Driving licence with automatic transmission restriction
Taking the practical test in an automatic-transmission vehicle restricts the licence to that type of gearbox. The restriction can later be removed.
Why this restriction exists
A driving licence may carry a restriction limiting its holder to vehicles fitted with an automatic gearbox. It is entered when the practical test was taken in an automatic-transmission vehicle rather than a manual one. The restriction codes entered on the licence are defined by the Federal Roads Office, FEDRO (Art. 24d VZV).
How to have it removed
The competent cantonal authority removes a restriction as soon as its holder meets the conditions required to drive without it (Art. 24e VZV). For the automatic transmission restriction in particular, a provision of the VZV in force since 1 February 2019 states that the restriction is removed on simple request, without a new practical test in a manual-transmission vehicle, unless there is doubt about the applicant's fitness to drive (Art. 151l para. 5 VZV).
The procedure
The request is made to the cantonal road traffic office that issued the licence. In principle, no additional test is required.