Can I take a driving test in a Semi-automatic? Which category?

TheWaltons_3

The title says it all!

Could I take my driving test in a semi-automatic car? If so, which category of licence would I get? Manual or Automatic?

Thanks in advance... I've scoured the net but only came up with Disabled drivers having their cars modified to help them.

iceicebaby

I believe thats you can only get a manual license if you take your test in a fully manual car.

Im sure someone will be along in a bit who will be able to confirm/correct this

TheWaltons_3

iceicebaby wrote: »

I believe thats you can only get a manual license if you take your test in a fully manual car.

Im sure someone will be along in a bit who will be able to confirm/correct this

I am thinking this myself... it doesn't trouble me either way, I'm just curious. My car is semi-auto and I hated it at first but now I am used to it - I was awful driving a Manual vehicle and loved Auto... but now on Semi-Auto but need to pass a test!

Hapless_2

I best thing to do is contact DVLA as I believe you need a manual license for a semi. I will chack on this though

Hapless_2

Yup according to this learner driver site http://www.abdt.co.uk/4.html

Semi-automatic cars have a capability of being used as a manual car and therefore require a full manual licence to drive without ‘L’ plates or supervision

ManAtHome

So if you take your test in one, do they have to record whether you used it in auto or semi-auto mode - all sounds a bit confusing...

No info on the DVLA site - have seen varying opinions on t'web, either:
a) you get an auto-only license as it doesn't have a clutch, or
b) you can drive one on an auto license as it doesn't have a clutch, or
c) you can't drive one on an auto license as it's not "hands off" (as per Hapless's post above).

Even a standard auto box isn't hands-off - you can "lock" the transmission in 1st, 1st and 2nd, 1st to 3rd, or just Drive...

If you do get an answer from the DVLA, could be worth flogging as on ebay ebook...

cajef

Unless they have changed the rules since I was a driving instructor (I have been retired for a couple of years now), I do not think you can take a test in a vehicle with a semi-auto gearbox, it has to be either manual or a normal auto gearbox.

Edit:- I stand corrected, just found this in the DSA website

SEMI-AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS With these the driver has to select the gear required by movement of the gear lever as with a manually controlled gearbox, but there is no clutch pedal. For driving test and licensing purposes these vehicles are regarded as automatics.

jrrowleyws

ask on 2passforum.co.uk they really know their stuff!