What is the difference in exam difficulty between C1 and C2?
3 Answers
C2 and C1 driving tests only differ in the type of vehicle used. Below are the differences between C1 and C2: 1. Different exam difficulty: (1) C1 is a manual transmission small vehicle driver's license, and its exam difficulty is higher than that of the C2 license; (2) The C2 license is an automatic transmission small vehicle driver's license, and its driving difficulty is lower than that of the C1 license. 2. Different permitted vehicle types: (1) The C1 license permits driving small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, and light, small, and micro special-purpose vehicles, including all vehicle types under C2, C3, and C4; (2) The C2 license permits driving small and micro automatic transmission passenger vehicles and light and micro automatic transmission cargo vehicles. 3. Different learning costs: (1) Because the C1 license exam is more widely taken and uses manual transmission vehicles, the price is generally cheaper than the C2 license. (2) The C2 license uses automatic transmission vehicles, so the cost is higher than that of the C1 license.
I just obtained my C1 driver's license last year. The C1 test really challenges hand-foot coordination—you must control the clutch to prevent stalling during the hill start in Subject 2, and coordinate the accelerator and clutch for gear shifts in Subject 3. The most frustrating part for me during practice was clutch control; I often stalled because I couldn't master the semi-engaged state. Out of 10 test-takers, 3 failed at the hill start, and the retake rate was quite high. Compared to the C2 automatic license, C1 involves more clutch operation, but the test requirements are more detailed, such as the stricter 30cm distance rule for parallel parking. However, 95% of new cars today are automatic, so getting a C2 license is quicker—my cousin passed his test in just two weeks.
As a driving instructor who has trained over a hundred students, the most challenging aspect of C1 (manual transmission) is developing muscle memory for clutch control. Stalling during the test results in an immediate 100-point deduction, but automatic transmission models (C2) completely eliminate this risk. In the third road test phase, C1 requires completing three gear shifts within 50 meters - many nervous students fail immediately by selecting the wrong gear. While C2 removes manual gear operations, it imposes stricter evaluations on lane changes and overtaking maneuvers, with even a 5km/h speed control error leading to point deductions. The simulated nighttime lighting test presents equal difficulty for both, with only about an 8% pass rate difference between the two license types.
