If you pass your Queensland driving test in an automatic car, your licence will carry an automatic-only condition (condition A). That means you can only drive cars with an automatic transmission. To remove it, you'd need to pass a practical driving test in a manual car.
For most new drivers that's no problem at all. Here's how to decide which is right for you.
What the A condition means
Condition A on a Queensland licence means you may only drive a vehicle with an automatic transmission. It's listed on your licence and applies until you pass a test in a manual vehicle for that licence class.
Why most learners choose automatic
- Less to think about. No clutch and no gear changes, so you can focus on steering, observation, speed and road position.
- Calmer in traffic. Hill starts and stop-start traffic are much simpler without a clutch.
- Fewer skills to coordinate at once, which many learners find helps them feel confident sooner.
When manual might make sense
Think about manual if you'll need to drive a manual car for work, if the family car is manual, or if you'd like the flexibility to drive anything. You can also start with automatic and learn manual later.
Learning manual later
If you hold an automatic-only provisional or open licence, you're allowed to learn to drive a manual car of the same or a higher class. You'll need a supervisor who has held an open licence for that class for at least a year, and you'll need to display L plates while you learn. When you're ready, you pass a practical test in a manual car to remove the A condition.
Learn in an automatic with Easy L
Every Easy L lesson is in an automatic car with a female instructor who has more than 20 years' experience. We're a women-only driving school covering southside Brisbane and Logan, and we come to you. Read more about learning with a women-only driving school, or call 0433 190 838 to book.
