What is the age requirement for obtaining an A3 driver's license?
3 Answers
The age requirement for applying for an A3 driver's license is between 21 and 50 years old. The applicant must be at least 155 cm tall, have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart, no red-green color blindness, be able to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear at a distance of 50 cm from a tuning fork, and have sound limbs. The difference between driver's licenses lies in the types of vehicles they permit. According to the "Motor Vehicle Driver's License Business Work Regulations" issued by the relevant authorities, motor vehicle driver's licenses are classified into a hierarchical system, dividing them into 15 levels: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, P. Class A licenses are for large passenger vehicles, Class B licenses are for large trucks, and Class C licenses are for small cars. Class A is further subdivided into A1, A2, and A3. Class B is subdivided into B1 and B2. Class C is subdivided into C1, C2, C3, and C4. Holders of a Class A license can drive not only large passenger vehicles but also large trucks and small cars. The permitted vehicle types for each class of driver's license are as follows: A1 license: Permits driving large passenger vehicles; A2 license: Permits driving tractors, heavy and medium-duty full trailers, and semi-trailer combinations; A3 license: Permits driving city buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers; B1 license: Permits driving heavy passenger vehicles; B2 license: Permits driving heavy and medium-duty trucks, etc.; C1 license: Permits driving small and mini passenger vehicles, etc.; C2 license: Permits driving small and mini automatic transmission passenger vehicles, etc.; C3 license: Permits driving low-speed trucks (formerly four-wheel agricultural transport vehicles); C4 license: Permits driving three-wheeled cars (formerly three-wheeled agricultural transport vehicles); D license: Permits driving three-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml; E license: Permits driving two-wheeled motorcycles with an engine displacement greater than 50ml; F license: Permits driving motorcycles with an engine displacement of 50ml or less; M license: Permits driving wheeled self-propelled machinery; N license: Permits driving trolleybuses; P license: Permits driving trams.
Obtaining an A3 driver's license refers to a license for driving urban buses in China, with the mandatory age requirement of at least 20 years old as stipulated by Chinese regulations. Having driven for many years, I understand that this 20-year-old requirement is actually quite reasonable. After all, buses carry dozens of passengers, involving tremendous responsibility, and young drivers with insufficient experience are more prone to accidents. When applying for the license, one must first undergo a physical examination to ensure good health, followed by passing both theoretical and practical driving tests, which are particularly stringent and include simulated bus driving scenarios. The age of 20 is just when people start to mature and can calmly handle emergencies. It's advisable for beginners to start with a regular car driver's license and wait until they reach the appropriate age to learn for the A3 license, which is both safer and more practical. The training process requires time to master skills like turning and parking, and after passing the test, one can start working as an urban bus driver. However, it's important to note that individuals over 60 years old are no longer eligible to newly apply for this license.
Speaking of the age requirement for an A3 driver's license, as an experienced bus driver, I think the regulation of being over 20 years old is quite reasonable. Driving a bus is no joke—you face complex road conditions and passenger safety every day, so being at least 20 ensures greater mental and physical maturity. In terms of the process, you must be 20 or older to enroll in a driving school, prepare a medical fitness certificate, and then pass theoretical exams covering traffic rules, as well as a practical driving test that includes bus stop procedures and emergency handling. Safety considerations come first, and setting the age too low would increase risks. In practice, you can start by gaining experience with private vehicles or consulting driving schools. Once you pass the exams, you can legally drive a bus. Maintaining the license also requires regular medical check-ups to avoid negligence.
