automatic driving licence
Automatic driving licence B78 to Frankfurt
You are taking the standard Category B licence, but you take the practical test in an automatic vehicle. For this, the licensing authority enters the Code number 78 : vehicles with a clutch pedal that has to be operated are not covered by this.
Anyone wanting to keep their options open for manual cars would do better to compare straight away with B197 and the classic Class B.
At a glance
| No separate class | Category B with code 78 |
| Practical test | in an automatic vehicle |
| Allowed | anything without a clutch pedal to operate – automatics as well as electric cars |
| Not allowed | traditional manual cars |
| With BF17 | combinable |
| Can be lifted later | possible in principle |
Request a B78 consultation · Compare B78, B197 and Class B
Bring the question of which car is going to be parked outside after getting a driving licence – almost everything is decided by that.
The decision at a glance
B78, B197 or a traditional Class B?
All three lead to a category B driving licence. They differ in the test vehicle, the manual gear training and what you are allowed to drive afterwards.
Standard category B
Training and test in a manual car · followed by manual and automatic vehicles · no code restriction
For category B
B197
Practical test in an automatic car · plus prescribed manual training with test drive · thereafter manual and automatic vehicles · driving licence code 197
Re: B197
B78
Practical test in automatic car · no training with manual gears · vehicles without a clutch pedal only · code 78
B78 might be suitable, if you’ll be driving an automatic or an electric car for the long term The B197 or the classic Class B are more suitableNo option is fundamentally better
BF17 is not a gearbox variant and can be combined with all three configurations.
Two typical scenarios: if you have an automatic car at home and nothing else, B78 is a sensible choice. On the other hand, if you book a hire car whilst on holiday or are likely to be given a company car, the B197 offers greater flexibility – the fleets are mixed, and the restriction also applies abroad.
Vehicles
What you’re allowed to drive with a B78 licence
B78 is no separate driving licence category, but category B with code 78. Its wording in the regulations is: “Only vehicles with automatic transmission”.
The clutch pedal alone is decisive – neither the propulsion nor the transmission type. If you have to operate a clutch pedal when moving off, stopping or changing gear, the vehicle is legally classified as a manual car for licence purposes.
Allowed
automatic vehicles of category B · electric cars without a clutch pedal – this applies to practically all models common today · hybrids without a clutch pedal
Not allowed
traditional manual cars with a clutch pedal · mild hybrids with manual transmission
The restriction also applies to short distances and borrowed vehicles. Within the EU and the EEA, code 78 is also recognised as an automatic transmission restriction. When driving in other countries, you must additionally check whether and under what conditions your German driving licence is recognised there.
In Germany, with code 78 entered, you may not drive any vehicle on public roads that requires you to operate a clutch pedal.
What speaks in favour of it
Clutching and gear shifting are eliminated – more attention remains for the traffic. No stalling, and pulling away on hills is easier with many automatic vehicles. Ideal if an automatic or electric vehicle is planned anyway.
What speaks against it
Traditional manual cars are off-limits – including rented ones and even for short distances. Hire cars, company cars and second-hand car offers still feature manuals. A later lifting of the restriction is possible, but costs extra time and a trip to the authorities.
The training itself is no disadvantage. Theory, special training drives, test duration, test standard and probationary period are identical to category B.
With category B, categories AM and L included; they are subject to their own vehicle and usage limits. Be is a separate driving licence category and is not automatically included – More about BE.
In five steps
This is how the training programme works
Get advice and register
Drop in to any of our branches – no appointment needed.
Theory and practice begin
The theory corresponds to a standard B licence – the gearbox does not change this. The practical training takes place in the automatic car.
Theory test
Following the lessons, the free pre-test and official authorisation.
Special training drives and test preparation
Overland, motorway and night drives – to the same extent as for category B
Practical test and certification
You will sit the test in an automatic car. You will then be awarded a Class B licence with licence code 78.
Detailed information on how theory lessons, compulsory lessons and exams are organised can be found on the page for Class B. Here we only cover what is different about the automatic option.
Not final
Have B78 lifted later
The restriction can be deleted later. Section 17a(2) of the Driving Licence Ordinance (Fahrerlaubnis-Verordnung) expressly provides for this two ways – and you can still start years later.
Option 1 · Manual gear training at the driving school
At least ten driving lessons, each lasting 45 minutes in a manual car, plus a Test drive of at least 15 minutes The driving school issues a certificate, and the driving licence office then enters the Code 197 a.
Deadline: The entry must be made within one year of completing the manual gear training.
Option 2 · Practical test in a manual car
A practical test with an officially recognised expert (test examiner).
The restriction is not lifted not automatically – You apply for it at the driving licence office, which will amend the entry and issue you with a new card-style driving licence.
We also provide the manual gear training for people who didn’t get their driving licence with us. Ten lessons are the legal minimum – we’ll discuss beforehand how many make sense for you. Enquire about manual gear training
Three special cases
Restriction imposed for health reasons: In that case, the driving school certificate is not sufficient. You will need to clarify the procedure with the driving licence authority.
Other classes: Who Be or holds or is planning a lorry category should clarify the automatic transmission question separately for that category.
BF17: BF17 governs age and the requirement for an accompanying driver, whilst B78 governs the gearbox. The two can be combined. Until the driver’s 18th birthday, the requirement for an accompanying driver and the automatic gearbox restriction then apply simultaneously – More about BF17.
Why FAHRPLAN
Why FAHRPLAN
· Personal consultation on the variant – Before you enrol, we’ll help you decide whether B78, B197 or the traditional Class B best suits your daily routine
· automatic and manual vehicles in the vehicle fleet – also for the later manual gear training
· Theory lessons from Monday to Friday - you can join whenever you like
· Four locations in Frankfurt – you freely choose where you register and practise
· Structured exam preparation with a free mock test before the theory test
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about B78
What does code 78 mean?
“Only vehicles with automatic transmission”. It is in column 12 of your driving licence …
Can I drive an electric car with a B78 licence?
Yes, provided the vehicle does not have a clutch pedal – this applies to practically all electric cars common today. According to the Driving Licence Ordinance, the decisive factor is solely the clutch pedal, not the propulsion system.
Am I allowed to drive hybrid vehicles?
It all comes down to the clutch pedal. Conventional full and plug-in hybrids do not have one and are permitted. A mild hybrid with manual transmission, on the other hand, is a manual car.
What is the difference between B78 and B197?
At B197 at least ten gear-shifting lessons and a test drive are added to that. This allows you to drive manual cars within category B and … and automatic vehicles. With B78, this proof of manual training is not required …
Can I have B78 cancelled at a later date?
Yes, and you can start doing that years later – either via ten hours of manual instruction including a test drive at a driving school, or via a practical test in a manual car. However, there is a deadline for the driving school route: code number 197 must be entered within one year of completing the manual training. This option is not available if the restriction was entered for health reasons.
Do I need a new test for this?
Not via the driving school – neither theory nor practice. Only if you choose the examination route do you take a practical test; in that case, the requirement for formal training is waived.
Can I combine BF17 with B78?
Yes. BF17 regulates age and supervision; B78 governs the gearbox. During the supervised phase, both restrictions apply simultaneously.
Next step
Which option suits your everyday life?
Pop into one of our four branches without an appointment. We’ll have a look together at which vehicle you’ll be driving in future and whether you can rule out manual cars – and we’ll compare the B78, B197 and the classic Category B with you. Under 18? Then there’s also BF17 a topic.