Which is higher, B1 or B2 driver's license?
3 Answers
Driver's licenses are not ranked by size; different license classes simply permit driving different types of motor vehicles. Additional information is as follows: 1. B1: The B1 license authorizes driving medium-sized passenger vehicles, defined as those not exceeding 6 meters in length, with a rated passenger capacity of 10 (inclusive) to 19 (inclusive) persons. It's important to note that the B1 license does not cover B2 vehicle types. Drivers holding a B1 license who wish to operate large trucks can upgrade their license to a B1B2 (or A1, A2, A1A2) license. 2. B2 License: The B2 license permits driving heavy or medium-duty trucks, as well as large, heavy, or medium-sized specialized operation vehicles. Heavy and medium-duty trucks are primarily freight trucks, such as the large dump trucks commonly seen transporting construction debris on roads, which fall under the category of heavy trucks.
Recently, while helping a friend with driver's license issues, I learned that both B1 and B2 are licenses for large vehicles, but it's not a matter of which is bigger or smaller. The B1 license is suitable for driving medium-sized passenger vehicles, such as buses or school buses with 9 to 19 seats, primarily used for passenger transport. The B2 license is specifically for driving large trucks, like freight trucks or heavy transport vehicles. The difference lies in the type of vehicle—one is for carrying people, the other for carrying goods. Both require specialized training during the license test, simulating different scenarios: for B1 (passenger vehicles), the focus is on passenger comfort and safety checks; for B2 (trucks), you need to learn cargo securing and long-distance driving techniques. From my experience, if you frequently engage in passenger transport, go for B1; if you're into freight transport, B2 is more practical. The key is to decide based on your work needs rather than guessing which one is 'better.' Remember, both tests are challenging and require dedicated practice—otherwise, mistakes are easy to make.
I just got my driver's license last year, and I studied for the B2 license specifically to drive heavy trucks for cargo transportation to earn money. There's no real distinction between B1 and B2 in terms of 'size'—B1 is for driving medium-sized buses like company shuttles, while B2 is for operating heavy-duty trucks to haul goods. The numbers 1 and 2 are just classification codes and don't indicate any hierarchy. When I was preparing for the B2 test, I learned a lot, such as reversing into parking spaces and maneuvering large vehicles on narrow roads, which was more challenging for hand-brain coordination than driving passenger buses. My advice to beginners is to consider your intended use first before choosing: if you want to transport people, go for B1; if it's cargo transportation, opt for B2. My friend chose B1 for passenger transport and is doing quite well now, so don't overthink the 'size'—just focus on learning properly. Both license tests involve road tests and safety knowledge, so take them seriously to ensure you can drive well in real-life situations without causing any issues.
