What is the difference between additional driving license and direct examination?

[MacWilliam]

The difference between additional driving license and direct examination lies in the different applicable situations and the requirements for obtaining a driver's license. The following are detailed explanations: Different applicable situations: The situations applicable to additional driving license and direct examination are not the same. For example, if a driver already has a driving license and wants to expand the scope of permitted vehicle types, they can only do so through additional driving license. However, if they do not have a driver's license, they can choose direct examination based on the application requirements. For instance, if someone already holds a C license and wants to drive a motorcycle, they must obtain an additional D license. But if they originally do not have a driver's license, they can directly obtain a D license. Different requirements for obtaining a driver's license: Certain high-level driver's licenses, such as the A1 license, explicitly stipulate that they cannot be obtained through direct examination and can only be obtained through additional driving license.

[LaTimothy]

I've been driving for several years and recently upgraded to a heavy vehicle license, which feels completely different from getting a license directly. The upgrade allows me to add a new vehicle type based on my existing car license, only requiring tests on the specific operations and road tests for heavy vehicles, without having to relearn all the basic traffic rules, saving a lot of time. When I first got my car license directly, I had to start from scratch with written tests, parallel parking, and so on, which was exhausting. The upgrade is more efficient and quicker to get the hang of, but you have to pay attention to the driving habits of the new vehicle type, like the larger turning radius of heavy vehicles and higher safety risks, so more practice is necessary. If experienced friends want to learn a new vehicle type, I recommend the upgrade route, provided you already have a license foundation—don’t skip levels directly, as it’s easy to make mistakes.

[DeAdriana]

I just got my driver's license, directly for the C1 category, starting from scratch as a beginner. First, I studied the theory and took the written test, then the road test included parallel parking, lane changes, etc., which took two or three months to complete. If it were an additional license upgrade, it might be easier, provided you already have a license. The difference is that an upgrade targets new vehicle types with additional test content, saving time and effort; a direct test requires full coverage of basic knowledge, which is time-consuming but builds a solid foundation for safe driving. I think it's beneficial for beginners to take the direct test—ensuring safety first—rather than rushing into an upgrade that could cause problems.

[Reyes]

Adding a driving license category means adding a new qualification to your existing license, such as upgrading from a car to a truck; the test may only cover the new category's operations. A direct test is for first-time license applicants and includes all aspects, such as written and road tests. The main difference lies in the starting requirements: adding a category requires an existing license background and has a narrower test scope, while a direct test starts from scratch to ensure a solid driving foundation.

[StDylan]

My child is about to get a driver's license, and we discussed whether to take the test directly or upgrade it later. Starting from scratch as a beginner ensures a more solid foundation, but it takes longer and costs more. If he upgrades after obtaining a car license, the test is simplified, and the learning process is quicker and more convenient. However, the risk lies in insufficient experience, making safety hard to guarantee. It's suggested that young people first obtain a car license directly, get familiar with driving, and then consider upgrading more prudently, avoiding rushing for quick success.