues.
