What is the minimum age to obtain an A1 license?

[VonAubrey]

You must be at least 26 years old to obtain an A1 license. Requirements for obtaining an A2 license: An A2 driver's license cannot be obtained initially; it can only be obtained through license upgrading. You must have held a (B1) medium-sized bus or (B2) large truck driving qualification for at least three years, with no full-point records in the two most recent scoring cycles prior to application; or have held an (A1) large passenger vehicle driving qualification for at least one year, with no full-point records in the most recent scoring cycle prior to application. For those who have held A3, B1, or B2 licenses for over 5 years: Drivers who have held A3, B1, or B2 licenses for more than 5 years and have not accumulated 12 points in any of the last five scoring cycles are eligible to apply for an A1 license, provided these two conditions are met.

[DeHector]

During our driving school training, we emphasized that applicants for the A1 driver's license must be at least 26 years old—this is a strict requirement. It's particularly important to note the upper age limit of 60—even if you obtain the license before turning 60, you'll have to downgrade to a C1 license upon reaching that age. Additionally, you need either two years of experience with a tractor A2 license or at least five years with a current B1/B2 license to qualify for application. I once had a 32-year-old trainee who came for license upgrading—he mentioned that passenger transport companies prioritize hiring A1 drivers, so it's indeed wise to plan your career path early. Before taking the test, remember to check your local household registration requirements, as some regions also impose restrictions on the number of license upgrades allowed.

[VonLogan]

Last time I went to the DMV to renew my license, I specifically asked at the counter, and you have to be at least 26 years old to get an A1 license. Interestingly, the policy has a loophole: you can get an A2 license at 22 to drive semi-trailers, and after two years, you can upgrade, which is actually faster than waiting directly. I know a driver who operates interprovincial buses—he got his A2 at 25 and successfully upgraded as soon as he hit the two-year mark. Now his monthly salary has increased by 4,000 yuan. However, the medical exam for a large passenger vehicle license is extremely strict—if your corrected vision isn’t at least 5.0, you’re out. Those three-axle, locomotive-like buses? You wouldn’t dare touch them without at least five years of driving experience.

[LunaFitz]

Recently, while helping my cousin research upgrading his driver's license, I finally understood the requirements for an A1 license. You must be at least 26 years old and have held an A2 license for two years or a Class B license for five years. For example, if you graduate from university at 22 and first get a B2 license to drive trucks, after working for five years, you'll be 27 and just meet the qualifications. Note that you can't upgrade directly from a Class C license; you must go through a Class B license as an intermediate step. Currently, the second driving test has added a simulation for rainy, foggy, and slippery roads, with a pass rate of only about 40%. Taking the test while you're young and have quick reflexes gives you an advantage.

[LeviRose]

My dad, a veteran passenger transport driver with 30 years of experience, mentioned that to obtain a large passenger vehicle license (A1) nowadays, one must be at least 26 years old and have either two years of A2 license experience or five years of B license experience. The key point is that you'll be forced to downgrade at 60, meaning the actual golden period for driving buses is only about thirty years. Last year, when his fleet was hiring, a 45-year-old driver with an A1 license was rejected during the medical check-up due to color weakness, wasting his twenty years of driving experience. He advises young people considering entering the industry to take care of their vision from an early age, as high blood sugar or blood pressure can also disqualify them.

[DiAnthony]

During my years as an HR in a transportation company, the most frequently asked question by newcomers is about the A1 license age requirement. The minimum age is strictly 26 years old, but meeting the age requirement alone isn't enough—you must either have held an A2 license for at least two years or a B1/B2 license for over five years. Last year, some vocational school graduates we recruited got their B2 licenses at 22, meaning they'd have to wait until 27 to drive buses. Now, the A license exam includes a defensive driving assessment, requiring candidates to attend driving school classes three months in advance—don't wait until the last minute just because you meet the age threshold.