What are the requirements for applying for an A2 driver's license?
3 Answers
A2 driver's license cannot be obtained initially and can only be acquired through an additional driving qualification. The following are the conditions for additional qualification: Condition 1: Hold a (B1) medium-sized passenger vehicle or (B2) large truck driving qualification for more than three years, and have no full-point record in the two most recent scoring cycles before application. Condition 2: Or obtain a (A1) large passenger vehicle driving qualification for more than one year, and have no full-point record in the most recent scoring cycle before application. There are the following situations where you cannot apply for an additional A2 driving qualification: Situation 1: Causing a traffic accident resulting in death, bearing full or primary responsibility; driving under the influence of alcohol. Situation 2: Driving under the influence of alcohol within this scoring cycle and the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles before application. Situation 3: Driving a motor vehicle at a speed exceeding 50% of the prescribed speed limit within this scoring cycle and the three most recent consecutive scoring cycles before application.
My cousin just upgraded his license to A2 last year, and the experience he shared was that the requirements are quite strict. First, you must have held a B1, B2, or A3 license for at least two years—for example, if you originally had a Class B license for driving trucks, you need at least two years of driving experience. Second, you cannot have any record of accumulating 12 penalty points within the past two years, as the traffic department will pull your records for verification. Third, your age must be between 22 and 60—being too young or of retirement age disqualifies you. My cousin specifically mentioned that you can no longer directly test for an A2 license; you must go through the upgrade process and attend full-time training at a driving school. If you have a record of drunk driving accidents, it becomes even more troublesome, as driving schools might outright refuse to enroll you.
My driving school instructor told me that the most common hurdle for the A2 license test is the driving experience requirement. You must first have experience driving medium-sized vehicles, and holding a B1 or B2 license for at least two years is a mandatory criterion. The calculation is based on the initial issuance date on your driver's license, requiring a full 24 months—just claiming driving experience isn't enough. Also, remember that the total demerit points across two scoring cycles must not exceed 12. Many people rush to handle traffic violations at year-end, which can affect their application. The medical check-up is stricter than for regular licenses—those with myopia over 500 degrees should be cautious. When applying, don't forget to bring your original driver's license and medical examination report, and prepare several recent white-background photos.
