What vehicles can a C3 driver's license drive?

[AnastasiaLee]

According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", the permitted vehicle types for a C3 driver's license include four-wheel agricultural transport vehicles and light-duty trucks with a length less than 6 meters and a total mass less than 4500 kg. A C3 license also allows driving C4 three-wheeled vehicles, which are a type of cargo vehicle with a railing structure in the loading part and three wheels. These vehicles are powered by small diesel engines, mainly used for cargo transport, and are registered under tractor license plates. Drivers must operate motor vehicles according to the permitted vehicle types specified on their driver's license. Driving a motor vehicle that does not match the permitted vehicle types on the license is considered unlicensed driving in nature. Penalties include a fine ranging from 200 to 2000 yuan, 12 demerit points, and possibly up to 15 days of detention. According to Article 90 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China", motor vehicle drivers who violate road traffic safety laws and regulations regarding road traffic rules will be given a warning or fined. If there are other provisions in this law, penalties will be imposed accordingly. According to the "Regulations on the Business of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" issued by the public security department, motor vehicle driver's licenses are classified into a hierarchical system, dividing licenses into 15 levels: A1, A2, A3, B1, B2, C1, C2, C3, C4, D, E, F, M, N, and P. The permitted vehicle types for each different level of driver's license are as follows: A1 driver's license permits driving large passenger vehicles. A2 driver's license permits driving tractors, heavy and medium-sized full trailers, and semi-trailer combinations. A3 driver's license permits driving city buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers. B1 driver's license permits driving heavy-duty passenger vehicles. C1 driver's license permits driving small and mini passenger vehicles, etc. C2 driver's license permits driving small and mini automatic transmission passenger vehicles, etc. C3 driver's license permits driving low-speed cargo vehicles (originally four-wheel agricultural transport vehicles). C4 driver's license permits driving three-wheeled vehicles (originally three-wheel agricultural transport vehicles). M-type driver's license permits driving wheeled self-propelled machinery vehicles. N-type driver's license permits driving trolleybuses. P-type driver's license permits driving tramcars. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses", the requirements for applying for a C3 driver's license are: Applicants must be between 18 and 70 years old, with a height of at least 150 cm. This means visual acuity must be 5.0 or above in both eyes, hearing must be normal, and there must be no color blindness, especially the inability to distinguish between red and green. Only those with fully functional limbs can apply for a Class C motor vehicle driver's license. C3 driver's license test content: Applicants need to pass three subjects: the subject on road traffic safety laws, regulations, and related knowledge; the subject on field driving skills; and the subject on road driving skills and safe, civilized driving common sense.

[ORowan]

Driving a vehicle with a C3 license requires careful attention. I've been driving low-speed trucks for many years, mainly agricultural tricycles and small tractors, which must not exceed 70 km/h and have a load capacity under 4.5 tons to comply with regulations. They are quite convenient for rural tasks like transporting grains and fertilizers, but never drive a car or passenger vehicle—those require a C1 license, and C3 doesn’t qualify. I remember once seeing a neighbor drive a pickup truck into the city with a C3 license and getting caught by traffic police. Not only was there a fine and points deducted, but it nearly caused an accident because high-speed vehicles have different braking systems. Safety-wise, low-speed vehicles are prone to tipping over on highways, so focused driving is essential. It’s best to use them only in rural areas—switch to another mode of transport or get a C1 license before driving in the city. Regularly check your license details to avoid major consequences over minor oversights.