WILLEMSTAD - The Department of Driver’s Licenses of Publieke Zaken has confirmed that, as previously announced, candidates will be able to take the practical driving test in vehicles with automatic transmission beginning in January 2026.
Those wishing to take their exam in an automatic car may officially register starting December 1, 2025 at the Driver’s License Office, located at Sta. Rosaweg 36, allowing them to reserve an exam date early next year.
Key Details
The automatic transmission driving test applies to license categories A through D and follows the same traffic safety and competency requirements as the manual transmission exam.
Candidates who pass the practical test in an automatic vehicle will receive a restricted driver’s license, which permits them to operate only vehicles with automatic transmission. Anyone holding a restricted license who drives a manual car is liable to prosecution.
Drivers who later wish to operate manual-transmission vehicles must retake the practical exam in the corresponding category.
Candidates who have already started the process of applying for a manual-transmission driving test but wish to switch to an automatic vehicle may do so without additional cost by informing the office at the time of scheduling the exam.
For more information, interested individuals may contact the Driver’s License Department at 736-2929 or visit the official Government of Curaçao website.