The gearbox all-rounder
Key number B197
How do you want to drive?
The decision as to which type of vehicle you obtain your driving license with has far-reaching consequences for your driving options. It is important to understand which vehicles you are allowed to drive with which license or key number.
If you opt for an automatic driver’s license, this means that you are only allowed to drive vehicles with an automatic transmission. These vehicles do not have a clutch pedal and the key number 78 will be noted on your driver’s license. This code number means that you are not allowed to drive cars with a clutch pedal that must be operated by the driver.
If, on the other hand, you opt for a category B driving license without automatic transmission, you will be entitled to drive vehicles with both manual and automatic transmissions. However, you will have to do without the comforts that come with learning to drive an automatic car.
The choice between an automatic driving license and a category B driving license without automatic entry is therefore an important decision that has both advantages and disadvantages. However, regardless of your choice, the legislator has created regulations to ensure that you can obtain your driving license in a responsible and safe manner.
The automatic training:
Automatic transmission training eliminates the need for manual gear changes and clutching, which suits many learner drivers. Vehicles with automatic transmission are often easier to drive than those with manual transmission.
The automatic transmission system selects the gears independently, so you don’t have to change gear manually. This is particularly convenient for novice drivers, as the car takes over some tasks and you can concentrate fully on the road.
In the past, learner drivers who only obtained an automatic driving license had to put up with a disadvantage: The European key number 78 was entered on the license, which restricted its use to automatic vehicles.
With this entry, it was not permitted to drive a gearshift car. Until now, this deficit could only be remedied by taking a new driving test on a gearshift car.
Advantages of automatic training
- Especially at the beginning of your training, you don't spend any time learning how to shift gears and clutch.
- You can concentrate fully on road traffic and the other learning tasks associated with it.
- Many students learn faster and therefore need fewer driving lessons.
- You also take the driving test in a car with automatic transmission. This increases your chances of passing the test enormously.
Disadvantages of automatic training
- You are not allowed to drive cars with a manual gearbox, which limits your flexibility enormously.
- If you still drive a manual car, this is tantamount to "driving without a license".
- You are not always traveling with your own vehicle. Especially on vacation, it can happen that only a rental car is available.
Key number B197
- You must complete at least 10 driving lessons of 45 minutes each on a manual car (the driving lessons may take place after the basic practical training at the earliest).
- There is a 15-minute test drive with a driving instructor in a manual car (half of the test drive must be in town and half out of town).
- The key number 197 no longer contains any restrictions, which means that gearshift cars may also be driven.
- Existing class B automatic restrictions can also be removed in this way.
A look into the future
If you already have an automatic driver's license
Have you already obtained an automatic driver’s license and would now like to be able to drive a manual car? It is perfectly possible to remove the automatic restriction and obtain permission to drive a manual car.
All you have to do is register with a driving school again to learn how to use the clutch and change gear in a few driving lessons. As soon as you have mastered these skills, you will take another driving test at the TÜV, this time in a manual car.
This exam is usually shorter than the first practical exam, as you already have basic knowledge.
Once you have passed the test, the automatic restriction (key number 78) will be removed from your driver’s license. You are now authorized to drive both automatic and manual cars.
Feedback from our learner drivers
Even for a short stay at a driving school, it’s good to feel comfortable. You can read the experiences of other learner drivers here, which they have described in the form of a review on Google. If you want to read all our reviews, you can do so directly ” on Google
