What Types of Vehicles Can a B2 License Drive?
2 Answers
According to Appendix 1 of China's "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driving Licenses," which specifies the types of vehicles and their corresponding codes, a B2 license permits the holder to drive heavy or medium-duty trucks, as well as large, heavy, or medium-sized special-purpose vehicles. Heavy and medium-duty trucks are primarily freight trucks, such as the large dump trucks commonly seen on roads, which fall under the category of heavy trucks. Large, heavy, or medium-sized special-purpose vehicles refer to vehicles equipped with specialized equipment or devices, such as water sprinklers, concrete mixers, or fire trucks. In addition, a B2 license also allows the holder to drive C1 vehicles (small cars), C2 vehicles (small automatic transmission cars), C3 vehicles (low-speed trucks), C4 vehicles (three-wheeled cars), C5 vehicles (small or micro automatic transmission passenger cars for the disabled), and M vehicles (wheeled self-propelled machinery). This is the same as the permissions granted by a B1 license. Requirements for applying for a B2 license: Applicants must be between 20 and 60 years old, with a height of at least 1.55 meters for large vehicles. They must study in their place of residence (within the scope of their registered household, at the prefecture-level city level) and cannot study in a temporary residence. If the applicant's original driver's license is from another region, it must be transferred back to their place of origin, where they must study. Both naked-eye or corrected vision must reach at least 5.0 on the logarithmic visual acuity chart, and the applicant must not be colorblind. The license must be obtained directly as an initial license, or the applicant must have held any driver's license for at least one year. Additionally, the applicant must not have accumulated 12 or more demerit points for traffic violations within the past year. Local residents must apply in their place of household registration, while non-local residents can apply in their temporary residence. Active military personnel (including armed police) must apply in their place of residence. Foreign nationals must apply in their place of residence or stay. B2 license examination content: Subject 1: Examination on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge. Subject 2: Examination on field driving skills, including pole parking, starting on a slope, parallel parking, driving over a single-plank bridge, navigating continuous sharp turns on mountainous roads, tunnels, driving in rain (fog), slippery roads, emergency handling, curve driving, right-angle turns, passing through a narrow gate, navigating continuous obstacles, driving on bumpy roads, making U-turns on narrow roads, and simulated highway driving. Subject 3: Examination on road driving skills and safe, civilized driving knowledge, including preparation before driving, starting, driving straight, shifting gears, changing lanes, pulling over, going straight through intersections, turning right or left at intersections, passing through crosswalks, passing school zones, passing bus stops, overtaking, meeting oncoming vehicles, making U-turns, and driving at night. Individuals who cannot apply for a B2 license include those who have caused a fatal traffic accident and bear equal or greater responsibility, those who have driven under the influence of alcohol, and those whose driver's license has been revoked or canceled within the past ten years. According to Article 19 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": To drive a motor vehicle, one must legally obtain a motor vehicle driver's license. Applicants must meet the driving license conditions stipulated by the public security department of the State Council. After passing the examination, the corresponding category of motor vehicle driver's license will be issued by the traffic management department of the public security authority. Drivers must operate vehicles according to the types specified on their license and must carry their driver's license while driving. It is important to note that both driving without a license and driving a vehicle that does not match the license type are illegal. According to the first provision of the reply from the Legislative Affairs Office of the State Council regarding the interpretation and application of certain legal provisions in the "Road Traffic Safety Law" and its implementation regulations: Driving a vehicle that does not match the license type is, in nature, equivalent to driving without a license. In terms of penalties, based on the principle of proportionality, it can be treated as driving without a license but with a lighter penalty. Both driving without a license and driving a vehicle that does not match the license type are subject to the provisions of Article 99, Paragraph 1 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law": Driving a motor vehicle without a motor vehicle driver's license, or when the license has been revoked or temporarily suspended, will result in a fine imposed by the public security traffic management department and may also be subject to detention for up to 15 days.
Ever since I got my B2 license, I knew it was a driving permit for specific vehicle types. Specifically, I can drive all medium-sized trucks, such as those with a load capacity between three and a half to ten tons, including trucks and vans; I can also drive all vehicles covered by a C1 license, including small cars, SUVs, minivans with fewer than nine seats, and small trucks. At work, I've used it to drive transport vehicles delivering construction materials; for daily leisure, I also drive family cars for outings. However, it's important to note that a B2 license doesn't allow driving large passenger vehicles like buses or tour coaches, which require a B1 or higher license. Additionally, avoid overloading or violating regulations while driving, and regularly check the vehicle to ensure safe driving, to prevent fines or accident risks.
