Is there a difference between upgrading to a C1 license and obtaining a C1 license for the first time?
3 Answers
Applying for a driver's license for the first time means that the applicant either has no previous driver's license or their previous license has been canceled or revoked, and there is no currently valid driver's license under their name. In contrast, upgrading a driver's license refers to the situation where the applicant already has a valid driver's license under their name and wishes to obtain additional driving qualifications. Relevant information about driver's licenses is as follows: 1. Introduction: The People's Republic of China Motor Vehicle Driver's License, commonly referred to as a driver's license or 'driver's permit,' is a mandatory certification for motor vehicle drivers, established in accordance with the laws of the People's Republic of China. 2. Examination Content: The test subjects include traffic regulations and related knowledge, field driving, and road driving (including safe and civilized driving), totaling three items.
Just found out the other day when accompanying my cousin to apply for an additional license that there are quite noticeable differences between adding a C1 license and taking the test for the first time. Adding a license means you already have another driver's license, such as a motorcycle D license or a light truck C2 license, and now you want to upgrade to drive a car. In terms of the process, adding a license doesn't require retaking the subject one test, but the new license must be merged with the original one. My cousin used to ride a motorcycle, and when he added the C1 license, the DMV directly added the C1 type to the back of his original license. The training time is also shorter—his driving school's additional license class had ten fewer lessons than the regular class. However, the road test standards are exactly the same; you still have to navigate the S-curve. If your old license is about to expire, adding a license can also be an opportunity to renew it, saving you a trip to the DMV.
Coach Wang from the driving school told me that students applying for an additional license generally pick up skills quickly, as they already have a driving foundation. However, they tend to be careless with traffic rules. Last week, he trained a student who was used to driving a tricycle and often forgot to signal when turning. Although the test procedures for Subject 2 and Subject 3 are the same, those applying for an additional license must wait until their probationary period is over before they can register. They also need to bring an extra copy of their original driver's license, and during the review, any pending traffic violations will be checked. The most troublesome part is applying for an additional license in a different location. For example, if I obtained my E license in Anhui and want to upgrade to a C1 license in Jiangsu, I would need to transfer my records. Although nationwide processing is now available, a new medical examination form is still required.
