Driving test on automatic or manual – which should you choose?

Many people wonder whether they should take the driving test on an automatic or a manual car when getting a class B licence. The choice is not only about how easy the test itself becomes, but also about which cars you are actually allowed to drive afterwards. If you take your test in an automatic car, your licence gets a restriction called code 78. This article explains the differences, the consequences, and how to make the right choice.

Table of contents

• What is the difference between automatic and manual?
• What does code 78 mean?
• Pros and cons
• How to choose the right option
• Can you upgrade from automatic to manual later?

What is the difference between automatic and manual?

With a manual gearbox, you operate the clutch and gear lever yourself, coordinate the throttle and clutch, and choose the right gear for the situation. In an automatic car the car shifts gears by itself, and there is no clutch pedal. You only need to steer, accelerate and brake.

For many learners, automatic means they can spend more attention on the traffic instead of on gear handling. That can make the training smoother, especially if you find clutch coordination demanding. To understand the technique behind gear selection better, read more in the article on gear selection and on manual versus automatic transmission .

What does code 78 mean?

If you take the practical test in an automatic car, your licence is marked with code 78. The code means you are only allowed to drive vehicles without a clutch pedal – that is, automatics. You are then not allowed to drive a car with a manual gearbox on that licence.

If you take the test on a manual, your licence has no such restriction. You can then drive both manual and automatic cars. This is an important difference to be aware of before you decide. You can read more about the rules in the in-depth article on licence code 78 and automatic transmission .

Pros and cons

Both options have their sides. Think about the kind of car you will drive after you pass, not only what is easiest during the test.

Advantages of automatic:

1. Easier to learn, fewer things to coordinate.
2. More attention for traffic, signs and right of way.
3. More and more new cars, and electric cars in particular, are automatic.

Disadvantages of automatic:

1. Code 78 restricts you to automatic vehicles.
2. You cannot borrow or legally drive a manual car.
3. Renting cars abroad can be harder, where manuals are more common.

Advantages of manual: full freedom to drive all passenger cars, no restriction, and broader competence. The disadvantage is that it requires more practice before you handle the clutch and shifting confidently enough for the test. If you struggle with the clutch, the technique in the article on common mistakes on the driving test may help.

How to choose the right option

Ask yourself what you realistically will drive over the next few years. If the family car or your own first car will be electric or automatic, code 78 is rarely a problem in practice. If, on the other hand, you need to drive work vehicles, older cars, rental cars abroad or borrow other people’s manual cars, it pays to take the test on a manual.

Remember that the whole licensing journey is the same regardless of transmission type: basic traffic course, supervised practice, mandatory stages and finally the theory and practical tests. To see the whole path, read about the driving test step by step and about the cost of the class B driving test . If you plan to use your own car for the test, check the requirements for using your own car .

Can you upgrade from automatic to manual later?

Yes. If you took the test on automatic and got code 78, you can later remove the restriction by sitting a new practical test in a manual car, or by documenting sufficient training and driving skill in a manual gearbox under the applicable rules. Code 78 is then removed, and you can drive both types. This means an extra test or training later, which you save by choosing manual right away – if you can pass it.

Whatever you choose, solid theory understanding is just as important. Test yourself with a free theory test and practise regularly in the Eteo app, so that you are well prepared for the theory test regardless of whether you go for automatic or manual. If you want to know more about the theory test itself, you will find answers in the article on the number of questions and pass mark .