Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

A bit of background:

I swapped my Canadian licence for a UK licence a little over a year ago. Because I wasn't able to prove that I had taken my test (way back in 1986) on a manual and had been driving one incident-free for 23 years since, I've been stuck drivng an auto (full UK licence with restriction code 78).

Anyhow, my question: Until I get around to taking the manual test, under what circumstances am I allowed to drive a manual for the purpose of "practicing"? For example, am I OK if my wife (who holds a manual licence) is in the car with me? (I don't actually need practice, but it'd be handy if I could drive her car when we're out)

I've tried ringing the DVLA who didn't have an answer, and they've tried to pass me off to the DSA, but they're not open on the weekend.

As an aside- The whole concept of having to test on a manual seems a little pointless: If you're unable to drive a manual, then surely by default you're not going to get very far down the road. Also they've let me keep my motorcycle entitlement, so why not recognise that I understand how to operate a clutch and gearbox? :rolleyes:

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Your auto licence should give you provisional entitlement to drive a manual in which case, as long as you have a suitably qualified accompanying driver (ie, your wife has held her licence for more than 3 years and is over 21) AND you display L plates, then you will be ok.

Edit... AND you inform the insurance company that you are driving with a provisional licence.

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Not 100% on this, but as far as I know your automatic licence acts as a provisional manual licence, so if you displayed L-plates and have someone in the car who's 21 or older with a manual licence held for 3 years or more you'll be fine.

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

I think your full auto license is also your provisional manual license, so you must adhere to the restrictions of a learner driver if you are driving a manual, ie:

L plates front and rear
Supervised by someone over 21 who has held a full manual license for 3+ yrs
Not allowed to drive on the motorway

unless they've changed the L regs lately?

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

That'll teach me to start replying before going and researching...:rolleyes:

:D

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Oh yeah, before you take a manual test, get some lessons.

Being able to drive without incident (even with 23 years experience) and being able to pass the test, are two very different things.

Woz
Approved Driving Instructor who sees this kind of thing all the time.

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Yep, confirming the above.

Just make sure you let your insurance know that you are driving that car on a provisional licence.

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Thanks guys. Any idea if I'd have to notify the insurance company if the vehicle is already insured in my name (my wife is the named driver on the car)? I can just imagine confusing them and making things worse...

Odd about no motorway -the one place you'd be doing the least amount of shifting gears :rolleyes:

I suppose I should just make time to take the test and avoid the hassle.

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

You have an auto license but have a manual car insured in your name?

I thought Ins companies generally require you to have a license to drive the category of vehicle you're insuring...

Re: Driving a Manual on an Auto Licence
 

Yeah I've planned to do this as I'm aware of some odd standards (parking brake while stopped, and crossing hands while steering) that I'd hate to get caught out on.

Whaddya think would happen if I double-clutched and heel-toed my way through the exam? :)