What vehicles can an A3 driver's license drive?
3 Answers
A3 driver's license allows driving urban buses, specifically city public buses with a capacity of 10 or more passengers, but it is not limited to buses only. According to relevant regulations, holders of an A3 license can also drive vehicles permitted under the C1 license category, such as small cars, small automatic transmission vehicles, low-speed trucks, and three-wheeled vehicles. Requirements for obtaining an A3 driver's license: 1. Age between 21 and 50 years old; 2. Height above 155 cm, naked or corrected vision reaching 5.0 or above, no red-green color blindness, and the ability to distinguish the direction of sound sources with each ear hearing a tuning fork at 50 cm; 3. Both thumbs must be intact, and each hand must have three other fingers intact and functioning normally; 4. Normal movement of the torso and neck, normal lower limb movement with a length difference between the two lower limbs not exceeding 5 cm.
I previously obtained an A3 driver's license, and now driving city buses is a daily routine for me. It only permits me to operate those large city buses, typically designed to carry more than a dozen passengers. This license category was established primarily to ensure drivers possess the necessary skills to handle the unique operations of buses, such as navigating tight turns on narrow streets or managing safety details during passenger boarding and alighting. It doesn't allow driving small cars or trucks, which require other license categories like C1 or B1. I think this setup is quite reasonable, as it prevents inexperienced drivers from operating vehicles recklessly. Although the job can be a bit monotonous, the income is stable, with fixed routes every day, and it helps citizens commute. If I want to upgrade to driving long-distance coaches, I would need to take the A1 license exam, which would be even more challenging. Safety is the top priority; driving a bus with so many passengers means any accident could be serious, so training must cover all kinds of emergency scenarios thoroughly.
I've had my A3 driver's license for over a decade, and driving buses is what I know best. It's restricted to operating urban public transportation vehicles, like those large buses under 12 meters in length, shuttling dozens of people around daily. The licensing process emphasizes handling large vehicles, such as braking distance and navigating congested road conditions. It doesn't permit driving private cars or small trucks—that's what folks with a C1 license can do. Experience has taught me that being a bus driver comes with heavy responsibilities, requiring constant vigilance over road conditions and passenger movements. Choosing an A3 license means a fixed career path, but the upside is familiar routes and punctual work schedules. If you're interested in driving tour buses, getting an A1 license would be more suitable. Overall, this type of license ensures professional focus and reduces the risk of traffic accidents.
