What are the vehicle types permitted for an A1 license?
2 Answers
The vehicle types permitted for an A1 license include: large buses with more than 20 passengers, and passenger vehicles with a body length exceeding 6 meters must also use an A1 license. Other vehicle types permitted for an A1 license are: A3 (city buses), B1 (medium-sized buses), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). According to the appendix of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," the classification standards for driving licenses are divided into 16 categories: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D, E, F, M, N, and P. The Ministry of Public Security issued the "Regulations," further subdividing driving licenses into 15 categories, with new licenses to be replaced during annual inspections or reviews. C1 license: Many people think that a C1 license only allows driving small vehicles with 7 seats or fewer. However, the vehicle types permitted for a C1 license are small vehicles with 9 seats or fewer and a body length not exceeding 6 meters. Vehicles like Jinbei and Ruifeng, as long as they have no more than 9 seats and a body length not exceeding 6 meters, can be driven with a C1 license. Other vehicle types permitted for a C1 license are C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), and C4 (three-wheeled cars). C2 license: The C2 license is also one of the more common licenses. It only permits driving automatic transmission cars with 9 seats or fewer and a body length not exceeding 6 meters. It is important to note that a C2 license does not permit driving manual transmission vehicles. B1 license: The vehicle types permitted for a B1 license are medium-sized buses, defined as medium-sized passenger vehicles not exceeding 6 meters in length, with a rated passenger capacity of 10 (inclusive) to 19 (inclusive). Other permitted vehicle types are C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). The B1 license does not include B2 among its permitted vehicle types. B2 license: The vehicle types permitted for a B2 license are heavy, medium-sized cargo trucks or large, heavy, and medium-sized specialized operation vehicles. Heavy and medium-sized cargo trucks are mostly trucks, such as the large dump trucks commonly seen on roads, which fall under the category of heavy trucks. Other permitted vehicle types for a B2 license are C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery), which is the same as the B1 license. A2 license: The vehicle types permitted for an A2 license are tractor-trailers. Only drivers with an A2 license can drive tractor-trailers; even drivers with an A1 license cannot. Other vehicle types permitted for an A2 license are B1 (medium-sized buses), B2 (large trucks), C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), C4 (three-wheeled cars), and M (wheeled self-propelled machinery). A3 license: The A3 license is somewhat special. Its permitted vehicle type is the commonly used city bus. Other permitted vehicle types are only C1 (small cars), C2 (small automatic transmission cars), C3 (low-speed cargo trucks), and C4 (three-wheeled cars). This license does not permit driving B1 or B2 vehicle types. Although city buses and large passenger vehicles look similar, and some city buses may even be longer, an A3 license does not permit driving large passenger vehicles.
I've been driving large buses for over ten years, and with an A1 license, I can operate many types of vehicles. Large buses are the main ones, such as tourist coaches or long-distance buses, all over six meters in length with high passenger capacity. Driving these vehicles daily requires extra attention to turns and braking due to their large size and strong inertia, which can easily lead to issues. Operating city buses is also within the scope of an A1 license, requiring precise stops at stations to avoid inconveniencing passengers. It also includes medium-sized buses like the Coaster, suitable for business use. When obtaining the A1 license, I learned many skills, with reverse parking being the most challenging—it took a lot of practice to master. Safety is paramount; driving large vehicles carries heavy responsibility, so I always check tires, lights, and the braking system before each trip to ensure no hidden risks. In rainy conditions, I reduce speed, and with many passengers onboard, sudden acceleration is especially risky. Overall, the A1 license is quite versatile, allowing me to drive B1 and B2 category vehicles as well, but it’s important not to exceed the permitted scope to avoid violations. Earning this license was definitely worth it.
