Automatic to manual license?

The One Doctor

Hi all,

I've had a full automatic licence for the last seven years and due to my car being stolen, I've realised that manual cars are cheaper.

How easy is it to get a manual licence, considering that I already have a full licence?

All sensible answers appreciated!

alias no.9

Do a driving test, no other way.

Citizen Six

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058302263/automatic-to-manual-license

It's not really a full licence if you can't drive a manual.

freshpopcorn

Was there a reason why you got the Automatic license in the first place?

You've to do the driving test again.(Not sure about lessons tough).

Yep. You have to do a driving test again in a manual.

FishOnABike

Here's the process. https://www.ndls.ie/about/upgrade-an-automatic-car-licence-to-manual-licence.html

Your current licence would not cover you driving a manual vehicle.

You will need to get a learner permit without the automatic vehicle restriction (code 78 on license) and pass the driving test in a manual vehicle.

All learner permit restrictions would apply when driving a manual vehicle until you have a full license without the code 78 restriction.

User1998

Your going to be spending about €1,000 on lessons, licenses and driving tests if you change. Insurance will be expensive too as a learner. Why not put that money towards an automatic car? You can get reliable automatic cars for as little as €2,000

Edit: Maybe you wouldn’t spend €1,000 because theres no mention of having to do 12 lessons again. But you’d still need some lessons to pass.

FishOnABike

If you need to replace your stolen car any time soon I think another automatic is the only realistic option.

Waiting a few months (assuming you pass first time) before passing the test and getting an unrestricted B license to be allowed drive a manual unaccompanied wouldn't be a practical option for most people.

CramCycle

Apply for a test, wait several months, take test, pass. It would be easier just to buy another automatic.

smuggler.ie

Can someone explain the logic behind this all. No , i get - you would/might need drive test, but " L" and insurance...

You already have license, you already have road driving expirience, the only difference is - you have to put the approppriate gear in. 'Transformation' would require no more than couple drives.

Asking as full lic holder with 20+ year exp., perhaps underestimate difference . Prefer manual drive, but have driven auto several times on hired cars

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120763403#Comment_120763403

It's similar adding a new category to a license. It requires a skill that is not tested or included in your current license. Until you have been assessed as being sufficiently competent you are a learner in that category and subject to all the usual restrictions of a learner.

I'm driving over 30 years. Should I be able to add an E category without going through learner + test process - sure it's only pulling something behind the car I already know how to drive.

Similarly I can drive a Ford Transit van or similar on a B license, should I be able to drive something over the 3500 MAM limit because it's just a little bit bigger or should I have to go through the learner and test process for a C1 or C license?

I need a B license in all the above and have to go through the learner + test process to cover the training and assessment in the additional skills needed. Going from a B with restriction to driving vehicles with automatic transmission to B without restriction is similar.

mikeecho

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120763403#Comment_120763403

If that's the case, why not just do the test in a manual the first time.

Anyway, I don't think my kids will ever learn how to drive a manual, everything seems to be auto these days.

horse7

Is getting a driving test any quicker for a USA immigrant who is now living/working in Ireland who wants to change the USA one to IRL one, apparently over there they don't discriminate between manual and automatic, you just have e driving licence.

smuggler.ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120763697#Comment_120763697

Similar, not the same. Its the same category vihicle or there about. From my driving experience transit van can be more different driving than auto/manual and B allow you drive that withouth extra and without "penalties" on insurance( rip off on its own in any categorie and with any NCB, every year)

BTW left/right side driving, also is very different expirience for some.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764157#Comment_120764157

It's not much quicker. You need to do the theory test, get a learner permit and pass the test. The only saving is that you would only need to do 6 EDT lessons instead of the usual 12 lessons. While driving on your Irish learner permit you are subject to the usual learner restrictions.

zg3409

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120764157#Comment_120764157

I heard a tick that worked in the past, mot sure if it works now. In the UK you could swap USA to UK easily with no test. Then swap UK to Republic if Ireland with no test. The thinking is possibly during second works war the UK and USA had lots of mixing and so accepted the USA licence while Ireland may not accept it or automatic only. It's best to investigate it yourself. With a USA only licence you may pay much higher for insurance, and getting the test may take 6+ months and you may fail first time.

FishOnABike

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120767515#Comment_120767515

It doesn't work that way

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/travel-and-recreation/motoring/driver-licensing/exchanging-foreign-driving-permit/

Licences that were previously exchanged

If your original licence was issued in a non-recognised country, and you exchanged it for a licence in a recognised country, you cannot exchange your licence for an Irish licence.

An exchanged license will be easily identified by the inclusion of code 70 noted in section 12 on the back of the license.