Choosing between a manual and an automatic car for lessons also decides what a full licence allows. The rules are not identical across the UK: England, Scotland and Wales follow GOV.UK and the DVLA, while Northern Ireland follows nidirect and the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA). This guide explains how the restriction arises, how it appears on the licence, and how to remove it.
The test is the same, the licence is not
GOV.UK states that the practical test works in the same way for a manual car as for an automatic. The candidate may take it in a manual car (three pedals) or an automatic or semi-automatic car (two pedals). GOV.UK lists a single car test fee, with no separate price by gearbox: £62 on weekdays and £75 in the evenings, at weekends and on bank holidays for a car test in Great Britain.
What differs is the result. GOV.UK says that a driver who takes the test in a semi-automatic car will only be able to drive automatic and semi-automatic cars once they have passed. Its upgrade guidance refers to a licence that is only for automatic cars. A driver who passes in a manual car is not limited in this way.
The own-car rules for the test are unchanged. A car must still meet the requirements for tax, MOT, insurance for a driving test, an extra interior mirror for the examiner and L plates, whatever its gearbox. See the practical test guide for the checklist.
How the restriction shows on the licence
DVLA publishes a list of codes printed on the back of a photocard licence. In Great Britain, code 78 means the licence is restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission. GOV.UK adds that some codes may be different in Northern Ireland.
In Northern Ireland, nidirect’s list of information codes shows two codes with the same meaning: 78 and 106 both mean restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission. Anyone unsure of their own entitlement should check the codes on the photocard rather than rely on memory of the test they took.
Upgrading to manual in Great Britain
An automatic-only licence can be upgraded by passing a driving test in a manual car. GOV.UK sets out the process:
- Learning can start at any time. No second provisional licence is needed.
- The usual learner rules still apply, including L plates and supervision.
- No theory test is required.
- The test must be booked by phone with the DVSA, not online. A debit or credit card is needed, and the learner must choose a test centre.
- GOV.UK lists the DVSA booking support line as open Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm.
- The test works the same way as the automatic one, with the same eyesight check, vehicle safety questions, driving and reversing.
- A driver who fails the manual test can carry on driving automatic cars.
The provisional licence and supervisor rules are in the provisional licence guide. The show me, tell me questions are the same on either gearbox.
Upgrading in Northern Ireland
nidirect says a driver with a full automatic car licence who wants a manual licence will, in most circumstances, not need to take a theory test, because the upgrade is within the same vehicle category. It advises contacting the DVA if there is any doubt.
A different rule applies to exchanged foreign licences. nidirect says that a Northern Ireland licence issued in exchange for a licence from certain designated countries may be restricted to automatic transmission. This includes licences from the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, Tasmania and Victoria, and from Canada, because those licences do not show the type of vehicle used in the test, unless documentary evidence shows the test was taken in a manual vehicle. Where an exchanged licence is automatic only, a valid theory test pass certificate is needed before booking or taking a manual test, and the DVA should be contacted first.
Frequently asked questions
Can an instructor book the manual upgrade test?
GOV.UK says the learner must book it by phone. The general rule for car tests is that learners book, change and cancel their own.
Is the process different for Scotland or Wales?
The GOV.UK upgrade guidance applies across Great Britain. Learners display L plates, or D plates in Wales, and the usual learner rules apply. See the practice section for theory revision meanwhile.
Where can a learner find a manual instructor?
Learners in Great Britain can compare local driving instructors on Compare Driving Instructors.
The bottom line
A licence limited to automatic cars carries code 78 (and code 106 in Northern Ireland), and it can be lifted by passing a manual driving test, without a new theory test in most cases. In Great Britain the manual test is booked by phone through the DVSA; in Northern Ireland the DVA decides any exceptions, particularly for exchanged foreign licences. Check the codes on the photocard before buying a car or booking a test. This is general information, not legal advice.
Sources
- Upgrade an automatic car driving licence to a manual one (gov.uk)
- Driving test: cars (gov.uk)
- Driving test costs (gov.uk)
- Driving licence codes (gov.uk)
- Information codes on your driving licence (nidirect.gov.uk)
- About the driving theory test (nidirect.gov.uk)
- Exchanging your foreign driving licence (nidirect.gov.uk)
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