A V endorsement is a restriction on your driver's license that limits what you can legally drive
A V endorsement appears on your license as a notation that you are restricted to driving vehicles with an automatic transmission only. You cannot legally operate a manual transmission (stick shift) vehicle if your license carries this restriction. The endorsement is issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles when you pass your driving test in an automatic transmission car rather than a manual one.
This restriction exists because driving a manual transmission requires different skills — coordinating the clutch, gear shift, and accelerator simultaneously — than driving an automatic. If you were never tested on those skills, the state does not permit you to use them on public roads. The endorsement is a way of documenting what you were actually tested on.
The V endorsement is common in states that still offer manual transmission testing, though the number of people taking that test has declined sharply over the past two decades. Some states have phased out manual transmission testing altogether, which means fewer new licenses carry the restriction.
Key Takeaways
- A V endorsement means your license restricts you to automatic transmission vehicles only, and you cannot legally drive a manual transmission car.
- The endorsement appears on your license if you passed your driving test in an automatic rather than a manual vehicle.
- You can remove the V endorsement by passing a new driving test in a manual transmission vehicle in most states.
- Renting a car with a manual transmission or driving someone else's stick shift vehicle is illegal if your license has a V endorsement.
- Not all states issue V endorsements anymore, and some have replaced it with different notation systems.
How the V endorsement appears on your license
The V endorsement typically shows up in the restrictions or endorsements section of your license card, usually printed as a letter code or a line of text depending on your state's format. On some licenses it reads "Automatic transmission only" in plain language. On others it appears as a single letter — often V, but some states use different codes.
You will see it listed alongside any other restrictions you may have, such as corrective lenses required or height restrictions for commercial licenses. The endorsement does not affect your ability to renew your license or your insurance rates — it is purely a transmission restriction.
How you get a V endorsement in the first place
You receive a V endorsement when you take your driving test in an automatic transmission vehicle. Most people who get this endorsement did so because they learned to drive in an automatic, felt more comfortable testing in one, or lived in an area where manual transmissions are uncommon.
At the time you take your test, the examiner notes which type of transmission the test vehicle has. If it is automatic, the V endorsement is added to your license. If you had taken the test in a manual transmission vehicle instead, no such restriction would appear.
Some states allow you to choose which type of vehicle to test in. Others may require you to test in a manual if you want to avoid the restriction. Policies vary by state, so what happened when you got your license depends on your state's rules at that time.
Removing a V endorsement through retesting
Most states allow you to remove the V endorsement by taking a new driving test in a manual transmission vehicle. You do not need to retake the entire written exam — typically only the road test portion is required. The process is straightforward: you schedule a test appointment, show up in a manual transmission car, and pass the driving portion.
The cost of retesting varies by state but is usually between $20 and $50. You will need to bring your current license, proof of insurance for the manual vehicle you are testing in, and any other documents your state requires for a standard road test. Some states require you to bring your own manual transmission vehicle; others provide one.
Once you pass, the V endorsement is removed from your license, usually within one to two weeks. Your new license will be mailed to you or you can pick it up at your local DMV office depending on your state's process.
What you cannot do with a V endorsement
With a V endorsement on your license, you cannot legally operate any vehicle with a manual transmission. This includes rental cars, borrowed vehicles, company cars, or any other vehicle you do not own. Driving a manual transmission vehicle with a V endorsement is a traffic violation and can result in a citation.
If you are pulled over while driving a manual transmission vehicle, the officer will see the restriction on your license and can issue you a ticket. Insurance may not cover an accident if you were driving a vehicle type your license does not permit. Some rental car companies will refuse to rent you a manual transmission vehicle if they see the endorsement on your license.
The restriction applies everywhere — not just in your home state. If you travel to another state, the V endorsement on your license is recognized and enforced there as well.
Why some states are phasing out V endorsements
Manual transmission vehicles have become increasingly rare in the United States. In the 1980s, roughly one in five new cars sold had a manual transmission. Today that number is below 3 percent. As fewer people drive manuals, fewer people take manual transmission tests, and some states have concluded that maintaining the testing infrastructure is not worth the cost.
States that have phased out manual transmission testing no longer issue V endorsements to new drivers. Some states that still offer the test have made it optional rather than required, which means most new drivers end up with the restriction by default.
A handful of states have replaced the V endorsement with a different system or have stopped tracking transmission type altogether. If you move to a state with different rules, you may be able to get your license reissued without the restriction, or you may need to pass a test to remove it.
V endorsement versus other license restrictions
A V endorsement is one of many possible restrictions that can appear on a driver's license. Other common restrictions include corrective lenses required, no highway driving, no night driving, or restrictions on towing. Unlike some of these restrictions, a V endorsement is purely about the type of vehicle transmission, not about your age, vision, or driving ability.
Some restrictions are temporary — for example, a new driver might have a restriction on the number of passengers they can carry, which expires after a certain age. A V endorsement, by contrast, stays on your license indefinitely unless you take action to remove it. It does not expire on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive a manual transmission car if I have a V endorsement?
No. A V endorsement is a legal restriction that prohibits you from driving manual transmission vehicles. Doing so is a traffic violation. You must remove the endorsement by passing a road test in a manual transmission vehicle before you can legally drive one.
Will a V endorsement affect my insurance rates?
No. Insurance companies do not charge more or less based on a V endorsement. The restriction is a licensing matter, not a driving record issue, so it does not appear on your driving history or affect your premiums.
How long does it take to remove a V endorsement?
The road test itself takes 15 to 30 minutes. Once you pass, the endorsement removal is processed within one to two weeks in most states. Your new license will be mailed to you or available for pickup depending on your state's process.
What if I learned to drive in a manual transmission — do I still get a V endorsement?
No. If you take your driving test in a manual transmission vehicle and pass, no V endorsement appears on your license. The endorsement only appears if you test in an automatic transmission vehicle.
Do all states use the V endorsement?
Most states that still offer manual transmission testing use some form of automatic-only restriction, though not all call it a V endorsement. Some states have phased out the restriction entirely. Check your state's DMV website to see what notation system your state uses.