What is the difference between automatic transmission C1 and C2?
2 Answers
There are mainly the following differences between automatic transmission C1 and C2: 1. C1 allows driving both manual and automatic transmission vehicles, while C2 only permits driving automatic transmission vehicles. The Ministry of Public Security's Order No. 139, Appendix 1 clearly specifies the types of vehicles each can drive. C1 can drive all vehicle types that C2 is permitted to drive, but C2 may not be allowed to drive all vehicle types that C1 can. 2. C1 permits driving small and mini passenger cars, as well as light and mini cargo trucks; light and mini special-purpose vehicles. Other permitted vehicle types include C2, C3, and C4. 3. C2 permits driving small and mini automatic transmission passenger cars, as well as light and mini automatic transmission cargo trucks.
I've been driving for several years, and the main difference between C1 and C2 driver's licenses lies in driving flexibility. The C1 license allows you to drive both manual and automatic transmission cars. Driving a manual requires shifting gears and using the clutch, which is more complex but enables you to handle various vehicles. The C2 license only permits driving automatic transmission cars—just step on the gas and go, making it easy and straightforward. Automatic cars are becoming increasingly common, which is convenient for city driving. Learning for the C2 test is easier, and you can get the hang of it quickly. However, the downside is that you can't drive manual transmission cars at all. If you ever rent or borrow a manual car, you'll be in trouble. Although learning for the C1 license is more challenging, once you master it, you'll have no fears—you can even drive manual SUVs in remote areas. My advice for beginners is to choose C2 if you want convenience, otherwise, you might have to retake the test later, which would be a waste of money.
