When can a C1 license be upgraded to a B2?

[DiJayce]

It requires more than three years. Below are the conditions for upgrading from C1 to B2: Hold a small car C1 driver's license for more than 3 years, with no full-point records in the last three consecutive scoring cycles, aged between 20 and 50 years old, no record of causing a fatal traffic accident with equal or greater responsibility; no record of drunk driving; and no revocation or cancellation of the driver's license within the past ten years. C1 is a code for a type of driver's license. According to the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" (Ministry of Public Security Order No. 123), C1 refers to a license that permits driving small and micro passenger vehicles, light and micro cargo vehicles, as well as light and micro special-purpose vehicles, and also allows driving vehicles under the C2, C3, and C4 categories. A B2 license permits driving heavy and medium-duty cargo trucks or large, heavy, and medium-sized special-purpose vehicles. Heavy and medium-duty cargo trucks are mostly trucks, such as the large dump trucks commonly seen on roads, which fall under the category of heavy trucks. Large, heavy, and medium-sized special-purpose vehicles refer to vehicles equipped with specialized equipment or devices, such as water sprinklers, concrete mixers, fire trucks, etc. Article 14 of the "Regulations on the Application and Use of Motor Vehicle Driver's Licenses" states that for first-time applicants of a motor vehicle driver's license, the permitted vehicle types include city buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled cars, small automatic transmission passenger vehicles for the disabled, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. For those who already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and wish to apply for additional permitted vehicle types, the additional types include large passenger vehicles, tractor trucks, city buses, medium-sized passenger vehicles, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo vehicles, three-wheeled cars, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Article 15 states that for those who already hold a motor vehicle driver's license and wish to apply for additional permitted vehicle types, there should be no record of accumulating 12 points in the current scoring cycle and the most recent scoring cycle before the application. For applications to add medium-sized passenger vehicles, tractor trucks, or large passenger vehicles, the following additional conditions must be met: For applying to add medium-sized passenger vehicles, the applicant must have held a city bus, large truck, small car, small automatic transmission car, low-speed cargo vehicle, or three-wheeled car license for more than three years, with no full-point records in the last three consecutive scoring cycles before the application. For applying to add tractor trucks, the applicant must have held a medium-sized passenger vehicle or large truck license for more than three years, or a large passenger vehicle license for more than one year, with no full-point records in the last three consecutive scoring cycles before the application. For applying to add large passenger vehicles, the applicant must have held a city bus, medium-sized passenger vehicle, or large truck license for more than five years, or a tractor truck license for more than two years, with no full-point records in the last five consecutive scoring cycles before the application. Students currently undergoing full-time driving vocational education who have obtained a small car license while in school and have no full-point records in the current and most recent scoring cycle before the application can apply to add large passenger vehicles or tractor trucks.

[StPaige]

After passing my C1 license test, I was thinking about when I could upgrade to a B2, so I checked the traffic laws. The rules state that you must hold a C1 license for at least one year, and you cannot have accumulated 12 penalty points in the last two consecutive scoring cycles. You must also be at least 20 years old, and those over 60 are not eligible for the upgrade. It's best to apply directly at the local vehicle management office in your registered residence. Now that everything is connected nationwide, just bring your ID card, medical examination report, and current driver's license. However, the actual driving test is much stricter than the C1. Large trucks have heavy steering, and the reverse parking requirements are very precise. It's advisable to practice for three months at a reliable driving school before taking the test—after all, the tuition fee is enough to buy a used motorcycle. Once you get your B2, remember not to drive hazardous material transport vehicles during the first-year probation period. Accumulating 6 penalty points will extend your probation, so drive carefully to stay safe.

[DeJayla]

My son just upgraded from C1 to B2 last year, and I accompanied him through the entire process. You must wait a full year after obtaining your initial license, and crucially, avoid accumulating 12 penalty points during that period. The age requirement is strictly between 20 and 60 years old—exceeding this means downgrading is your only option. I recommend getting a medical check-up beforehand, focusing mainly on whether your corrected vision meets the standard. Registration requires an offline appointment, and nowadays, the second test is incredibly detailed—the hill start alone eliminates many candidates. During practice, I noticed that the steering wheel of a large truck is three times heavier than that of a small car, and the margin for error in reverse parking is just ten centimeters. Without at least two months to develop muscle memory, passing is nearly impossible. Additionally, the test fee is 50% more expensive than for C1, and with training costs, you're looking at a minimum of 8,000 yuan. If you want to save money, sign up during the driving school's promotional season.