What is the difference between C1 and C2 in the third subject of the driving test?

[SanIsabel]

The difference between the C1 and C2 driving license tests lies in the 100-meter gear shifting section in the third subject. C1 candidates are required to take this section, while C2 candidates are not. C1 Driving License: The C1 driving license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driving licenses. The C1 license allows the holder to drive small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles. Small passenger vehicles must have a seating capacity of 9 or fewer. Age Requirement: The minimum age for applying for a C1 driving license is 18 years old, with no upper age limit. However, applicants aged 70 or older must pass tests on memory, judgment, and reaction abilities. Physical Examination Requirement: Motor vehicle drivers aged 70 or older (including 70) must undergo an annual physical examination, while those under 70 do not need to.

[MacNaomi]

Both C1 and C2 subject three are road tests, but there are significant differences in details. The most challenging part of the C1 manual transmission test is the coordination of the accelerator and clutch, as well as gear shifting. The gear shifting exercise requires candidates to shift gears precisely according to the vehicle speed. If the clutch is released too quickly or the gear and speed don't match, the engine stalls immediately, resulting in point deductions. I've personally witnessed many trainees stalling and failing during the starting and U-turn sections. The C2 automatic transmission test is much simpler, as there's no clutch or gear shifting involved, and the gear shifting exercise is omitted entirely. Just maintaining smooth control of the accelerator and brake ensures a steady pass. Additionally, the test vehicles differ between the two licenses. C2 uses automatic transmission cars with lighter steering wheels, which is more user-friendly for female drivers. However, the C1 license allows driving all small cars, making it more practical.

[MaryRose]

A C2 license holder who just passed the road test (Subject 3) tells you that automatic transmission exams are way less stressful than manual ones. The test routes and items are similar, including lane changes and overtaking, but manual test-takers must multitask with clutch-throttle coordination and gear shifting – especially during the gear change segment requiring four shifts within 15 seconds, which flusters many. Our automatic cars only have accelerator, brake, and steering wheel, allowing better focus on road conditions and traffic rules during tests, resulting in higher pass rates. Driving school statistics show automatic Subject 3 failure rates are nearly 30% lower than manuals. But be warned: a C2 license only permits driving automatic cars, significantly limiting rental options for road trips.

[EvelynLee]

Choosing between C1 and C2 for the third driving test depends on your needs. The complexity of the manual transmission test lies in gear control, such as starting in third gear resulting in an immediate 100-point deduction, or requiring fourth gear speed to exceed 30 km/h, which demands high coordination from beginners. The automatic transmission test can be completed entirely in D gear without worrying about RPM matching. However, a manual transmission license allows driving more vehicle types, especially utility vehicles like pickup trucks. Currently, car-sharing services mostly offer automatic transmissions, and family cars are predominantly automatic. I recommend C2 for commuters, while C1 is more suitable for those interested in transportation or off-roading. The main difference in test difficulty lies in the number of operational steps, with manual transmission road tests involving about 40% more operational nodes.