What are the requirements for upgrading from C1 to A3?

[Kara]

Requirements for upgrading to A3 are as follows: Age: Must be at least 21 years old Residency: Training must be completed in the place of residence (within the prefecture-level city of household registration), and cannot be done in a temporary residence. If the original driver's license is from another region, it must be transferred back to the original place of residence for training. Physical conditions: For large vehicles, height must be at least 1.55 meters; A3 requires corrected visual acuity of 5.0. Must have held a C1 driver's license for at least one year. No record of accumulating 12 penalty points in a single scoring cycle. C1 Driver's License: The C1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driving licenses. The C1 license permits driving small and mini passenger vehicles, light and mini cargo vehicles, as well as light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles. Small passenger vehicles must have a seating capacity of 9 or fewer. Application Age: The minimum age requirement for a C1 driver's license is 18 years old, with no upper age limit. However, applicants over 70 years old must pass tests for memory, judgment, and reaction abilities.

[VonWalter]

From my driving experience, there are several mandatory requirements for upgrading to an A3 driver's license. You must be at least 21 years old, which is the minimum age required by regulations. I need to hold a C1 license for at least one year before applying—shorter periods aren’t acceptable, as it’s necessary to prove basic driving familiarity. The physical examination is another major requirement, with higher vision standards than C1: uncorrected or corrected visual acuity must be 0.8 or above, normal hearing, and no serious health issues, given the higher risks of driving buses with passengers. The test consists of three parts: a theory exam on traffic rules and bus knowledge, a field driving test simulating bus turns and reversing, and an on-road driving test handling urban traffic. The entire process usually takes two to three months. Enrolling in a certified driving school is the fastest route—costly but increases success odds. Upgrading promptly can open up new job opportunities, such as bus driver positions.

[MacNova]

I just upgraded to an A3 license last year, sharing my personal experience. To upgrade from a C1 license, you need to be at least 21 years old—I applied only after my birthday. Secondly, sufficient driving experience is required, with at least one year of holding a C1 license; mine just met the one-year mark. Then comes the physical examination, where the vision test is stricter. Since I'm nearsighted, I passed by wearing glasses, and the health report must be qualified. The most challenging part was the practical test. I spent time at the driving school practicing bus operations, with the yard test including S-turns and parallel parking, while the road test assessed handling emergencies on real streets. The whole process took over a month and cost several thousand in tuition, but after passing, I drive with more confidence and find bus operations much easier. I recommend understanding the driving school procedures in advance and practicing more—don’t delay too long and forget what you’ve learned.

[SanArcher]

Safety comes first when driving a bus, and the conditions for upgrading to an A3 license primarily focus on risk prevention. I emphasize that the age must be over 21, as younger drivers lack experience and are more prone to accidents. Holding a C1 license for at least one year is a necessary accumulation period to ensure familiarity with basic vehicle operations. Physical examinations cannot be overlooked—vision must meet standards and hearing must be normal to reduce potential hazards, especially since buses carry large numbers of passengers, and any accident can have widespread consequences. The examination process is stringent: the theoretical test covers bus regulations, the field test simulates handling bus dimensions, and the road test evaluates performance in complex environments, filtering out unqualified candidates. In daily driving, upgrading entails greater responsibility but can lower accident rates. Community case studies show that these conditions effectively enhance the overall traffic safety network.