The automatic licence in 2026: the context has changed
In 2026, more than 35% of new cars sold in France are fully electric, and the vast majority of electric cars have automatic gearboxes. This major trend changes the picture: the restriction of the automatic licence (no driving manual vehicles) is increasingly less of an issue for young drivers who will likely buy an electric or hybrid vehicle.
Advantages of the automatic licence
Shorter training: minimum 13 hours versus 20 for manual. Lower cost: between €1,200 and €2,000 on average. Easier learning: without managing gears, the driver can focus on the road. Perfectly suited to electric vehicles. Less fatigue in urban driving.
Disadvantages to know about
Legal restriction: with an automatic licence, you can only drive vehicles with an automatic gearbox. If you borrow a friend's manual car or rent a manual vehicle abroad, this is prohibited. A minimum 7-hour supplementary course lifts this restriction. Also note: manual company cars are off-limits.
The supplementary manual course: the details
If you have an automatic licence and wish to drive a manual, you must complete a minimum 7-hour course at an approved school. Upon completion, your licence is 'upgraded' without a new exam. The cost is approximately €400 to €700 depending on the school.
Automatic or manual: how to choose in 2026?
Choose automatic if: you will mainly drive an electric or hybrid vehicle, you live in a city with heavy traffic, you have motor difficulties or want to simplify learning. Choose manual if: you will drive company vehicles, you want to travel and hire cars abroad, you need maximum flexibility.
The automatic licence and electric cars in 2026
This is the key argument of 2026: all 100% electric cars have automatic gearboxes. By choosing an automatic licence today, you are preparing for tomorrow's mobility. Renault, Peugeot, Volkswagen, Tesla - none of these brands offer manual electric models.
How to get the right guidance?
Our school advisors can help you choose between manual and automatic based on your profile. Get your free quote in 2 minutes on DevisPermis.fr.
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Frequently asked
Your questions on this topic
Why choose the automatic licence in 2026?
4 main reasons: 1) training reduced to 13 minimum hours instead of 20, saving 4 to 6 weeks, 2) cost reduced by 200 to 400 euros (1,100 to 1,400 euros instead of 1,400 to 1,800), 3) 8 to 12 points higher pass rate (66 vs 58 percent), 4) car fleet now 90 percent automatic on electric and hybrid in 2026.
How much does the automatic licence cost in 2026?
The automatic licence costs 1,100 to 1,400 euros on average in 2026, versus 1,400 to 1,800 euros for a manual licence. The 200 to 400 euro saving comes from 7 fewer driving hours (13 minimum instead of 20), billed at 50 to 60 euros each. In Paris, count 1,300 to 1,500 euros, versus 800 to 1,100 euros in the provinces on a spread format.
Does the automatic licence limit which vehicles you can drive?
Yes, the B78 (automatic) mention forbids driving manual vehicles. However, 35 percent of new cars sold in 2026 are automatic, and 90 percent on electric and hybrid. To lift the limit, take a 7-hour bridge training after 3 months of practice (cost 250 to 450 euros) without new exam. The B78 mention then disappears permanently.
What is the automatic licence pass rate?
The automatic licence pass rate reaches 65 to 68 percent on first attempt in 2026, versus 56 to 60 percent for manual according to Securite Routiere. The 8 to 12 point gap is explained by cognitive simplification (no clutch or biting point to manage), allowing focus on signs and observation. Particularly suited to stress-prone learners.
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