What are the requirements for upgrading from A1 to A2 license?
4 Answers
A1 to A2 license upgrade requires the A1 license holder to have completed a one-year probationary period, with no record of accumulating 12 penalty points during the A1 license cycle. Introduction to A2 license: The A2 license permits driving tractor-trailers. Holders of a valid A2 license issued by China's public traffic police vehicle management authorities can operate heavy and medium-sized full trailers and semi-trailer combinations. It also allows driving vehicles permitted under B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, and M license categories. Introduction to A1 license: The A1 license covers commonly seen buses carrying over 20 passengers, as well as passenger vehicles exceeding 6 meters in length. Other vehicle types permitted under A1 license include: A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized buses), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed trucks), C4 (three-wheeled vehicles), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). Only A2 license holders can operate full trailers and semi-trailers, which A1 license holders cannot drive.
Having been a coach for so many years, I've seen plenty of students wanting to upgrade from A1 to A2. First, you need to check if you've driven large buses for at least two years. That's a hard requirement. And during these two years, make sure you don't accumulate 12 penalty points—not even once! Age is another hurdle; you must be between 24 and 50 years old. Your physical condition must also meet the standards, including vision and hearing. If all these are fine, then get ready for the exams. There's the theoretical test (Subject 1), the field test (Subject 2), and the road test (Subject 3)—you can't slack off on any of them. I recommend finding a reliable driving school for practice, especially since A2 involves driving articulated vehicles, which are quite challenging. Develop good driving habits in daily life—safety first. Before the exam, practice reversing and cornering more, as these are the tricky parts. Remember, a clean driving record is crucial—no accident liabilities allowed.
I just got my Class A2 license and want to share my experience. I had driven with a Class A1 license for two and a half years before applying for the upgrade, and you need to make sure you haven't had 12 points deducted during those two years. There are also age requirements for upgrading—you can't do it if you're over 50. After enrolling in driving school, I took a medical exam focusing on vision, color blindness, and hearing. The test was harder than the Class A1 exam, especially the reversing and hill-start sections. I recommend practicing more before the test and staying calm. The cost was around 4,000 to 5,000 RMB, plus the time off work, so plan ahead. Now that I'm driving a tractor-trailer, my income has increased, but so has the responsibility. The whole process took almost three months and went smoothly. Oh, and make sure to check the required documents with the local DMV in advance—don’t end up making a wasted trip like I did the first time. My instructor said the recent policies haven’t changed, so go ahead and take the test with confidence.
From a management perspective, there are clear conditions for upgrading from an A1 to an A2 license. Firstly, you must have held an A1 license for at least two years. There should be no record of full penalty points in the two consecutive scoring cycles prior to application. The applicant's age must be between 24 and 50 years old. Physical conditions must meet the requirements for driving a tractor, and a medical examination is required. Additionally, there must be no record of drunk driving or responsibility for major accidents. After meeting these conditions, you need to enroll in a driving school for training and pass three subject tests. Please note that the theoretical exam question bank has been updated, so remember to study the latest questions. Prepare all necessary documents to avoid unnecessary trips. After upgrading, the range of vehicles you can drive will be broader, but the safety responsibilities will also be greater.
