What are the requirements for upgrading from C1 to B1 driver's license?
3 Answers
The requirements for upgrading from C1 to B1 driver's license are as follows: You must have held a C1 driver's license for more than three years, be between 21 and 50 years old, and have no record of being deducted the full 12 points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before applying for the B1 license. Below is relevant information about upgrading a driver's license: 1. Upgrade matters: To upgrade a driver's license, you must have a local household registration where you intend to upgrade, and the issuing authority of your driver's license must also be local. If you do not have a local household registration and local driver's license relationship, the upgrade will not be processed, and you must transfer the relationship. All types of driver's licenses require the completion of the probationary period before they can be upgraded. 2. Scoring cycle: After adding a new permitted driving category and obtaining a new driver's license, the validity period of the driver's license will not be recalculated. Additionally, the scoring cycle always starts from the initial issuance date of the original driver's license. It is important to note that during the probationary period after the upgrade, if the driver's license has a record of accumulating 12 points, the probationary driving qualification for the upgraded category will be revoked.
I just upgraded my license from C1 to B1, and the experience was quite memorable. You have to be at least 21 years old and hold a C1 license for at least one year—I waited until I met the driving experience requirement before taking action. The physical examination is a crucial step; your vision must be 0.8 or better, and you must be in good health overall. I went to a designated hospital in advance for the check-up, which saved me a lot of time. After registering, I had to study the B1 theory exam rules from scratch. I spent a week practicing mock tests, and the content was a bit more complex than the C1 exam. The road test was the most challenging part—practicing turns and parking in a medium-sized bus. I hired a coach for extra sessions and took over ten practice rounds before passing. The whole process cost me a few thousand yuan and took two to three months, but upgrading to a B1 license allows me to drive buses and find better job opportunities, which makes it totally worth it. Just remember to choose a reputable driving school and don’t go for cheap options.
I often help people prepare for driving license tests. The basic requirements for upgrading from C1 to B1 are clear: you must be over 21 years old, and having held a C1 license for at least 12 months is a mandatory threshold. Passing the physical examination is essential—both vision and hearing must meet the standards. I've seen many trainees overlook this and get stuck halfway through the exam. Both the theoretical and road tests must be retaken, with the road test focusing on passenger vehicle control. For instance, I recommend practicing reversing and hill starts more—don’t take it lightly. A clean safety record is also important, with no major violations in the past year. When assisting trainees, I always emphasize patient preparation. The cost is around 3,000 RMB, and upon completion, there are more life opportunities, but with greater responsibility, driving must be steady.
