What is required to upgrade from a C2 to a C1 driver's license?
2 Answers
Conditions for upgrading from a C2 to a C1 driver's license: You need to hold a C2 driver's license, provide your ID card, and a health certificate. Apply at the vehicle management office that issued your C2 license. You must undergo study and pass the exams to be eligible for a C1 driver's license. If you already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and wish to add a new vehicle class, you must not have accumulated 12 penalty points in the current scoring cycle or the most recent scoring cycle before applying. C1 driver's license exam: The exam consists of four sections: traffic regulations and related knowledge, field driving, road driving, and safe and civilized driving knowledge. Passing standards: Traffic regulations and related knowledge (Subject 1) – Written test, scored out of 100, with 90 or above required to pass. Field driving (Subject 2) – Conducted on-site with an actual vehicle. The minimum passing score is 80; scores below 80 are failing. Road driving (Subject 3) – Conducted on highways or simulated fields with an actual vehicle. Scored out of 100, with 90 or above required to pass. Safe and civilized driving knowledge – Written test, featuring questions in the form of case studies, images, and animations. Question types include true/false, single-choice, and multiple-choice, totaling 50 questions. Scored out of 100, with 90 or above required to pass.
I used to help students upgrade their driver's licenses at a driving school, and the transition from C2 to C1 is quite common. You'll need to retake both the second and third driving tests because manual transmission requires higher operational skills, such as clutch control, gear shifting, and hill starts—these details require several weeks of practice. I've seen many people stall multiple times during practice. The key is to spend time with a qualified instructor rather than trying to save money by practicing on your own. The cost typically ranges from one to two thousand yuan, covering exam and service fees. You also need to meet physical requirements, like passing the vision test. Mastering these skills not only allows you to drive more types of vehicles but also improves your overall driving ability. I recommend booking the driving school early to avoid forgetting what you've learned over time. Remember, be patient and take it step by step—passing the test isn’t that hard.
