The 7-hour bridge training to lift the restrictive code 78 is based on a precise regulatory framework, modified by the decree of February 15, 2024. Since March 1, 2024, no waiting period is required between obtaining the automatic license and enrolling in this training. This change transforms the very logic of the bridge: it becomes an immediate supplement, not a deferred step.
Bridge training sequences: what the 7 hours actually cover
The training is divided into two distinct sequences, with educational objectives that driving school programs do not always clearly detail.
The first sequence takes place off-road, in a protected space. It covers handling the manual vehicle: finding the biting point, shifting gears, starting on a slope, low-speed maneuvers. The instructor evaluates the clutch-accelerator coordination, which remains the main sticking point for drivers used to automatic vehicles.
The second sequence places the driver in real traffic, in various situations (urban, road, possibly expressway depending on the driving school). The goal is not to validate an exam level, as no practical test is imposed at the end of the training. It is an administrative regularization process, not a retake of the license.
We recommend checking that the driving school splits the training into at least two distinct slots, as required by regulations. A single 7-hour session does not comply with the prescribed framework and compromises the assimilation of technical gestures.
For those wishing to convert their automatic license to a manual B license, the certificate issued at the end of the training is sufficient to drive a manual vehicle while waiting for the title update.
Removal of code 78 on the license: ANTS procedure and actual timelines
Once the training certificate is in hand, lifting the restrictive mention 78 involves a request on the ANTS website. The process is digital, but it requires providing the scanned certificate and an up-to-date identity document.
The processing time varies depending on the platform’s workload. During this waiting period, the training certificate serves as legal proof to drive a manual vehicle. It must be kept in the vehicle, along with the license still bearing code 78.
- Submit the request on the ANTS website in the “driver’s license request” section, category “other request”
- Attach the training completion certificate issued by the accredited driving school
- Keep the request receipt along with the existing license until the new title is received
- Check that the new license received no longer bears the mention “78” in the restrictions column
We observe that some drivers forget this administrative step and continue to drive with only the old license, without the certificate. In case of a check, the absence of supporting documents exposes them to a fine for driving a vehicle not compliant with the restrictions of the title.
Automatic license without a bridge: a conscious choice based on driving profile
The question deserves to be asked directly: is the bridge still relevant for all profiles? The vehicle fleet is evolving. The share of new vehicles sold with automatic transmission far exceeds that of manual ones in the French market, and the trend is intensifying with electrification (electric vehicles simply do not have a manual gearbox).
For an urban driver who never rents a vehicle abroad and is considering an electric or hybrid vehicle as their next purchase, lifting code 78 represents an expense without concrete utility. The automatic B license already allows driving the vast majority of vehicles available at dealerships.
Cases where the bridge remains justified
The training retains its value in specific situations. A driver who needs to use utility or professional vehicles, often still equipped with manual gearboxes, requires the lifting of the restriction. Similarly, renting vehicles abroad (especially in Southern Europe) often requires a manual gearbox, as automatic models are rarer or more expensive in local agencies.
A young driver anticipating versatile use over the next ten years also benefits from completing the bridge quickly, as long as driving reflexes are fresh. The longer one waits, the more effort is required to regain clutch-accelerator coordination.
Cost of the bridge and choice of accredited driving school
The cost of the training varies significantly depending on the driving schools and geographical areas. We recommend comparing at least three establishments and systematically checking two points before enrolling:
- The driving school must have the prefectural approval to provide bridge training (not all do)
- The vehicle used for training must be equipped with a mechanical manual gearbox, not a robotized gearbox presented as “manual”
- The certificate issued at the end of the session must include the establishment’s approval number, the training date, and the instructor’s signature
Some networks of driving schools offer the bridge as soon as the automatic license is obtained, which has been regulatory possible since March 2024. This flexibility allows integrating the bridge into a continuous training path, without interruption.
The automatic B license is not a discounted license. It is a complete driving title, accompanied by a restriction that can be lifted through short training. Depending on the driving profile and actual vehicle usage, keeping code 78 can be a rational choice rather than a gap to fill.