What is the difference between additional driving license and direct examination?
2 Answers
Both follow the same examination registration process, but there are differences. Below are the specific details: 1. Main differences: Additional driving license requires taking the exam twice and paying two fees. Directly applying for a B2 license does not require the C1 registration fee. Moreover, upgrading from C1 to B2 requires that the C1 license has been held for at least one year, with no more than 12 penalty points, no speeding, drunk driving, or other major violations before applying for the B2 upgrade. 2. Differences between C1 and B2: The minimum age for application differs—C1 applicants must be at least 18 years old, while B2 applicants must be at least 21. The types of vehicles allowed to drive also differ. C1 license holders can drive: C1 small cars, C2 small automatic transmission cars, C3 low-speed trucks, and C4 three-wheeled vehicles. 3. Examination location differences: C1 applicants can register for the exam at any local vehicle management office, while B2 applicants must register at the vehicle management office in their registered residence.
The biggest difference between upgrading a license and obtaining one directly lies in whether you start with an existing license or from scratch. Having driven with a C license for decades, I recently decided to upgrade to a B2 license to drive heavy trucks. The entire process was much simpler than obtaining a license directly because I already knew how to drive—no need to learn basic driving skills from scratch. I only had to review theoretical courses, and the test merely involved additional practice with larger vehicle models, saving both time and money. My friend, who obtained a B license directly, had a tougher time, spending months learning basic operations like steering and starting, and facing stricter exams. I feel upgrading is much faster, ideal for experienced drivers looking to switch to larger vehicles. But for beginners, obtaining a license directly builds a stronger foundation. Government regulations also differ: upgrading requires holding a license for at least one year, stricter age limits, and no reckless behavior; direct applications are open to anyone, provided they pass health checks. In short, upgrading is quicker based on experience, but starting from scratch ensures a more solid foundation—it depends on whether you already have driving experience.
