Is it necessary to upgrade to an A1 license at the age of 43?
2 Answers
Upgrading to an A1 license at the age of 43 is not about necessity but rather about need. Below are specific details about the A1 license: Definition: The A1 driving license permits the operation of buses with a seating capacity of more than 20 passengers, as well as passenger vehicles with a body length exceeding 6 meters, which also require an A1 license. Other vehicle types: Additional vehicle types covered under the A1 license include A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized passenger vehicles), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo vehicles), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). Only the A2 license permits driving fully-trailered and semi-trailered tractors; the A1 license does not cover these.
I've been driving trucks for 20 years and just upgraded to an A1 license last year. If you're currently engaged in long-distance freight or bus driving, obtaining an A1 license can indeed open up more job opportunities. Driving tourist coaches can increase your salary by 1,000 to 2,000 yuan, but at 43, you need to do the math first: training fees typically range from 7,000 to 8,000 yuan, and you'll need to take two to three months off work for training. If you already have a B2 license for at least five years with no major violations and pass the physical exam, it's quite worthwhile to get it before turning 50. However, if you only drive passenger cars, upgrading your license isn't very meaningful, as it requires additional annual physical exams.
