You must be at least 16½ years old to get your restricted licence. You must also have held your learner licence for 6 months. You can drive on your own between 5am and 10pm. Between 10pm and 5am you must have a supervisor. If you sit your test in an automatic vehicle, you will only be allowed to drive automatic vehicles. Historically, a full car licence permitted drivers to ride a motorcycle up to 125cc without having to take any other tests or entitlements. However, the current rules state that even if you have a full licence for a car, you still have to take your CBT in order to be able to ride a small (125cc or under) motorcycle and use L-plates on the bike Unlike other states you will not be able to drive a manual car legally once you hold an open licence. You must sit a manual practical driving test. Please note: If you hold a CA licence and crash a manual car, you are at fault) Getting a fine from the police should be the least of your worries. You might also enjoy • pay the full licence test fee - see the What it costs section • pass the full licence practical driving test - see the Passing your practical tests section. Once you hold a full class 1 licence, you can drive either automatic or manual vehicles, regardless of the type of vehicle you sat your test in. Identification requirements If you're only licensed for an automatic car, it's against the law to drive a manual vehicle on public roads. To do this, you'll need to sit another driving test and upgrade your automatic licence to a manual one. If you're licensed to drive a manual car in the UK, you're allowed to drive an automatic vehicle on public roads. The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence ( CPC) part 3 (driving ability) test is 1 of the 4 tests you have to pass to drive a lorry or bus for a living. The test was split into 2 parts on If your provisional or open licence only authorises you to drive a class of motor vehicle fitted with an automatic transmission, you are also authorised to learn to drive or ride the same or higher class of motor vehicle fitted with a manual transmission. Different rules apply when learning to ride motorcycles. Learning to drive a higher class 2. Start on level ground with the car off, the transmission is in neutral, and the parking brake engaged. Especially if this is your first time driving a car with a manual transmission, start slowly and methodically. Put your seat belt on once you sit down. While learning, it can be useful to roll down the windows. Automatic vehicles. P1 licence holders who passed their driving test in an automatic vehicle (including vehicles with an automatic clutch actuator) will be restricted to driving automatics, unless they are being supervised by a person with an unrestricted licence. How To Drive A Manual Car 1. Before starting the car, depress the clutch pedal to the floor and check the gear stick is in neutral, which should be in the middle of the gear selector positions. 2. Start the car, keeping the clutch pedal on the floor, put your right foot on the foot brake, and select first gear. 3. If you hold a manual licence, you can legally drive and rent an automatic car, although letting the car handle the gears might take some getting used to. Discover quick tips for driving an automatic car. Automatics are easier to drive than manua