What are the differences between C1 and C2?
2 Answers
The main difference lies in the types of vehicles they permit to drive. A C1 license holder can drive vehicles permitted by C2, but a C2 license holder cannot drive vehicles permitted by C1. Holders of a C1 license can drive vehicles permitted by C2, C3, and C4. Below are the specific differences in the types of vehicles permitted: 1. Vehicles permitted by C1 include: light ordinary trucks with a length not less than 5 meters, or small ordinary passenger vehicles with a length not less than 4 meters, or cars with a length not less than 4 meters. 2. Vehicles permitted by C2 include: light automatic transmission ordinary trucks with a length not less than 5 meters, or small automatic transmission ordinary passenger vehicles with a length not less than 4 meters, or automatic transmission cars with a length not less than 4 meters.
I think the difference between C1 and C2 is quite obvious. A C1 driver's license allows you to drive manual transmission cars, which require operating the clutch and shifting gears manually. It offers more driving fun but is prone to stalling and can be a bit troublesome, especially when parallel parking while also managing gear shifts—it's quite challenging for beginners. C2 is specifically for automatic transmission cars, where you only need to press the accelerator and brake, making it quick and hassle-free to learn. Having driven for over 20 years, I can say most people now prefer C2 because it’s less tiring in heavy city traffic without the need to shift gears. However, the limitation of C2 is that you can’t drive manual cars, which might be inconvenient if you ever need to borrow a friend’s manual car. So, my advice is: if you have time and seek driving enjoyment, go for C1; otherwise, C2 is more than enough for daily commuting. Additionally, the pass rate for C1 exams is lower, and retakes cost both money and time, whereas C2 can usually be passed in one or two attempts, making it a cost-effective choice.
