The latest data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reveals that one in four learners are choosing to take their driving test in automatic cars as they turn their backs on manual gearboxes.

This means out of the 1.8 million driving tests taken in England, Scotland and Wales during 2024/2025, 470,000 were done in an automatic car – or 26% of all tests.

Now compare that to 2012/2013 where 87,844 tests were taken in an auto (that’s just 6%).

The AA Driving School predicts that this rate will climb to 29% in 2025/2026. For 2026/2027, that figure is expected to increase to 32% with one in three driving tests carried out in an automatic.

Why go auto

The most obvious reason is that driving an auto is far more simple than a manual. There’s less to do – for instance, there’s no need to find the clutch’s biting point for a hill start or risk stalling the car when moving off. Instead, the auto does it all for you.

And then there’s the approaching ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars arriving in 2030. Their ‘heir’ will be the electric vehicle that doesn’t feature a gearbox – but a single-speed transmission – and only requires you to use the accelerator and brake pedals (even the latter can be in part automated to help using a process called regen braking).

“With more people becoming confident with the idea of their driving future being electric, the idea of needing to drive a manual vehicle will feel irrelevant to many. More learners will want to learn in an electric vehicle as that’s all they will plan to drive.”

• Emma Bush, Managing Director, AA Driving School

The catch

The impending ban deadline has left more and more learners wondering why they should bother with a manual – plus EVs are more environmentally friendly. Do bear in mind that when you qualify in a manual, you get a full driving licence, allowing you to drive both manual and autos. However, if you pass with an auto, you get a Category B Auto licence (i.e., you can’t legally drive a manual).

That might not sound like a big deal but remember, once you have qualified, it restricts what car you can buy (typically used due to their expense) as well as other issues (check out our blog post detailing the pros and cons of going auto or EV).

“The used EV market is growing but remains relatively expensive. Learners who restrict themselves to an automatic licence could face fewer options when buying their first car, at least in the short term.”

• Steve Gooding, Director, RAC Foundation

Know Your Code

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