Automatic driving lessons
Automatic lessons remove clutch control and manual gear changes, but the practical test still checks the same observation, planning, speed and manoeuvre skills. If you pass in an automatic car, licence code 78 means you can only drive automatic vehicles until you pass a manual practical test.
Your practice so far
Transmission
Mostly independent
With 20 hours across lessons and private practice, you may be
Growing independence
The instructor should need fewer prompts as routes and traffic become less predictable.
Drive unfamiliar routes
Add independent sat-nav sections
Practise manoeuvres in different locations
Automatic removes clutch and manual gear work. It does not lower the observation, planning or safety standard.
Hours alone cannot prove readiness. Consistency on unfamiliar roads is a stronger signal.
This is a broad journey benchmark, not a prediction of how many lessons you personally need.
Pass in an automatic and your licence is restricted to automatic vehicles.
The restriction is shown as code 78. To drive a manual car later, you need to pass a practical test in a manual car.
What gets simpler
No clutch control, manual gear selection or stalling. This can reduce early cognitive load.
What stays the same
The practical test route, manoeuvres, observation, speed choice, planning and pass standard.