Driving test in an auto?

Guy:Incognito

Anyone know what the situation is with doing your test in an automatic? Do you just apply as normal and turn up on the day or is there a seperate form?

Dilbert75

Think you just turn up on the day - you'll only be licensed to drive an automatic though.

Wishbone Ash

You do the test as normal but the licence you recieve will have a number '78' on it to indicate that you will be restricted to driving vehicles in the category concerned with automatic transmission.

zuutroy

I don't 100% understand this. Are you still provisionally licensed to drive manuals afterwards? It's seems silly that one day you can drive either, and the day you pass your test you can only drive auto's from then on.

Ernie Ball

zuutroy wrote:

I don't 100% understand this. Are you still provisionally licensed to drive manuals afterwards? It's seems silly that one day you can drive either, and the day you pass your test you can only drive auto's from then on.

That's the least of the absurdities in the Irish testing regime.

But, yes, it is that way.

Guy:Incognito

I assume your on a provisional if your driving a manual. t's the missus' sister and she wont listen to reason and just do a few lesson in a manual for the test.

She's driving an auto micra and wont even consider getting in a car any bigger, so I dread to think whats going to happen when shes restricted to 1 -1.2 autos next time shes buying a car.(i assume shes going to stick with 2nd hand but may not have a choice and have to buy new)

Wishbone Ash

zuutroy wrote:

I don't 100% understand this. Are you still provisionally licensed to drive manuals afterwards? It's seems silly that one day you can drive either, and the day you pass your test you can only drive auto's from then on.

Good question zuutroy - AFAIK once you pass a test in a given category, you cannot recieve a provisional licence for that category afterwards but I don't know about manual v. auto within the same category.

ninty9er

If you learn to drive properly with an instructor you are not likely to have learned in an Auto....i.e. you are only fit to drive auto if you pass in an Auto because you are not physically capable of driving a manual competently.

There are many others who aren't either, but I agree with this rule as it at least reduces the risk of incident on the roads, even if it prevents 1 incident a century it's still worth it

maidhc

Has there being any response to hill starts with electonic handbrakes?

I am quite certain in england an electronic handbrake equipped car cannot be used for the driving test.

Stark

In most cases I've heard of people doing their test in automatics, they've been given a full licence without restrictions.

Wishbone Ash

Stark wrote:

In most cases I've heard of people doing their test in automatics, they've been given a full licence without restrictions.

Totally untrue Stark. It will have a code number indicating that it is restricted. For example Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann drivers are taught to drive using automatics. If they pass the test, they are restricted to driving auto buses. This makes it difficult if they wish to seek employment with a private operator. Many job adverts re driving require a "full, unrestricted licence" in the category concerned.

ffocused

My wife got a full unrestricted licence after doing her test in auto, i got the restriction on mine.

bazz26

zuutroy wrote:

I don't 100% understand this. Are you still provisionally licensed to drive manuals afterwards? It's seems silly that one day you can drive either, and the day you pass your test you can only drive auto's from then on.

In theory as part of the driving test you must demonstrate how you work the gears and clutch on the car as part of driving the car. An auto box does this for you so you cannot pass a test on something you were not tested on.

The rediculous thing is though that if you pass your test in a manual you are not restricted from driving an automatic.

maidhc

bazz26 wrote:

The rediculous thing is though that if you pass your test in a manual you are not restricted from driving an automatic.

In fairness there is a greater skill involved in driving a manual car. An automatic is just that.

_Kaiser_

Wishbone Ash wrote:

Totally untrue Stark. It will have a code number indicating that it is restricted. For example Dublin Bus and Bus Eireann drivers are taught to drive using automatics. If they pass the test, they are restricted to driving auto buses. This makes it difficult if they wish to seek employment with a private operator. Many job adverts re driving require a "full, unrestricted licence" in the category concerned.

Where exactly is this code? I did my test in my automatic Mirage and can't see any mention of a restriction on the full license?

ninty9er

It's the number 78 printed on the far right of your licence on the same line as the expiry date

_Kaiser_

ninty9er wrote:

It's the number 78 printed on the far right of your licence on the same line as the expiry date

Just rechecked and nope.. no "78" or anything else aside from the date. So I've a full unrestricted license then I guess!