Driving test in semi automatic car

Splinters

Hi folks, this might be more a question for the RSA but I thought Id ask here on the off chance anyone knows for certain. Obviously I know if you pass your driving test in a manual car you have a license to drive a manual or automatic car, and if you pass in an automatic then your license only applies to an automatic car.

What I'm wondering is what about a semi automatic? The car I'm looking at buying is an automatic but with gear paddles so you can operate it in full manual mode. If I passed my test in this car (using full manual mode) would this be classed as an automatic or manual. I know its a bit of a grey area but technically this would be driving with manual gears and involve me changing gears based on my own judgement, and not using the auto gearbox.

Splinters

I was looking around online and think I may have found my answer. It was probably to be expected but they're still classified as automatics, even if used in manual mode. Its kind of makes sense anyway as even though its manual gear changes it removes some of the skills needed for manual cars like good clutch technique.

Alanstrainor

Yes you are correct. If the car does not have a manual clutch then it is considered an automatic.