What Documents Are Required to Drive a Large Truck?
3 Answers
To drive a large truck, you need a truck driver's vocational qualification certificate, an operating license for commercial vehicles, compulsory vehicle insurance, and a vehicle license. Below is a related introduction: 1. Large trucks refer to heavy and medium-duty cargo vehicles. Heavy-duty cargo vehicles have a length of 6 meters or more and a total mass of 12,000 kg or more, while medium-duty cargo vehicles have a length of 6 meters or more and a total mass between 4,500 kg and 12,000 kg. 2. According to the 'Motor Vehicle Registration Regulations of the People's Republic of China,' cargo vehicles are classified into four types: heavy-duty, medium-duty, light-duty, and mini. Heavy-duty and medium-duty cargo vehicles are issued large truck license plates (commonly known as yellow plates), while light-duty and mini cargo vehicles are issued small truck license plates (commonly known as blue plates).
Driving large vehicles requires a specialized license. For example, operating trucks or buses typically requires an A2 or B2 license. When helping a friend learn to drive, I found out that you must first enroll in a formal driving school for training, studying theory and safe driving skills. The exams include traffic rules and practical driving, with roughly three or four subjects that all need to be passed. You must be at least 20 years old and pass a physical examination—it’s not as easy to obtain as a regular car license. After getting the license, you must remember to renew it periodically, approximately every six years; otherwise, you won’t be allowed on the road. It’s best to prepare for the costs in advance—training and exam fees combined can easily amount to several thousand yuan. Don’t cut corners by going to private instructors; the official route is safer and more reliable.
I've been driving large vehicles for several years, and based on experience, the main documents to carry are the driver's license along with the vehicle registration certificate in the car. Before driving, I habitually check the validity period of the driver's license and the annual inspection date of the registration certificate to avoid trouble during traffic police checks. For large trucks, it's also essential to ensure the vehicle insurance is complete. Once, I almost had my vehicle impounded for forgetting the insurance policy, but now digital records make it more convenient. Going through the various driving tests during training was quite challenging, but mastering the skills has made long-distance driving much smoother. Always keeping an eye on document expiration dates and developing good habits can significantly reduce risks.
