(a) Any applicant for a commercial driver’s license who successfully completes the driving-skill test in a vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, shall, if otherwise qualified, receive a commercial driver’s license that restricts the licenseholder from operating a commercial motor vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.
(b) To remove the restriction described in subdivision (a) from a commercial driver’s license, the driver is required to make a new application for a commercial driver’s license, and, in addition to any other requirements specified in this code, successfully complete the driving-skill test in a vehicle or combination of vehicles equipped with a manual transmission.