semi automatic

[spideyman]

my wife passed her driving test in an automatic car.
is she allowed to drive a car with a semi automatic gearbox

[pink-kittens]

No

[Hymie]

I seem to remember reading in Honest John�s motoring column in the Telegraph, that as long as the car does not have a clutch (pedal), it can be driven by someone with an automatic licence.

[Hymie]

I knew my mind was not playing tricks, here is the web link to the column containing the article and the relevant text.

However, in court - the words Hymie & Honest John said it was OK, don�t cut much ice.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/motoring/main.jhtml ?xml=/motoring/2008/06/28/mrjon128.xml

�Z cars
I recently bought a manual BMW Z4 coup�. While I prefer a conventional manual, there is some sense in me having an automatic because that's all my wife is licensed to drive. If I'd bought the automatic version of the Z4, which I understand has a semi-automatic function and steering wheel mounted gearchange paddles, would my wife be legally permitted to drive it?
P.T., via email

Yes. She can drive anything without a clutch pedal, even if it's an automated manual.�

[kempie]

From Chapter 6.9 of the Driving Standards Agency (DSA) DT1 internal operational guidance document...

SEMI-AUTOMATIC SYSTEMS

With these the driver has to select the gear required by movement of the gear lever as with a manually controlled gearbox, but there is no clutch pedal. For driving test and licensing purposes these vehicles are regarded as automatics.

http://www.dsa.gov.uk/Documents/practical_test /dt1/Oct07docs/Chap%206%20Oct%2007%20DT1.pdf

[ianglyn]

yes she is able to drive it.
only 2 pedles which states automatic.semi is ok