What License is Required to Drive a 15-Seater Vehicle?

[DiDiana]

To drive a 15-seater vehicle, you need a B1, A1, or A2 driver's license. The relevant conditions for applying for a driver's license are as follows: 1. Age requirements: Applicants for small cars, small automatic transmission cars, small automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled, or light motorcycles must be between 18 and 70 years old; applicants for low-speed trucks, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, or wheeled self-propelled machinery must be between 18 and 60 years old; applicants for city buses, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams must be between 20 and 50 years old; applicants for medium-sized passenger vehicles must be between 21 and 50 years old; applicants for tractor-trailers must be between 24 and 50 years old; applicants for large passenger vehicles must be between 26 and 50 years old; students receiving full-time driving vocational education must be between 20 and 50 years old when applying for large passenger vehicles or tractor-trailers. 2. Physical conditions: Applicants for large passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers, city buses, large trucks, or trolleybuses must be at least 155 cm tall. Applicants for medium-sized passenger vehicles must be at least 150 cm tall; applicants for large passenger vehicles, tractor-trailers, city buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, large trucks, trolleybuses, or trams must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart. Applicants for other vehicle types must have uncorrected or corrected visual acuity of at least 4.9 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart.

[VonOwen]

I've been driving for almost twenty years and often help friends drive 15-seater minibuses for events, such as models like King Long or Hiace. Legally operating these vehicles requires a B1 driver's license. The strict regulations are primarily for safety reasons—these vehicles carry more passengers and have greater weight, making them prone to losing control during sharp turns or sudden braking, which increases accident risks. When I took the B-license test back then, it was more challenging than the test for regular cars, covering additional aspects like passenger vehicle handling and safety management, such as simulating parking on steep slopes and emergency evacuations. If someone with only a C1 license drives a 15-seater illegally, traffic police can impose a 12-point penalty and a fine starting from 2,000 RMB, not to mention the impact on insurance claims. I recommend checking the vehicle manual to confirm seating capacity before driving—don’t cut corners for convenience. Safety should always come first.

[VanJourney]

I just started learning to drive and recently wanted to use the company's 15-seater to pick up clients for an outing. My instructor told me that I must obtain a B1 license for this, as a regular C license won't suffice. This type of vehicle is classified as a medium-sized passenger bus and is more cumbersome to handle. A friend of mine who took the B license test mentioned practicing parking large vehicles and making U-turns on narrow roads, which felt much harder than driving a small car. I'm planning to enroll soon—the driving school's course includes both theoretical knowledge and practical vehicle training, and I'm preparing to give it a try next month. Additionally, common 15-seater models include Jinbei or small buses, and when renting, it's important to check the vehicle's legality to avoid any mismatched license issues. Safe driving starts with following the rules.

[GenevieveDella]

Our family is large, and we love renting a 15-seat Coaster for weekend outings. Driving such a vehicle without a B1 license is a violation. I’ve learned that the regulation requires a B license because the vehicle’s load capacity and dimensions differ from those of regular cars, with a larger turning radius and longer braking distance, making accidents potentially more severe. After obtaining my B license, I pay extra attention to checking tires and lights before each trip to ensure everything is in working order. The B license test also taught me safe procedures for passenger boarding and alighting, which are quite practical. I recommend avoiding overloading during family trips and ensuring proper safety seats are installed.