Code 78 is the most misunderstood item on an Irish driving licence. Many people who have it do not know exactly what it restricts, whether it matters in their situation, or that it can be removed. This guide covers everything — what Code 78 is, where it comes from, what you can and cannot do with it, and the precise steps to remove it if you decide to.

Source & Accuracy Note: Driving licence restriction codes in Ireland are governed by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and administered by the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS). Code 78 is a standardised EU driving licence restriction harmonised across all EU/EEA member states. Always verify current rules at ndls.ie. BP Driving School is an RSA-approved ADI based in Swords, North Dublin, offering both automatic and manual lessons.
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Years until Code 78 expires — it never does without action
EU
Code 78 is an EU-harmonised restriction — applies in all member states
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EDT sessions needed to remove Code 78 — no repeat EDT required
In This Guide
  1. What Is Code 78?
  2. Where Does It Appear on Your Licence?
  3. Who Gets Code 78?
  4. What Code 78 Restricts — and What It Doesn’t
  5. Practical Impact — Does It Actually Matter?
  6. Common Myths About Code 78
  7. Code 78 When Driving Abroad or Moving to Another Country
  8. How to Remove Code 78 — Step by Step
  9. Should You Bother Removing It?
  10. Frequently Asked Questions

What Is Code 78?

Code 78 is a harmonised EU driving licence restriction code that limits the holder to driving vehicles with automatic transmission only. In Ireland, it is placed on a driving licence when the holder passed their RSA Category B driving test in an automatic vehicle.

The code number 78 is standardised across all EU and EEA member states — it means the same thing on an Irish licence, a German licence, a French licence, or any other EU licence. It is not an Irish-specific restriction; it is part of the EU’s harmonised coding system for licence conditions.

In plain language: If your Irish driving licence has Code 78 in the restrictions column, you are legally authorised to drive automatic transmission cars only. You may not drive a car with a manual (standard) gearbox and clutch pedal — in Ireland or anywhere else in the EU — until Code 78 is removed from your licence.

Where Does It Appear on Your Licence?

On the Irish photocard driving licence, restriction and information codes appear in Column 12 — labelled “Restrictions/Information” on the back of the card. The entry will read B: 78, meaning the restriction applies to Category B (cars) only.

If you do not see any code in Column 12 of your licence, your licence has no transmission restriction — you can drive both manual and automatic vehicles. If you see B: 78, the automatic-only restriction applies to your car category.

Who Gets Code 78?

Code 78 is applied to your Irish driving licence in one specific circumstance: you passed your RSA Category B driving test in an automatic vehicle.

This applies regardless of:

  • When you passed your test (Code 78 has been in use for many years)
  • Whether you intended to get the restriction or not
  • How much driving experience you have
  • Whether you mostly drive automatic cars in practice

Code 78 is also applied to licences exchanged from other EU countries where the holder’s original licence carried an equivalent automatic-only restriction. If you exchanged a licence from another EU country that had Code 78 (or its equivalent), your Irish licence will carry Code 78 too.

Foreign licence holders: If you hold a full licence from an EU country and exchange it at the NDLS, any automatic-only restriction on your original licence will be reflected on your Irish licence. If your original EU licence was unrestricted, your Irish licence will also be unrestricted.
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What Code 78 Restricts — and What It Doesn’t

What Code 78 prevents
  • Driving any car with a manual (standard) gearbox and clutch pedal in Ireland
  • Driving a manual car in any EU/EEA country — Code 78 is recognised across the EU
  • Hiring a manual car from a hire company in Ireland or elsewhere in the EU
  • Driving a friend’s or family member’s manual car, even for a short distance
  • Driving a manual company vehicle as part of your employment
What Code 78 does not prevent
  • Driving any automatic transmission car, SUV, or van — Code 78 places no restriction on automatics
  • Driving electric vehicles — all EVs are automatic and Code 78 places no restriction on them
  • Driving hybrid cars with automatic transmission — most modern hybrids are automatic
  • Hiring an automatic car abroad — hire companies will provide an automatic to a Code 78 holder
  • Supervising a learner permit holder — your Code 78 full licence qualifies you as a supervising driver (for automatic vehicles)

Practical Impact — Does It Actually Matter?

Whether Code 78 significantly impacts your daily life depends almost entirely on what car you drive and what your future driving plans are. For many people in Ireland, it has no meaningful practical impact at all. For others, it is a real limitation worth addressing.

Code 78 matters less if:

  • You own or plan to buy an automatic car — Code 78 is simply irrelevant to your daily driving
  • You are moving toward electric vehicle ownership — all EVs are automatic, and Code 78 does not restrict you
  • You live and work in urban Dublin and do not need to hire or borrow cars regularly
  • You primarily use public transport and drive occasionally

Code 78 matters more if:

  • You need to drive a manual vehicle for work — many company cars and vans are manual
  • You travel and hire cars abroad — continental European hire fleets are predominantly manual
  • You want to buy a second-hand car — the majority of affordable used cars in Ireland are manual
  • You want the flexibility to drive any car, including a friend’s or family member’s manual
  • You are planning to move to a country where automatic cars are less prevalent
The EV factor: As Ireland transitions toward electric vehicles, Code 78 becomes progressively less limiting for everyday drivers. Every EV is automatic. If your long-term plan involves electric vehicle ownership — which SEAI grants make increasingly attractive — Code 78 may genuinely never restrict you in practice.

Want to Remove Code 78?

BP Driving School can help you prepare for the manual RSA driving test across North Dublin — Swords, Finglas, Raheny, Malahide, Artane, Clontarf and surrounding areas. No EDT required. 7 days a week.

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Common Myths About Code 78

Code 78 generates more confusion and misinformation than almost any other aspect of Irish driving licences. Here are the most common myths — and the facts that correct them.

Myth

“Code 78 automatically expires after a few years.”

Fact

Code 78 does not expire. It remains on your licence indefinitely — even when your licence is renewed — until you actively remove it by passing a manual driving test and applying to the NDLS.

Myth

“I can still drive a manual car as long as I’m careful and don’t get caught.”

Fact

Driving a manual car with a Code 78 licence is a road traffic offence in Ireland — equivalent to driving without a licence for that category. Insurance policies typically require the driver to hold a valid licence for the vehicle being driven. Driving a manual on a Code 78 licence could therefore also invalidate your motor insurance.

Myth

“I need to do EDT all over again to remove Code 78.”

Fact

EDT applies to first-time learner permit holders only. If you already hold a full Irish driving licence with Code 78, you do not need a learner permit or EDT to remove the restriction. You simply need to take manual driving lessons, pass the RSA test in a manual car, and apply to the NDLS.

Myth

“Code 78 only applies in Ireland — I can drive a manual abroad.”

Fact

Code 78 is a harmonised EU restriction that applies in all EU and EEA member states. You cannot legally drive a manual car in Germany, France, Spain, or any other EU country on a Code 78 Irish licence. The restriction travels with the licence wherever you go within the EU.

Myth

“Once I get Code 78 removed, I need to sit the driving test again every time I renew my licence.”

Fact

Once Code 78 is removed from your licence, it is removed permanently. Your subsequent licence renewals will not re-introduce the restriction. You only need to remove it once.

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Code 78 When Driving Abroad or Moving to Another Country

Because Code 78 is an EU-harmonised code, it applies consistently across all EU and EEA member states. The practical implications vary depending on where you are going.

Within the EU/EEA: Code 78 restricts you to automatic transmission vehicles in every EU/EEA country. This is directly relevant if you plan to hire a car while on holiday in Europe — car hire fleets in countries such as France, Spain, Italy, and Germany are predominantly manual. Always request an automatic when booking, and confirm availability before travel.

Moving to another EU country: If you move from Ireland to another EU country and exchange your Code 78 Irish licence for a local one, the Code 78 restriction will be carried over onto your new licence. It does not disappear on exchange. You would need to remove it before exchanging, or remove it in the new country according to their process.

Outside the EU: How your Code 78 Irish licence is treated outside the EU depends on the country. Some countries recognise EU licence restriction codes; others may not. If you are driving in a non-EU country on your Irish licence, check with that country’s road authority or the local Irish Embassy before assuming the restriction applies or does not apply.

How to Remove Code 78 — Step by Step

Removing Code 78 is a straightforward process. It does not require a learner permit, EDT, or starting from scratch. The key requirement is passing the RSA driving test in a manual vehicle.

1
Take Manual Driving Lessons

Book lessons with an RSA-approved ADI who offers manual tuition. The number of lessons you need depends on your starting point. If you have driven automatics for several years, clutch control will need dedicated practice — most people need between 6 and 12 manual sessions before reaching test-ready standard, though this varies significantly by individual. Your ADI will advise based on your progress.

2
Book the RSA Driving Test in a Manual Vehicle

Once your ADI confirms you are test-ready, book the driving test at rsa.ie. You must book specifically as a manual test — not automatic. Ensure you bring or arrange a roadworthy manual vehicle for the test. Consider hiring a dual-control manual car for the test day if you do not have access to a suitable vehicle.

3
Pass the RSA Driving Test

The test is the same RSA Category B driving test — approximately 30 minutes on public roads. In North Dublin, tests typically take place from Raheny or Finglas test centres. A mock test in a manual vehicle beforehand is strongly recommended. You must pass this test to proceed.

4
Apply at the NDLS to Remove Code 78

After passing, book an NDLS appointment at ndls.ie. Bring your driving test pass certificate and your current driving licence. The NDLS will update your licence to remove the Code 78 restriction. Your new licence will be posted to you, and from that point you are legally authorised to drive manual vehicles.

Documents for the NDLS Application

  • Current Irish driving licence (the one with Code 78)
  • RSA driving test pass certificate (manual test)
  • Completed D401 application form
  • NDLS application fee (verify current fee at ndls.ie)
No learner permit, no EDT, no waiting period: You do not need a learner permit to work toward removing Code 78. You do not need to complete EDT. There is no mandatory waiting period between taking lessons and booking the test. Your existing full licence remains valid throughout — you can continue driving your automatic car while preparing for the manual test.

Should You Bother Removing It?

This is a genuinely individual decision, and there is no universal right answer. Here is an honest framework.

Removing Code 78 is worth considering if:

  • You need or want to drive a manual car for work, family, or practical reasons now or in the foreseeable future
  • You travel to Europe regularly and want the flexibility to hire whichever car is available
  • You plan to buy a second-hand car and want the widest choice at the best price
  • You find the restriction psychologically uncomfortable, even if the practical impact is limited

Removing Code 78 may not be necessary if:

  • You own or are committed to buying an automatic or electric vehicle and have no need to drive manual
  • You live in Dublin, drive primarily in urban traffic, and manual cars are not part of your life
  • You are moving toward EV ownership in the near term
  • The cost and time of lessons and a further test outweighs the benefit given your actual driving needs
A practical suggestion: If you are unsure, defer the decision. Live with Code 78 for a year after getting your licence. After twelve months of real driving experience, you will have a much clearer picture of whether the restriction is genuinely affecting your life or is simply theoretical. Many drivers realise it has made no practical difference at all — others find the flexibility of a full unrestricted licence worth pursuing.
Related guides on this site:
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Frequently Asked Questions

Code 78 restricts the holder to driving automatic transmission vehicles only. It is applied when you passed your RSA driving test in an automatic car. It appears as “B: 78” in Column 12 (Restrictions/Information) on the back of your Irish photocard licence.

No. Code 78 does not expire and is not removed automatically, even when your licence is renewed. It remains on your licence until you pass the manual RSA driving test and apply to the NDLS to have it removed.

Take manual driving lessons, pass the RSA driving test in a manual vehicle, then apply at the NDLS with your pass certificate and current licence. No EDT is required. Your existing licence remains valid while you prepare. Once the NDLS processes your application, your new licence will be issued without Code 78.

No. Driving a manual vehicle on a Code 78 licence is a road traffic offence. It may also invalidate your motor insurance, as most policies require a valid licence for the vehicle being driven. Code 78 applies in Ireland and across all EU/EEA countries.

Yes. Code 78 is a harmonised EU restriction code that applies in all EU and EEA member states. You cannot drive a manual car in France, Germany, Spain, or any other EU country on a Code 78 Irish licence. If you move to another EU country and exchange your licence, Code 78 will be carried over to the new licence.

No. EDT applies only to first-time learner permit holders. If you already hold a full Irish licence (even with Code 78), you do not need a learner permit or EDT to remove the restriction. Take manual lessons, pass the RSA test in manual, and apply to the NDLS. That is the entire process.
Accuracy note: Licence restriction codes and NDLS procedures are governed by the RSA and are subject to change. Always verify at ndls.ie or rsa.ie before acting. BP Driving School is an RSA-approved ADI in Swords, North Dublin, offering both automatic and manual lessons.

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