Is it mandatory to merge motorcycle and car driver's licenses?
2 Answers
Motorcycle and car driver's licenses must be merged, which is referred to as license combination. According to relevant national regulations, if you wish to obtain driving qualifications for two types of vehicles, the licenses must be combined. Below is relevant information about the C1 car driver's license and motorcycle driver's license: C1 Driver's License: The permitted driving categories under the C1 license include all vehicle types under C2, C3, and C4. It allows driving small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles. Motorcycle Driver's License: The motorcycle driver's license is divided into the D license (regular three-wheeled motorcycles), E license (regular two-wheeled motorcycles), and F license (light motorcycles). Upgrading from C1 to D (E/F) License: You must have held a C license for at least one year before applying for an upgrade, and you still need to pass the subject one, subject two, and subject three tests.
When I accompanied my friend to the DMV to add a motorcycle license, I specifically asked about this. The staff said there's no need to worry about merging issues now—the system automatically links your newly obtained D or E license with your original C license on the same driver's license. I showed you my own license booklet as proof: the back lists both C1 and D under the permitted vehicle types. You only need to carry this one booklet when driving or riding a motorcycle, with no extra procedures required. However, be aware that the 12-point limit is shared within the scoring cycle—if you run a red light on a motorcycle and get caught, your C license points will also be affected. If your original license is nearing expiration, remember to renew it promptly after obtaining the motorcycle endorsement, otherwise the newly added vehicle types will become invalid once the old license expires.
