What's the penalty for driving a manual on auto license in Australia?

Can you drive a manual car with an automatic license in Australia?

Like Ford vs Holden, the debate between manual vs automatic was once a great divide in Australia. But in recent years more and more people have chosen to skip learning how to drive and change gears themselves, and opted for an automatic-only license. But what exactly are the rules around it in each Australian state and territory? 

In this article we’ll break down the key questions, like, ‘do you need a manual license?’ And find out ‘can you drive manual on full license?’ The rules are fairly straightforward, but it is important to know exactly what they are before you get behind the wheel.

Naturally, if you break rules the penalty for driving manual on auto license can be significant but it varies from state-to-state and will be determined by the individual circumstances, but expect both a fine and demerit points. 

NSW

If you decide to get your New South Wales provisional P1 driver’s license in an automatic-equipped car you cannot drive a manual unless you are being supervised by someone with an unrestricted license.  Alternatively, you can wait until you get your P2 or unrestricted license, at which point you are free to drive either an automatic or manual vehicle. If that’s taking too long, your final option is to sit your P1 test again but do so in a vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox.

VIC 

In Victoria an automatic-only license is known as an ‘A condition’ license and is valid during your probationary period. Once you complete your probationary period, you are free to drive a manual vehicle without any further testing.

QLD

Things are slightly stricter in Queensland, with anyone wanting to drive a manual transmission vehicle needing to pass a specific test, even if they have their open license. To achieve this you will need to learn with supervision from someone with an open license or when you are a learner with L plates displayed.

SA

South Australia has a simple approach - your driver’s license (not your provisional license) allows you to drive either type of transmission. 

WA

Western Australia follows a similar strategy to Queensland, with a clear difference between a manual (C class) and automatic (C-A class) licence. In order to drive a manual you must pass the specific practical test, even if you have your full licence.

TAS

Tasmania has some of the strictest practices in this regard, with drivers on an automatic licence required to spend at least three years (without any suspensions or disqualifications) before they are allowed to drive a manual without any additional testing.

Even if you have your full licence, to practice driving a manual vehicle on an automatic licence you will need to display an L plate, be restricted to 90km/h and be accompanied by a qualified manual driver.

However, if you need to drive a manual sooner than three years, you will need to pass a driving assessment in a manual vehicle.

ACT

The nation’s capital is another to take a firmer stance. It’s automatic only until you pass a specific manual test regardless of what licence you have.

NT

In the Northern Territory you are able to drive a manual vehicle on your provisional automatic licence, provided you are supervised by a manual-licence holder. You can choose to take a manual driving test during your 12-month probationary licence period, or when you graduate to your full licence the restriction is removed anyway.