What is the difference between B2 and B1 driver's licenses?
2 Answers
B2 and B1 driver's licenses differ in the types of vehicles they permit to drive and the application requirements. The specific details are as follows: 1. Difference: Both B1 and B2 driver's licenses must be applied for at the local vehicle management office in the applicant's registered residence. However, B2 can be applied for directly, while B1 requires the applicant to first hold another driver's license and then apply for an additional license to obtain it. 2. The types of vehicles permitted by a B1 license are: medium-sized buses and C1, M (M stands for wheeled self-propelled machinery). This includes urban buses with 10 to 19 passengers. 3. The types of vehicles permitted by a B2 license are: large trucks and C1, M. A B2 license allows the holder to drive heavy and medium-sized trucks, large, heavy, and medium-sized special operation vehicles, as well as small vehicles under the C1 and M categories.
I just got my driver's license recently, and friends often ask about the difference between B1 and B2. Simply put, B1 is for driving medium-sized buses and cars, with a maximum of 19 seats, suitable for jobs involving many passengers like school buses or minibus tour vehicles. B2 is for driving heavy-duty trucks, including engineering vehicles or large transport trucks, and it also allows driving cars. The main difference lies in the vehicle type: one is for carrying people, the other for hauling goods. The test items also vary significantly—B2 requires practicing maneuvers like reversing large vehicles, making it more challenging. The minimum age requirement is 18 for B1, but 21 for B2, as driving heavy trucks is riskier and demands stricter experience. During driving school, I noticed a big difference in tuition fees—B2 is more expensive because the training vehicles consume more fuel. Daily driving insurance might also be higher, especially for goods transport. I chose B1 thinking it would be convenient for driving tour buses. Before taking the test, everyone should consider their future plans carefully to avoid wasting money.
