What Driver's License is Required for a Rescue Tow Truck?
2 Answers
Rescue tow trucks are specialized operation vehicles, and a B2 driver's license is required. The types of driver's licenses and the corresponding permitted vehicle categories are as follows: 1. A1 (Large Bus): Permitted vehicles: Large passenger vehicles. Other permitted vehicle categories: A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 2. A2 (Tractor): Heavy and medium-sized full trailers and semi-trailers. Other permitted vehicle categories: B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 3. A3 (City Bus): Permitted vehicles: City buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers. Other permitted vehicle categories: C1, C2, C3, C4. 4. B1 (Medium Bus): Permitted vehicles: Medium passenger vehicles (including city buses with a capacity of 10 to 19 passengers). Other permitted vehicle categories: C1, C2, C3, C4, M. 5. B2 (Large Truck): Permitted vehicles: Heavy and medium-sized trucks; heavy and medium-sized specialized operation vehicles. 6. C1 (Small Car): Permitted vehicles: Small and micro passenger vehicles; light and micro trucks; light and micro specialized operation vehicles. Other permitted vehicle categories: C2, C3, C4. 7. C2 (Small Automatic Transmission Car): Permitted vehicles: Small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles; light and micro automatic transmission trucks. 8. C3 (Low-Speed Truck): Permitted vehicles: Low-speed trucks. Other permitted vehicle categories: C4. 10. C4 (Three-Wheeled Car): Permitted vehicles: Three-wheeled cars. 11. D (Regular Three-Wheeled Motorcycle): Permitted vehicles: Three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml or a maximum design speed greater than 50km/h. Other permitted vehicle categories: E, F. 12. E (Regular Two-Wheeled Motorcycle): Permitted vehicles: Two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml or a maximum design speed greater than 50km/h. 13. F (Light Motorcycle): Permitted vehicles: Motorcycles with an engine displacement less than or equal to 50ml and a maximum design speed less than or equal to 50km/h.
Operating a rescue tow truck requires a specialized driver's license type. For example, in China, a regular C1 car license won't suffice—you need to upgrade to a B2 or A2 license. This is because rescue tow trucks are typically heavy and challenging to maneuver. If the gross vehicle weight exceeds 4,500 kg, an A2 license is mandatory; for medium-sized tow trucks, a B2 license is usually sufficient. Improper operation can easily lead to accidents, such as losing control during turns or unstable towing, endangering yourself or others. I once saw a novice driver attempt to operate a tow truck with just a C1 license—not only did they get fined by traffic police, but they also nearly rolled the vehicle. I recommend checking local traffic regulations, as some provinces or cities may require additional training or exams. Never overlook this—safety comes first. Towing work is no joke, so make sure you're fully qualified before taking it on.
