Auto Licence and Tiptronic

[Snowboy]

A comment on another thread has made me wonder about something.

Is it legal to drive a tiptronic car with an Auto driving licence?

Does the auto licence just mean you can't have a car with a clutch, or does it mean you can't have a car where you choose the gears?

[Speed addicted]

I think the number of pedals is the decider.

[mrmr96]

Speed addicted said:

I think the number of pedals is the decider.

This 100%.

[mizx]

mrmr96 said:

Speed addicted said:

I think the number of pedals is the decider.

This 100%.

Yep. I have an auto licence for medical reasons, first two cars were semi-autos, currently driving a DSG Golf.

[R0G]

Clutch pedal = manual - as per DSA and DVLA rules

[kambites]

R0G said:

Clutch pedal = manual - as per DSA and DVLA rules

And common sense.

[thinfourth2]

What if you had a clutch lever on the gearshift. Perfectly possible on a bike engined car. Also F1 cars have a clutch lever for starting.

So would that count as a auto?

[kambites]

thinfourth2 said:

What if you had a clutch lever on the gearshift. Perfectly possible on a bike engined car. Also F1 cars have a clutch lever for starting.

So would that count as a auto?

That's an interesting question - I don't know whether the definition is a manual clutch or a foot operated clutch.

Mind you, I've never actually seen a road car with a hand-clutch.

[vescaegg]

If tiptronic and dsg type boxes become the norm (I unfortunately think they will) will people just start going for auto licences as a default?

[LongLiveTazio]

thinfourth2 said:

What if you had a clutch lever on the gearshift. Perfectly possible on a bike engined car. Also F1 cars have a clutch lever for starting.

So would that count as a auto?

Bet DVLA get requests like that all day.

"Hello, DVLA Swansea."

"Hi there, I've got an auto only license but was just wondering, can I drive an F1 car on the Queen's Highway?"

"Erm..."

[kambites]

vescaegg said:

If tiptronic and dsg type boxes become the norm (I unfortunately think they will) will people just start going for auto licences as a default?

I think we're a long way from that at the moment, but ultimately the answer is probably "yes".

[R0G]

The ruling for a manual

Does the vehicle have a clutch in which the driver can use it to change gear?
If yes then its a manual

On a DSA test the vehicle can be manual as long as to start and stop a clutch is used

[anonymous-user]

However a manufacturer wants to dress up the fact it's an automatic - SMG, tiptronic etc etc, they are all autos.

As somebody already said - if it has a clutch pedal, it's a manual.

[Kickstart68]

Hi

Just to echo the above, but for something extra the Renault Clio Zoom (normal gear stick but no clutch pedal, like the Saab Sensonic and Fiat Citymatic setups) was also counted as an auto.

All the best

Keith

[streaky]

My father had - briefly - in 1956 (IIRC) a Wolsey 15/50 with a Manumatic transmission, which operated (IIRC) as you moved the gear-lever.

I think it was available on the Austin Cambridge and Morris Oxford too.

Many of the light-blue 'Invacars' had hand-operated clutches.

Streaky

[ShampooEfficient]

Kickstart68 said:

Hi

Just to echo the above, but for something extra the Renault Clio Zoom (normal gear stick but no clutch pedal, like the Saab Sensonic and Fiat Citymatic setups) was also counted as an auto.

All the best

Keith

I have too much mechanical sympathy, I wouldn't trust that sort of system...

[caziques]

It would be interesting to find out how many countries differentiate between manual and auto licences.

Don't think the US does, NZ only does at a provisional level (ie once you pass a final test in an auto you get a licence for manual as well).

MIL used auto licence from UK to get full NZ one - she could now go back to the UK and drive a manual (and get a full licence).

[Nigel Worc's]

caziques said:

It would be interesting to find out how many countries differentiate between manual and auto licences.

Don't think the US does, NZ only does at a provisional level (ie once you pass a final test in an auto you get a licence for manual as well).

MIL used auto licence from UK to get full NZ one - she could now go back to the UK and drive a manual (and get a full licence).

I think it's only us !

I think we even do it for motorbikes now too.

[Rostfritt]

vescaegg said:

If tiptronic and dsg type boxes become the norm (I unfortunately think they will) will people just start going for auto licences as a default?

I think maybe when it gets difficult to buy a small city car with a standard set up. Probably instructors will hold out a while as it would be quicker to learn in an auto. Does anyone think that over a long period of time, once most licences are automatic, will the difference be dropped? Like in America where anyone who has a manual is obviously interested in driving enough to be competent in using one.

[Nigel Worc's]

I find it odd that manual licence holders can drive both, seeing as we've decided there must be a difference.

Although I like my auto now, I found it quite strange at first, especially trying to drive it to "standard".