RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission?

nirupesh · 21st March 2016, 19:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by DicKy

AFAIK, there is not provision to pass the driving test in an automatic geared car in India.

You have to pass the test in a manual tranny car and i guess only the handicapped are allowed to pass the test in automatics or something like that.

Maybe this will change with the greater proliferation of automatics (AMTs) in the market and we will have the same tests as in other major markets.

Thanks DicKy. Are you saying this with first hand information? Were you or someone you knew turned away because they appeared for a test in AT? Or are you saying this based on what is quoted in Rule 15 of MVA 1988?

Clearly folks here seem to have had experiences that is telling about the inconsistency in the rule being enforced, and it appears very subjective.

DicKy · 21st March 2016, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by nirupesh

Thanks DicKy. Are you saying this with first hand information? Were you or someone you knew turned away because they appeared for a test in AT? Or are you saying this based on what is quoted in Rule 15 of MVA 1988?

Well, its rather the norm. Haven't heard of anyone arriving for the test in an automatic. Most of the people pass the test in manual and after getting their license start to drive automatics.
Its actually a grey area as there is no mention of whether LMVs should have manual or automatics, but technically the instructor looks at how we upshift and downshift according to the traffic conditions. So yes. You need a manual car to pass the tests, unless the government brings a new class of 'LMV ungeared.'

Till then, one has to pass the test in a manual am afraid.

(On a side note, the most stringent of tests , at least in Kerala includes a 'H' test and drive a short distance on a public road, deserted roads probably. So you would be able to learn manual in a couple of weeks, pass the test and back to automatics after the test. After all its in the daily grind that automatics come to the rescue)

nirupesh · 21st March 2016, 20:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by DicKy

Well, its rather the norm. Haven't heard of anyone arriving for the test in an automatic. Most of the people pass the test in manual and after getting their license start to drive automatics.
Its actually a grey area as there is no mention of whether LMVs should have manual or automatics, but technically the instructor looks at how we upshift and downshift according to the traffic conditions. So yes. You need a manual car to pass the tests, unless the government brings a new class of 'LMV ungeared.'

Till then, one has to pass the test in a manual am afraid.

(On a side note, the most stringent of tests , at least in Kerala includes a 'H' test and drive a short distance on a public road, deserted roads probably. So you would be able to learn manual in a couple of weeks, pass the test and back to automatics after the test. After all its in the daily grind that automatics come to the rescue)

Thank you. Clearly there is inconsistency in different RTOs. Let's see if others have had different experiences.

There's a long story on why I need to take my DL test in AT and not in MT, I'll save that for another post

GTO · 22nd March 2016, 09:53

Go ahead with your AT car, but don't bring it up yourself. Why ask when you know it's a 50:50 situation. I know of some people who've gotten their licence with an AT at the Tardeo RTO.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

Interesting, USA doesn't have such classification or restriction, one can drive either a Manual or automatic car with a Car license.

Easy to understand why - there are no manuals in the USA

.

If you pass the test in an AT, that's fine as 99% of the cars there are AT anyway. If you pass the test in an MT, well, that means you'll easily be able to drive an AT.

Either way, the public isn't at harm!

gsurya · 22nd March 2016, 10:06

An year back I was at the RTO to give my driving test to get my 2-wheeler license on my Vespa, but had applied for a geared 2-wheeler license.

With me was a lady in her Brio AT but she had applied for a geared license too.

She was refused one, I wasn't. Both were through agents. So its quite whimsical & unpredictable on the part of RTO.

msdivy · 22nd March 2016, 10:59

I can give driving test in Activa, pass, get DL and is eligible to ride Bullet. Why can't I give test in AT car and then be eligible to drive MT? IMO, changing gears is very small part of driving and RTO should not be concerned.

I think it is because there is less of AT cars. When there is critical mass for ATs, then RTOs would be fine. Till then I would suggest taking an MT car for test.

libranof1987 · 22nd March 2016, 11:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdivy

I can give driving test in Activa, pass, get DL and is eligible to ride Bullet.

Nope. Legally, motorcycle with and without are two distinct categories. You have to take tests for each separately. The DL has two endorsements: MCWOG, MCWG.

roy_libran · 22nd March 2016, 11:45

This is an interesting thread - thanks to the OP.

This brings out yet another antiquated aspect of the laws in India. At some point in our history, it might have been a reasonable assumption, that everyone would drive a manual, so should need learn how to handle the Gear and Clutch combo. But today, there are many of us, who don't even want to touch a Manual Transmission car. It is not as if these people can't drive, or drive any lesser than others.

A case for another Change.org petition perhaps!

msdivy · 22nd March 2016, 12:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Nope. Legally, motorcycle with and without are two distinct categories. You have to take tests for each separately. The DL has two endorsements: MCWOG, MCWG.

I got mixed up with 50cc MCWOG & MCWOG. Thanks for correcting. BTW, I got my MCWG license on Bajaj Chetak. But I bought a bike later

Technocrat · 22nd March 2016, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by GTO

Easy to understand why - there are no manuals in the USA

.

If you pass the test in an AT, that's fine as 99% of the cars there are AT anyway. If you pass the test in an MT, well, that means you'll easily be able to drive an AT.

Either way, the public isn't at harm!

True, if someone doesnt know how to drive a manual they probably wont be able to get the car out of the parking lot so no harm indeed

silversteed · 22nd March 2016, 17:48

The MVI who'd conducted my road test categorically denied having an option to use an LMV with AT for license tests.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Technocrat

True, if someone doesnt know how to drive a manual they probably wont be able to get the car out of the parking lot so no harm indeed

Yea, they say the best anti-theft device in the US of A is a "stick-shift" :P
It did remind me of this post I'd made long ago

landcruiser123 · 22nd March 2016, 19:47

Well, I don't think the MV act has a provision to issue license for exclusively driving a automatic 4 wheeler. It's a tricky situation.
Here's what you could do:

Going Through a driving school agent might help
I don't want to advice any other possible method

In the same breath, I should add that I know quite a lot of people who have for licence for geared 2 wheeler even though they only drove an automatic scooter for testing purposes.

audioholic · 23rd March 2016, 14:09

When I gave my driving test, I had applied for Motor-Cycle with Gear but I was never used to riding one. I just wanted a licence for gearless bike. But since at a later stage I would have to reappear for a test, the driving school guys told me to get one for a geared bike. I had to borrow a persons bike at the test venue and somehow managed to go for a round since I was used to clutch and gear in the car. I was not allowed to appear for the test in a gearless scooter.

sagarpadaki · 23rd March 2016, 14:14

How does the inspector know that you are in an AT car?

Atleast in the Rajajinagar RTO(KA-02) where i got my DL, the inspector does not accompany you round the track. He sits at a distance and observes how you traverse the circuit. Unless you disclose he cannot know.

So if there is no one in the passenger seat, i think you can go ahead with an AT car and 'fool' the inspector .LOL

nirupesh · 16th May 2016, 16:15

UPDATE: My wife and I borrowed a friend's AT car for a driving test in KA51 (Bangalore) two weeks ago and got our license without any issues. The driving inspector didn't even sit with me or my wife while we drove, we were just asked to drive straight, make a U turn and come back. Simple enough!

That being said, it appears that the letter of the law still states that it is imperative to test driving, gear change, clutch, and park ability to issue a new DL so in theory it should not be possible to get a DL in an AT car, until they introduce an LMV-AT category like they do in two wheelers.

22nd March 2016, 10:06	#20
gsurya BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 780 Thanked: 694 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? An year back I was at the RTO to give my driving test to get my 2-wheeler license on my Vespa, but had applied for a geared 2-wheeler license. With me was a lady in her Brio AT but she had applied for a geared license too. She was refused one, I wasn't. Both were through agents. So its quite whimsical & unpredictable on the part of RTO.
	() Thanks

22nd March 2016, 10:59	#21
msdivy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,879 Thanked: 3,066 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? I can give driving test in Activa, pass, get DL and is eligible to ride Bullet. Why can't I give test in AT car and then be eligible to drive MT? IMO, changing gears is very small part of driving and RTO should not be concerned. I think it is because there is less of AT cars. When there is critical mass for ATs, then RTOs would be fine. Till then I would suggest taking an MT car for test.
	() Thanks

22nd March 2016, 11:45	#23
roy_libran Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: DNCR Posts: 1,695 Thanked: 3,643 Times View My Garage	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? This is an interesting thread - thanks to the OP. This brings out yet another antiquated aspect of the laws in India. At some point in our history, it might have been a reasonable assumption, that everyone would drive a manual, so should need learn how to handle the Gear and Clutch combo. But today, there are many of us, who don't even want to touch a Manual Transmission car. It is not as if these people can't drive, or drive any lesser than others. A case for another Change.org petition perhaps!
	() Thanks

22nd March 2016, 19:47	#27
landcruiser123 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Chicago Posts: 3,002 Thanked: 6,919 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? Well, I don't think the MV act has a provision to issue license for exclusively driving a automatic 4 wheeler. It's a tricky situation. Here's what you could do: Going Through a driving school agent might help I don't want to advice any other possible method In the same breath, I should add that I know quite a lot of people who have for licence for geared 2 wheeler even though they only drove an automatic scooter for testing purposes.
	() Thanks

23rd March 2016, 14:09	#28
audioholic Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: BengaLuru Posts: 5,954 Thanked: 21,223 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? When I gave my driving test, I had applied for Motor-Cycle with Gear but I was never used to riding one. I just wanted a licence for gearless bike. But since at a later stage I would have to reappear for a test, the driving school guys told me to get one for a geared bike. I had to borrow a persons bike at the test venue and somehow managed to go for a round since I was used to clutch and gear in the car. I was not allowed to appear for the test in a gearless scooter.
	() Thanks

23rd March 2016, 14:14	#29
sagarpadaki Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 4,453 Thanked: 6,794 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? How does the inspector know that you are in an AT car? Atleast in the Rajajinagar RTO(KA-02) where i got my DL, the inspector does not accompany you round the track. He sits at a distance and observes how you traverse the circuit. Unless you disclose he cannot know. So if there is no one in the passenger seat, i think you can go ahead with an AT car and 'fool' the inspector .LOL Last edited by sagarpadaki : 23rd March 2016 at 14:16.
	() Thanks

16th May 2016, 16:15	#30
nirupesh Newbie Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 13 Thanked: 4 Times	Re: RTO Driving Test with an Automatic Transmission? UPDATE: My wife and I borrowed a friend's AT car for a driving test in KA51 (Bangalore) two weeks ago and got our license without any issues. The driving inspector didn't even sit with me or my wife while we drove, we were just asked to drive straight, make a U turn and come back. Simple enough! That being said, it appears that the letter of the law still states that it is imperative to test driving, gear change, clutch, and park ability to issue a new DL so in theory it should not be possible to get a DL in an AT car, until they introduce an LMV-AT category like they do in two wheelers.
	() Thanks