What is the difference between C1D and C1E?
2 Answers
The most obvious difference between C1D and C1E lies in the permitted vehicle types. D driving license: Permitted vehicle types include ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, with additional permitted types including E and F. E driving license: Permitted vehicle types include ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, with additional permitted types including F. In comparison, C1D allows for more vehicle types. Driving license categories: Motor vehicle driving licenses are divided into 16 categories: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, C5, D, E, F, M, N, P. Driving license validity period: Article 56 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses": If a motor vehicle driver does not accumulate 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the six-year validity period of the motor vehicle driving license, the license will be renewed with a ten-year validity period; if the driver does not accumulate 12 penalty points in any scoring cycle during the ten-year validity period, the license will be renewed with a long-term validity period.
When I was getting my driver's license, I was quite confused too. Later I learned that the essential difference between C1 and C1E lies in towing capacity. A C1 license allows you to drive medium-sized vehicles, such as small trucks or buses with a total mass not exceeding 7,500 kg, and you can tow lighter trailers but not exceeding 750 kg in weight. C1E is different—it specifically extends the towing permission, allowing you to tow heavier trailers, such as moving trucks or RV combinations with a total mass up to 12,000 kg. Obtaining a C1E requires additional training and testing, and practicing trailer reversing skills can be quite challenging, with higher costs, but it's much safer. My friend got fined and had a minor accident for towing heavy loads without upgrading his license. So understanding this distinction is crucial, especially for new drivers—don’t cut corners. The law is very strict, as it directly relates to daily driving risks.
