What is C1 and What is C2?
4 Answers
C1 is the manual transmission small car driver's license, while C2 is the automatic transmission small car driver's license. A C1 license allows driving both manual and automatic transmission vehicles, whereas a C2 license only permits driving automatic transmission vehicles and not manual ones. Driver's License Classifications: A1: Large buses and A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A2: Tractor vehicles and B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, M A3: City buses and C1, C2, C3, C4 B1: Medium-sized buses and C1, C2, C3, C4, M (Medium-sized buses refer to those with fewer than 19 seats, such as minibuses and vans) B2: Large trucks and C1, C2, C3, C4, M C1: Small cars and C2, C3 (Small cars refer to passenger vehicles with fewer than 9 seats, such as sedans) C2: Small automatic transmission cars C3: Low-speed trucks and C4 C4: Three-wheeled cars C5: Small automatic transmission passenger cars for disabled individuals (referring to five categories of people: those with right lower limb disabilities, both lower limb disabilities, hearing impairments, missing right thumb, or finger end defects) D: Regular three-wheeled motorcycles and E E: Regular two-wheeled motorcycles and F F: Light motorcycles M: Wheeled self-propelled machinery N: Trolleybuses P: Trams
When I first got my driver's license, I couldn't tell the difference between C1 and C2 either, but I figured it out later. C1 is a manual transmission license, requiring you to learn clutch control and gear shifting. It can be used for driving both small cars and light trucks, with more test items and higher difficulty. C2 is specifically for automatic transmission vehicles, eliminating the need to worry about clutch and gears. Nowadays, most beginners choose this option as it's easier to pass the test quickly. However, the C1 license offers better versatility—once obtained, you can drive both manual and automatic vehicles, whereas C2 restricts you to automatic transmission only. It depends on your needs: if you're certain you'll only drive automatic cars in the future, C2 is much more convenient; if you want to drive manual transmission or work in transportation, then you must take the C1 test. Nowadays, driving schools will ask you to choose the type before registration, so don't get it wrong.
During my years as a driving instructor, I've taught countless students the difference between C1 and C2 licenses. Simply put, a C1 license allows you to drive small manual transmission vehicles, requiring practice in clutch-gas coordination and gear shifting during training. A C2 license permits driving small automatic transmission cars, where you never need to touch the clutch pedal - just focus on steering and brake/accelerator operation. The C2 test has three fewer items: no hill start, no 100-meter gear shifting, and no bumpy road driving. Since most family cars today are automatic, about 70% of students directly enroll in C2 classes, especially suitable for office workers who want to get licensed quickly. However, be aware that if you get a C2 license but later want to drive manual transmission vehicles, you'll need to retake both the second and third driving tests, which can be quite troublesome.
When my child was getting a driver's license last year, we specifically researched the differences between C1 and C2. The C1 license allows driving manual transmission cars and small trucks, requiring control of the clutch and gear shift during training. The C2 is specifically for automatic transmission cars, where you only need to manage the accelerator, brake, and steering wheel. My child ultimately chose C2 because it's much easier to learn, especially suitable for congested urban roads without frequent gear shifting. Nowadays, automatic transmission cars are everywhere, and even about 80% of driving school vehicles are automatic. As for the differences, the C1 license test is a few hundred yuan cheaper, but it requires practicing several additional skills and takes longer to obtain. It's advisable to think carefully before deciding whether you'll ever need to drive a manual transmission car in the future.
