Driving Trip-tronic(manual/automatic) gear box on automatic license

sexmag · 11-11-2020 02:41PM #1

Hi,

An issue that may pop up again so wanted some discussion on this topic.

I drive a car that has a trip-tronic gearbox which for those that dont know means you can drive automatic or go to manual although there is no clutch, you just shift up and down in gears as you drive (like a car game in an arcade).

I was stopped a checkpoint, tax,insurance and NCT all fine however i have a full license in the automatic category. The guard checking my license noticed this and looked at my gear stick. He noticed that it wasnt a full on automatic.

He asked about it and i explained what the functions were. He then asked "how do i know you werent driving the manual part of it,something you are not licensed to drive without a fully licensed driver with you?"

I really coudnt answer it and i guess he couldnt either and then sent me on my way.

Is there a grey area issue here? I mean its still functions as an automatic with this option too. I do use the manual part of it as it goes up in gears faster than the automatic function on the odd occasion but i cant find anything online about it.

Thanks

listermint · 11-11-2020 02:43PM

It's still automatic though electrically. It's not a Manual at all.

Discodog · 11-11-2020 06:28PM

listermint wrote: »

It's still automatic though electrically. It's not a Manual at all.

And you can drive a lot of automatics as manuals.

Pkiernan · 11-11-2020 06:43PM

sexmag wrote: »

Hi,

An issue that may pop up again so wanted some discussion on this topic.

I drive a car that has a trip-tronic gearbox which for those that dont know means you can drive automatic or go to manual although there is no clutch, you just shift up and down in gears as you drive (like a car game in an arcade).

I was stopped a checkpoint, tax,insurance and NCT all fine however i have a full license in the automatic category. The guard checking my license noticed this and looked at my gear stick. He noticed that it wasnt a full on automatic.

He asked about it and i explained what the functions were. He then asked "how do i know you werent driving the manual part of it,something you are not licensed to drive without a fully licensed driver with you?"

I really coudnt answer it and i guess he couldnt either and then sent me on my way.

Is there a grey area issue here? I mean its still functions as an automatic with this option too. I do use the manual part of it as it goes up in gears faster than the automatic function on the odd occasion but i cant find anything online about it.

Thanks

The guard sounds like a total fking dkhead in this instance.

Lenar3556 · 11-11-2020 07:09PM

It’s an automatic gearbox

The tiptronic really only allows minor driver discretion at to the gear selected.

Any one I ever drove will override an unsuitable gear.

ohnonotgmail · 11-11-2020 07:22PM

The guard was talking pony. The definition of automatic transmission is

S.I. No 537 of 2006 wrote:

“automatic transmission” means any system for connecting engine output to driven wheel which is controlled by any method except one consisting solely of driver operated mechanical or hydraulic linkages;

as your gearbox does not consist solely of driver operated mechanical or hydraulic linkages you are ok. It CAN be driver operated but this is not its only mode of operation.

bmc58 · 11-11-2020 07:28PM

sexmag wrote: »

Hi,

An issue that may pop up again so wanted some discussion on this topic.

I drive a car that has a trip-tronic gearbox which for those that dont know means you can drive automatic or go to manual although there is no clutch, you just shift up and down in gears as you drive (like a car game in an arcade).

I was stopped a checkpoint, tax,insurance and NCT all fine however i have a full license in the automatic category. The guard checking my license noticed this and looked at my gear stick. He noticed that it wasnt a full on automatic.

He asked about it and i explained what the functions were. He then asked "how do i know you werent driving the manual part of it,something you are not licensed to drive without a fully licensed driver with you?"

I really coudnt answer it and i guess he couldnt either and then sent me on my way.

Is there a grey area issue here? I mean its still functions as an automatic with this option too. I do use the manual part of it as it goes up in gears faster than the automatic function on the odd occasion but i cant find anything online about it.

Thanks

I drive a Hundai with exactly the same type of gearbox.I always leave in "D".The "manual " bit is only a gimmic IMO.My car is classed as an automatic on my registration Cert.And by Hundai.Tell the Garda that(if you ever meet him again) .End of.Garda being a prat.

Losty Dublin · 12-11-2020 12:41PM

bmc58 wrote: »

I drive a Hundai with exactly the same type of gearbox.I always leave in "D".The "manual " bit is only a gimmic IMO.My car is classed as an automatic on my registration Cert.And by Hundai.Tell the Garda that(if you ever meet him again) .End of.Garda being a prat.

Ah but Garda, yer man on Boards said that it's fine. Unless you want to appeal it to the Category Mods then shut up

He also said that you are a prat

frozenfrozen · 12-11-2020 12:44PM

Are you sure the garda wasn't joking?

Claw Hammer · 12-11-2020 01:28PM

A Garda can't be expected to know the mechanics of every model of car on the roads and is perfectly entitled to enquire when they see a gear shift in a car driven by a person with an automatic license.

ohnonotgmail · 12-11-2020 07:58PM

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Ah but Garda, yer man on Boards said that it's fine. Unless you want to appeal it to the Category Mods then shut up

He also said that you are a prat

the legislation says it is fine. No need to quote somebody from boards.ie

Driving Trip-tronic(manual/automatic) gear box on automatic license

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