Taking the practical test in an automatic car: what changes on the licence?

If you take the Italian category B practical test in a vehicle with an automatic transmission, the licence will normally show EU code 78, limiting you to automatic vehicles. The restriction applies to the licence issued, not only to the car used that day. Before booking, confirm with your driving school and the Motor Vehicle Office which transmission is recorded on your learner permit.

Code 78 stays with the licence

Code 78 is a harmonised restriction meaning that the holder may drive only vehicles with automatic transmission. MIT warns that taking the category B practical test in an automatic vehicle results in this code being added to the licence. After issue, you cannot assume that you may drive a manual car just because you also practised in one during lessons.

Make the choice before the test. Check which transmission is recorded on your application or learner permit and compare it with the vehicle booked for the test. Under the 2025 decree, mandatory category B practice must also use a transmission consistent with the learner permit. If you want a licence without the restriction, ask the Motor Vehicle Office which extension or test procedure applies; a driving lesson in a manual car does not itself remove code 78.

Check the document when it is issued

After the test, check the codes printed next to your category and ask for clarification promptly if an unexpected restriction appears. Code 78 concerns transmission; other codes may refer to vehicle adaptations or personal conditions and should not be interpreted in the same way. Removing a restriction requires the procedure set by the competent office and any required test.

For example, if you passed category B in an automatic car, do not immediately borrow a manual car on the assumption that category B is enough. Check the code on your licence first. An extra lesson or simulation does not automatically remove it; the new authorisation issued after the prescribed procedure is what matters.

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