The Road & Transport Authority AKA RTA has introduced a service that allows driver’s with a licence for vehicles with automatic transmission to convert them to that for manual transmission, in the light vehicles category. The service will commence this October.
Jamal Al Sada Director of Drivers Licensing, at RTA’s Licensing Agency stated, “It is now possible for holders of light driving licences in the category of Automatic Transmission to apply for shifting their licences to Manual Transmission category, as of this October”
He added by saying, “Applicants would be tested without subjected to training lessons at the RTA. The test would not relate to driving skills, but would rather focus on the handling of the manual gear system. In case of failing the test, the applicant would be notified about his or her weaknesses and may select the appropriate way for improving those points before re-applying for a test” and that “Dealing with Manual Transmission needs certain skills such as the attention to the road while shifting gears, ability to shift gears without distraction, and coping with the smooth shifting between gears while driving. It is a different case scenario for holders of Manual Transmission driving licenses. They can easily cope with the Automatic Transmission without requiring tests, as the automatic transmission needs no action while driving.
“RTA is making every effort to meet the needs of drivers through streamlined processes as they are closely related to the safety & security of roads and users. Such efforts translate into realising RTA’s vision of Safe & Smooth Transport for All,” added Al Sada.
But as per the current trend, the applicants for manual licence are on the decline and we suspect that not many will have them converted, but for those who’d like to, this seems like a great initiative by the RTA.
