The code 79 written on the back of a heavy vehicle license regularly raises questions among professional drivers. Behind this administrative mention lie several distinct situations, and the procedure to get rid of it directly depends on what exactly is stated on your driving license. Not all 79 mentions are the same, and some do not even constitute a real restriction.
Sub-codes of code 79 on the heavy vehicle license: what your title really indicates
The main trap surrounding code 79 lies in its generic nature. On a category C or CE license, this mention can refer to very different realities depending on the sub-code that accompanies it in parentheses.
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A code 79 alone, without any specification, most often serves to preserve acquired rights related to previous equivalences between license categories. In this case, it does not limit the driving of a heavy vehicle or a combination with a semi-trailer at all. A driver who sees “79” on their CE license without any additional mention has, in practice, no active restrictions.
On the other hand, a sub-code such as 79.02 or a mention in parentheses specifying a tonnage (for example, less than 12.5 tons) changes the situation. This specification indicates either a limitation of the authorized GVW or a restriction related to the type of transmission of the vehicle used during the practical exam. Therefore, before taking any steps, it is essential to read the exact line written on the license and identify the associated sub-code.
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For those who wish to remove the code 79 from their heavy vehicle license, the first step is to determine whether the mention is simply an administrative trace or an effective restriction that requires action on your part.
Practical test on manual transmission: the classic way to lift the restriction
When code 79 results from taking the exam in a vehicle with automatic transmission, the removal must necessarily go through a practical test on manual transmission. This rule applies to categories C, CE, D, and DE.
The principle is straightforward: you must demonstrate your ability to drive a heavy vehicle equipped with a manual gearbox in front of an authorized examiner. Prior training is not legally required, but in practice, almost all candidates go through a transport training center to prepare.
What the test actually evaluates
The examiner checks the mastery of gear shifting, the management of engine torque under load, and low-speed maneuvers with manual clutch. This is not a complete exam for the C or CE license: only the component related to transmission is re-evaluated.
- The vehicle used must correspond to the relevant category (a category C truck for a C license, an articulated combination for a CE)
- The test takes place in real traffic, not just on a closed course
- In case of failure, it is possible to retake the test without a minimum waiting period, subject to availability of exam slots
Field feedback varies on the actual difficulty of this test. For a driver who drives a heavy vehicle with automatic transmission daily, getting back into a manual gearbox requires a few hours of adjustment. For someone who hasn’t driven a truck for several years, refresher training is strongly recommended.
Administrative request on France Titres: the online process after the test
Once the test is passed, updating the license is no longer done at a prefecture counter. The process is entirely through the France Titres portal (formerly ANTS), in the section dedicated to driving license requests.
You need to create or use your personal space, then submit a request for title modification. The form requires proof of passing the practical test, a compliant identity photo, and a valid identification document. The new license, without the restrictive mention, is then sent by mail.
Error on the title or unjustified mention
Some drivers discover a code 79 on their license even though they took the exam in a manual vehicle. This case, less common but documented, falls under a administrative error during the production of the title. France Titres provides a procedure for reporting errors accessible from the personal space, with online tracking of the file.
The processing of these corrections generally takes several weeks. In case of a check during this period, keep with you the certificate of success from the original exam and the receipt of your correction request.
Medical restriction and code 79: a special case for the C and CE licenses
The articles discussing the removal of code 79 focus almost exclusively on the issue of automatic transmission. They overlook another scenario: the restriction of medical origin.
When a medical opinion conditions the issuance or renewal of a heavy vehicle license, a restrictive code may be applied. Lifting this mention does not follow the same logic as the manual transmission pathway. It requires a new assessment by the departmental medical commission or an authorized doctor, who must confirm that the condition that motivated the restriction is no longer relevant.
- Medical restrictions are re-evaluated at each renewal of the C or CE license (validity of five years for drivers under 60 years old)
- A favorable medical certificate is not always sufficient: the commission may request additional examinations
- The removal of the medical mention also goes through France Titres, but with specific supporting documents (medical opinion, examination results)
The available data do not allow quantifying the share of code 79 related to a medical reason compared to transmission restrictions. Both situations coexist, and the confusion between the two explains part of the administrative blockages encountered by drivers.
The starting point remains the same in all cases: check the exact line written on the license, identify the sub-code, and adapt the process accordingly. A code 79 related to automatic transmission is resolved through a practical test. A code 79 of medical origin is resolved through an updated medical opinion. Confusing the two means wasting time in a procedure that does not correspond to your situation.