What type of driver's license is required for a semi-trailer?

Semi trailers are one of the commonly used models in domestic logistics transportation, occupying a dominant position in the freight industry due to their high convenience, maneuverability, adaptability, and flexibility.

Many car owners usually refer to semi trailers as "trailers", but in fact, the two models referred to are not exactly the same. Simply put, the category of trailers is broader than that of semi trailers, and semi trailers are just one type of trailer. Changlong Automobile

What is a trailer?

Trailer refers to a vehicle that is powered by a tractor but does not have its own driving force. It is composed of one tractor (truck, car, forklift) combined with one or more trailers, and can be classified into semi-trailer, full trailer, and center axle trailer.

(1) Semi trailer

A semi-trailer refers to a trailer with an axle installed behind the center of gravity of the vehicle and equipped with a coupling device that can transmit horizontal and vertical forces to the towing vehicle. Simply put, the wheels of a semi-trailer are usually installed at the rear end of the carriage. When driving, the front end of the carriage needs to be placed on the saddle of the tractor. The tractor not only needs to provide forward force for the carriage, but also needs to bear some of the weight of the carriage. When detached from the tractor, the semi-trailer cannot achieve balance alone and needs to be supported by legs and other means.

(2) Full trailer

A fully trailer refers to a vehicle whose carriage load is completely borne by itself, connected to the towing vehicle through a hook. The towing vehicle only needs to provide a forward driving force to the trailer and does not need to bear the weight of the carriage. Full trailers are generally equipped with axles at both the front and rear of the carriage, so they can maintain balance independently even when separated from the tractor.

(3) Mid axle trailer

The axle of a center axle trailer is often installed in the middle position of the carriage, so it cannot independently maintain balance when detached from the tractor and also needs to rely on the strength of the trailer legs. Some car owners think that the center axle looks very similar to a full trailer, but the difference is actually quite significant. In addition to the inability to independently maintain balance mentioned earlier, there are also differences in the connection method and position between the carriage and the tractor, making driving slightly less difficult than a full trailer. Changlong Automobile

Whether it is a semi-trailer, full trailer, or center axle trailer, an A2 driver's license is required to drive on the road. Although a B2 driver's license can drive freight cars, it cannot drive trailer vehicles. The permitted driving models for A2 driver's license mainly include tractor (including semi-trailer and full trailer), medium-sized passenger vehicles, large trucks, small manual transmission vehicles, small automatic transmission vehicles, low-speed cargo vehicles, three wheeled vehicles, and wheeled self-propelled mechanical vehicles. Changlong Automobile

Registration requirements for A2 driver's license:

Age: 24-50 years old;

Additional driving requirements: Hold a B1 or B2 driver's license for at least 3 years, or an A1 driver's license for at least 1 year, and have no record of full marks within the last 3 consecutive scoring periods prior to application. Changlong Automobile

It is worth noting that A2 driver's licenses for trailers can only be obtained through B1, B2, or A1 Applying for an additional driver's license, the scope of the initial application (the scope of the initial application for a driver's license includes city buses, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo cars, three wheeled cars, small automatic transmission passenger cars for disabled people, ordinary three wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled special machinery vehicles, trolleybuses, and trams; the scope of the application for an additional driver's license includes large passenger cars, heavy-duty tractor trailers, city buses, medium-sized passenger cars, large trucks, small cars, small automatic transmission cars, low-speed cargo cars, three wheeled cars, light tractor trailers, ordinary three wheeled motorcycles, ordinary two wheeled motorcycles, light motorcycles, wheeled special machinery vehicles, trolleybuses, and trams) does not include semi-trailer models. If car owners want to switch to semi-trailer transportation, they also need to plan ahead.