What are the requirements for upgrading from B2 to A1?
3 Answers
The requirements for upgrading from B2 to A1: 1. The applicant must be between 26 and 50 years old; 2. The applicant must have held a B2 driver's license for more than five years and must not have accumulated 12 or more penalty points in any of the five consecutive scoring cycles prior to the application. The A1 driver's license allows the holder to drive large buses that can carry more than 20 passengers, as well as passenger vehicles with a body length exceeding 6 meters. Other vehicle types that can be driven with an 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 cars, and M wheeled self-propelled machinery. Only an A2 license permits driving fully-trailed and semi-trailed tractors, which the A1 license does not cover.
Regarding the conditions for upgrading from a B2 to an A1 license, I need to clarify a few points. You must have held a B2 license for at least two years, with minimal traffic violations, especially ensuring you haven’t accumulated 12 penalty points in any two consecutive scoring cycles. The minimum age requirement is 24 years old, as driving large passenger vehicles carries significant responsibility, and younger drivers may lack sufficient experience, increasing the risk of accidents. A medical examination is also mandatory—your vision must be sharp enough to read road signs, hearing must be normal, and no major illnesses should affect your driving ability. The test includes a written exam on traffic regulations and a practical driving test, so ample practice is essential to pass smoothly. It’s advisable to prepare early, enroll in a reputable driving school for guidance, and avoid shortcuts like unlicensed agents to save both money and time. Safety comes first—every step must be taken seriously.
I just upgraded to an A1 license last year, the conditions weren't too complicated but required patience. I had held my B2 license for three years with a clean driving record and no major incidents. Once I turned 24, I passed the medical check-up with no issues. My violation record also showed no full-point deductions. I studied for a week and passed the written test on the first try, then took three practice sessions before acing the road test. The key requirements are holding the previous license for at least two years and checking your penalty point history in advance—some regions also require submitting a no-accident certificate. The cost was around 3,000 RMB, varying by location, so don't rush to pay. The whole process from application to receiving the new license took over two months. I recommend choosing a reputable driving school to avoid pitfalls—don't just sign up randomly.
