What is the difference between a C1 and C2 driver's license?
2 Answers
c1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driver's licenses; the permitted driving scope of a C1 driver's license includes small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles; light, small, and micro special operation vehicles; small passenger vehicles with a seating capacity of 9 or fewer. c2 driver's license is for small automatic transmission vehicles. Compared to the C1 driver's license, the C2 has the additional condition of being for automatic transmission. Therefore, a C2 driver's license only permits driving small vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions (AT, CVT, DCT, AMT) and does not allow driving small vehicles with manual transmissions (MT). The difference between C1 and C2 lies in the type of vehicle used for training and testing. C1 is for manual transmission small vehicle licenses, while C2 is for automatic transmission small vehicle licenses. A C1 license allows driving both small manual and automatic transmission vehicles, whereas a C2 license only permits driving small automatic transmission vehicles.
When I was getting my driver's license, I decisively chose the C2 license because it didn't require learning the hassle of operating the clutch and shifting gears. The test just involved stepping on the brake and accelerator, which was super straightforward. For someone like me who tends to be a bit clumsy, the C2 license was a breeze—no worries about stalling on a slope or getting scolded by the instructor. The C1 license, on the other hand, was a lot more complicated. You had to learn hill starts from scratch, and if you weren't familiar with the controls, you'd fail the test. Plus, it cost thousands more and took several extra weeks. After getting my license, I found that with a C2, I could only drive automatic cars. Nowadays, most cars on the road are automatic, making it comfortable for daily commutes—just step on the pedal in traffic jams. But if I wanted to drive a friend's old manual car, I'd be out of luck, which is a bit inconvenient. Choosing between the two depends on whether you prioritize ease or being prepared for any situation. Either way, driving safely is the most important thing.
