What are the requirements for applying for an A1 driver's license?
3 Answers
According to Article 12 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," applicants for a motor vehicle driver's license must meet the following conditions: Height: At least 155 cm; Vision: Naked or corrected vision in both eyes must reach 5.0 or above on the logarithmic visual acuity chart; Color vision: No red-green color blindness; Hearing: Ability to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear at a distance of 50 cm from a tuning fork; Upper limbs: Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have at least three other fingers intact, with normal limb and finger movement functions; Lower limbs: Both lower limbs must be intact with normal movement functions, and the length difference must not exceed 5 cm; Torso and neck: No movement dysfunction; Age requirement: Applicants for large passenger vehicle licenses must be between 26 and 50 years old. An A1 driver's license can only be obtained through license upgrading and cannot be applied for directly like a C1 or B2 license. Class A driver's licenses can be subdivided into A1, A2, and A3. The differences among A1, A2, and A3 licenses lie in their application requirements and the types of vehicles they permit, especially the application method. A1 and A2 licenses cannot be applied for directly like C1; applicants must start with a C1 license and upgrade to A3, B1, or B2 before gradually upgrading to A1 or A2. To apply for an A1 license, applicants must have held an A3 or B1 license for at least five years and have no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in any of the last five scoring cycles. For those holding a B2 license, the minimum upgrading period can be reduced from five years to three years, provided they have no record of a full 12-point penalty in the corresponding scoring cycles. The most common path starts with a C1 license, which must first be upgraded to A3, B1, or B2 before upgrading to A1. Applicants must have held an A3, B1, or B2 license for at least five years and have no record of accumulating 12 penalty points in the current or the last five consecutive scoring cycles. For those upgrading from A3, B1, or B2 to A2 and then to A1, the requirements are: holding an A2 license for at least two years and having no record of a full 12-point penalty in the previous scoring cycle. The permitted vehicle types for an A1 license include: An A1 license allows driving large passenger vehicles with more than 20 seats, as well as passenger vehicles with a body length exceeding 6 meters. Other permitted vehicle types under an 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 trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery).
As a young person who just got my driver's license, let me talk to you about the requirements for applying for an A1 driver's license. The most basic requirement is that you must be at least 21 years old, not too young; you also need to have another driver's license first, such as B1 or B2, and have held it for at least two years to accumulate experience and prevent accidents caused by inexperienced drivers operating large vehicles. The physical examination is quite strict as well: your vision must be 5.0 or above, with no red-green color blindness or severe myopia; you also need to undergo a health check to ensure good hearing, normal blood pressure, and no major health issues. When registering, you must submit documents at the local vehicle management office to prove your driving experience and health status. The theoretical exam isn't easy either—you need to understand knowledge about operating passenger vehicles, such as how buses turn and park; the practical training is very useful. I've seen driving schools use large buses for practice, and the instructors are quite strict. These requirements are all for road safety, as large passenger vehicles carry many people, and accidents can have severe consequences. If you pass, the job prospects are good—driving tour buses or school buses offers high income. I'm considering applying next year. Keep it up, friend!
As a veteran driver with nearly twenty years of experience, I often get asked about obtaining an A1 driver's license. The application requirements are non-negotiable: you must be at least 21 years old. In terms of existing licenses, you need to have a Class B or Class C license first. For example, someone like me with a B2 license must wait two years before applying, mainly to ensure stable driving experience. The medical examination is the most critical step—your vision must meet the standard, preferably 5.0 or above in both eyes, and your height and weight should be proportionate to ensure good health. Most importantly, you must have a clean driving record with no history of drunk driving or major accidents, and excessive traffic violations are also disqualifying. After applying, the training process includes theoretical classes and practical driving lessons, covering how to operate buses and handle emergencies. Back in my day, it took me over ten practice sessions to pass the road test. Why are the requirements so strict? Driving a large bus is far more challenging than a small car, with dozens of passengers' lives in your hands. The government sets these thresholds for public safety. My advice to aspiring applicants is to consult a driving school in advance—don’t rush into it. Safety should always come first.
