What vehicle types can a B1 license drive?
3 Answers
B1 driver's license is authorized to drive medium-sized buses, which are defined as medium-sized passenger vehicles with a length not exceeding 6 meters and a rated passenger capacity of 10 (inclusive) to 19 (inclusive) people. Additional information: 1. Driver's license classification: The Ministry of Public Security officially issued the "Regulations on the Business Operations of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses," which introduced a graded system for motor vehicle driver's licenses, dividing them into 15 levels: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. 2. The authorized vehicle types and their corresponding codes are as follows: (1) Large buses A1, tractors A2, city buses A3, medium-sized buses B1, large trucks B2; (2) Small cars C1, small automatic transmission cars C2, low-speed trucks C3, three-wheeled cars C4; (3) Ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles D, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles E, light motorcycles F, wheeled self-propelled machinery M, trolleybuses N, and trams P.
I've been driving for over twenty years and am quite familiar with various driver's licenses. The B1 license primarily covers medium-sized buses, allowing you to drive vehicles that carry 10 to 19 passengers, such as minibuses or small coaches. Driving these vehicles feels spacious and is quite practical for carrying more people, like for tour groups or company shuttles; however, you need to be careful as parking spaces can be hard to find, and the large body makes turning difficult in urban areas. In terms of safety, these vehicles have longer braking distances than smaller cars and are prone to skidding on rough roads, so I always check the road conditions before long trips. Obtaining a B1 license requires more experience, including both theoretical and practical exams, and during training, you should focus more on emergency braking. Nowadays, many people choose it for starting a business or part-time delivery work.
I just got my driver's license and chose the B1 category because I want to drive tourist minibuses for fun and part-time work. Its permitted vehicle type is medium-sized buses, which are suitable for carrying 10 to 19 passengers. The hardest part to master during driving lessons was reversing—the large size of the vehicle makes visibility poor and increases the risk of scratches. I also had to practice balancing the throttle during uphill starts to prevent rolling back. Safety is the top priority when driving this type of vehicle; the instructor emphasized not to overload or speed, as it can easily lead to loss of control. Compared to the regular C1 category for small cars, B1 has broader applications and can help earn some extra income. After getting the license, I need to practice more to familiarize myself with routes and avoid rushing to drive a new vehicle.
