Why can't a C1 license holder drive a motorcycle?

[McAlexa]

According to regulations, a C1 license holder cannot drive a motorcycle because it does not match the permitted vehicle types. To drive a motorcycle, one must hold an E, D, or F license. Permitted vehicle types for a C1 driver's license: The permitted scope of a C1 driver's license includes small and mini passenger vehicles, light and mini cargo vehicles; light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles; and small passenger vehicles with seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. Vehicles that a C1 license holder cannot drive: large buses, tractors, city buses, medium-sized buses, large trucks, ordinary three-wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two-wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled self-propelled machinery, trolleybuses, and trams. Additionally, a C1 license holder cannot drive vehicles with more than 9 seats or trucks with a total length exceeding 6 meters. What is a C1 driver's license: A C1 driver's license is one of the codes for motor vehicle driver's licenses. The permitted scope of a C1 driver's license includes small and mini passenger vehicles, light and mini cargo vehicles; light, small, and mini special-purpose vehicles; and small passenger vehicles with seating capacity of 9 or fewer people. Age requirements: The minimum age to apply for a C1 driver's license is 18 years old, with no upper age limit. However, applicants aged 70 or older must pass tests on memory, judgment, and reaction abilities.

[VanWilliam]

A C1 driver's license only allows you to drive small cars, and motorcycles are a different matter. When I was getting my license, I specifically asked the instructor, and he said the control methods for motorcycles and cars are completely different—riding a motorcycle requires using your body to balance when turning, and you also have to control the clutch and shift gears with your hands, none of which are needed for four-wheeled vehicles. Once, a friend of mine thought a C1 license allowed him to ride a scooter, but he was caught by traffic police, had 12 points deducted, and was fined 2,000 yuan. Now, license exams are all online, so if you want to ride a motorcycle, you must retake the exam for a D or E license. If you really want to ride, I suggest taking a weekend to enroll in a three-wheeled motorcycle course at a driving school—it's more stable to learn than two-wheelers, and the test is easier.

[McPhoebe]

From a legal perspective, the permitted vehicle types listed on the back of a driver's license separate C1 and motorcycles. I have a relative who works at the DMV, and he explained that motorcycles are a special category among motor vehicles, with different steering methods and braking principles compared to cars. A regular car driver's license does not cover motorcycles at all. Especially now, under the new national standards, electric motorcycles exceeding 25km/h are classified as motor vehicles. Riding one without an E or F license is considered unlicensed driving. Last year, a young man in our neighborhood rented an electric motorcycle using his C1 license, had an accident and broke his leg, and the insurance refused to cover it—a huge loss.

[LeQuinn]

Despite having only two wheels, motorcycles are actually more dangerous. Having ridden for over a decade, I'm well aware that techniques like leaning into turns and emergency braking to prevent skidding are completely different systems from driving cars. Getting a motorcycle license requires separate training for skills like slalom and single-plank bridges, which aren't covered in the C1 license test. Traffic police check the letter codes on the supplementary page of your license - if there's no D or E after C1, riding a different vehicle type is a violation. Getting caught means instant 12-point deduction, and retaking the theory test is particularly troublesome.