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

[Hawthorne]

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.

[AbigailDella]

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.

[FernandoFitz]

I just got my C1 driver's license recently and was thinking about riding a motorcycle. To upgrade to an A license, I need to first study the theory and then practice motorcycle skills. The instructor said since I already know the traffic rules, it can save a lot of time, taking only about three weeks to complete. If I take the test directly, I would have to learn everything from scratch, from subject one to subject four, with a minimum of two months required. There's also a big difference in cost: upgrading costs a little over two thousand, while taking the test directly starts at four thousand because it includes all the training. Personally, I think upgrading is more cost-effective, but if you don't have a driver's license yet, it's better to take the test directly and not take shortcuts for convenience. There's also the safety factor: after upgrading, driving is more stable because I've practiced road sense; newbies taking the test directly are more prone to accidents and need to slowly gain experience. The key is not to make the wrong choice—check the license type first, as motorcycles and cars have different rules, which affects the convenience of urban travel.

[VonOlivia]

Adding a license means expanding your driving privileges to include new vehicle types based on existing experience; direct testing involves obtaining a license from scratch by passing all required exams. The key differences lie in procedure and difficulty: adding a license only requires supplementary theory and road tests for the new vehicle type, making the process faster; direct testing covers complete driving theory, practical training, and comprehensive assessments. Time investment varies significantly: adding a license typically takes weeks, while direct testing may require months. Case studies I've seen show cost differences—adding a license saves up to half the expense by avoiding repetitive basic training. A potential advantage is that experienced drivers can start working sooner, such as in freight transport; however, direct testing for beginners builds a stronger foundation. Remember legal requirements: those adding a license must have a valid driver's license and meet minimum driving experience criteria. In summary, adding a license is efficient for those with existing qualifications, while inexperienced individuals should opt for direct testing to comprehensively learn driving skills.