Driving Licence Restriction Codes

Car, lorry and bus adaptations

Restriction code 78

Restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission – a vehicle with no clutch pedal or lever operated manually” (COMMISSION DIRECTIVE 2008/65/EC of 27 June 2008).

Restriction code 10

Modified transmission. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations:

• automatic selection of gear ratio
• adapted transmission control device (need an adapted gear selector; for example a button selector for moving up and down the gear range).

Restriction code 15

Use this code if you need to use an adapted clutch for example a hand lever on the gearstick.

If you are restricted to code 10 or 15, this would not prevent you from driving a car with standard automatic transmission. However, if you are restricted to code 78, you would be unable to drive a vehicle with an adaptation that was covered only by code 15. For example a hand lever on the gear stick.

If you pass your test in an automatic transmission vehicle and you have severe restriction to upper limb movement/strength you may need “automatic selection of gear ratio” and an “adapted transmission control device (need an adapted gear selector:for example a button selector for moving up and down the gear range)”

In this case you would need Code 78 (administrative) and code 10 (fitness to drive).

Code 15 – adapted clutch (for example a hand lever on the gear stick) would be considered to be a “lever operated manually” so would not be an automatic transmission vehicle.

So if you are restricted to code 78 you would not be permitted to drive with this adaptation as it would be considered to be manual transmission.

Restriction code 20

Modified braking systems. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations:

• adapted, sliding or tilted brake pedal
• hand or knee operated brake
• adapted parking brake
• brake system operation supported by external force.

Restriction code 25

Modified accelerator systems. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• adapted or tilted accelerator pedal
• hand or knee operated accelerator
• accelerator pedal on the left
• accelerator operation supported by external force.

Restriction code 31

Pedal adaptations and pedal safeguards. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• extra set of parallel pedals (extension pedals)
• pedals at (or almost at) the same level
• any measure to prevent obstruction or actuation of accelerator and brake pedals when pedals not operated by foot (pedal guards).

Restriction code 32

Combined service brake and accelerator systems. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• combined accelerator and service brake system operated by one hand
• combined accelerator and service brake system operated by external force (for example an electric gas & brake system – EGB).

Restriction code 33

Combined service brake, accelerator and steering system. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• combined accelerator, service brake and steering system operated by external force with one hand (for example a four way joystick)
• combined accelerator, service brake and steering system operated by external force with two hands (for example a tiller steering system with integral accelerator and braking system).

Restriction code 35

Modified control layouts (lights switches, windscreen wiper, washer, horn, indicators). Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle.

• control devices operable without releasing the steering device
• control devices operable without releasing the steering device with the left hand
• control devices operable without releasing the steering device with the right hand
• control devices operable without releasing the steering device and the accelerator and braking mechanisms.

Restriction code 40

Modified steering. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle

• adapted steering wheel, for example reduced in diameter or larger or thicker steering wheel section.
• adapted position of the steering wheel
• foot operating steering
• one hand or arm operated alternative adapted steering system (for example steering ball or other type of steering device)
• Two hand or arm operated alternative adapted steering system

Restriction code 42

Modified rear view devices. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• adapted device for rear view
• additional inside device permitting side view
• blind spot viewing device

Restriction code 43

Modified driver seat. Use this code if you need to use any of the following adaptations to your vehicle:

• driver seat height for normal view and in normal distance from the steering wheel and the pedals
• driver seat adapted to body shape or seat with lateral support for good stability
• driver seat with arm rest
• Seat belt with adaptation or with support for good sitting stability.