Code 78 on licenses: what it means and how to remove the restriction on automatic transmission

In modern driver's licenses, code '78' can increasingly be seen. This mark means that the practical exam was taken on a vehicle with an automatic transmission, and the driver is allowed to operate only such transport.

According to the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, referring to the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 1007 dated September 22, 2021, code '78' is placed in the twelfth column of the document. If there is no mark, the holder of the license can operate vehicles with both 'manual' and 'automatic' transmissions.

It is worth noting that this rule does not apply to those who obtained their licenses before 2021.

How training is conducted

In driving schools, candidates for drivers choose the transport for training themselves: with a manual or automatic gearbox. The course on 'manual' implies 40 hours of practice, on 'automatic' — 38.

However, if a student trained on an automatic gearbox but decided to take the exam on a manual, he must retake practical training specifically on 'manual'.