Number of learners taking automatic-only driving tests grows by 269% in a decade – here’s why…

The number of learners booking automatic-only driving test has increased by 269 per cent in the past decade as new motorists prepare for the electric vehicle (EV) switch, says a new report.

Some 324,064 automatic-only driving tests were conducted in 2022-23 compared to 87,844 in 2012-13 – an almost fourfold rise – latest figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency shows. 

While manual transmissions remain the most popular with those taking their practical driving test today, the new analysis shows that one in five tests are now for an automatic-only licence. 

In comparison, just one in 20 driving tests were automatic-only a decade ago.

The analysis of driving test booking figures has been conducted by TrackDays.co.uk, which said that the shift in demand for automatic-only licences represents a ‘switch in mentality from motorists looking to get on the road’.

Dan Jones, operations manager, says: ‘As EVs have automatic transmissions, many learners will be left wondering if there is any value in learning to drive a manual vehicle, when the cars they’re most likely to be driving in the future will likely feature an automatic gearbox.’

Furthermore, the data set also revealed a demographic shift between genders wanting to take automatic-only tests, with just over one third of tests (36 per cent) booked by males in 2022-23. 

However, only within the last three years has this increased, with it stubbornly staying at around a quarter of the bookings for seven years.

Dan says a ‘change in perception’ may have influenced booking trends.

‘We live in a much more fast-paced society than even five years ago,’ he explained. 

‘The hassle-free mechanics of driving an automatic car seem to be much more appealing to those wishing to get out on the road quickly.’

But while new drivers might assume an automatic driving test is easier to pass than one undertaken in a car with a manual gearbox, the figures do not support this.

The DVSA’s figures show that the average pass rate for automatic driving tests in 2022-23 was 42.7 per cent. 

Compare this to the average pass rate for the UK (both auto and manual combined), which was at 48.4 per cent and it’s clear that learners have a higher success rate sitting manual tests.

Last year, insurer Direct Line predicted that the popularity of automatic cars means the last person to take their driving test in a manual car could be born in just four years’ time in 2027.

While TrackDays identified the switch to EVs driving the demand for auto-only tests, recent studies show just a third of new cars on sale now are offered with manual transmissions

Is the popularity of auto tests down to the EV switch?

While TrackDays points at the EV revolution and the impeding ban on sales of all but electric cars from 2035 driving the demand for auto licences, recent studies have found that there are already far fewer new vehicles on sale today with a manual transmission.

A study conducted by CarWow in October 2022 found that less than a third of the new cars in showrooms are available with manual gearboxes.

Of the 298 new models available to order at the time, 200 (67.1 per cent) were sold exclusively with automatic gearboxes.

That left just 98 cars (32.9 per cent) for drivers who want to change gear themselves.

A number of car makers offer only automatic gearboxes across their ranges, with no models from Mercedes, Genesis, Ferrari, Jaguar, Lexus, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, Subaru and Volvo being available with manual transmissions. 

Just two car makers – Abarth and Seat – were found to offer manual gearboxes with all the cars they sell, though the former has recently added the Abarth 500e to its range of vehicles that’s only sold with an automatic transmission.

Official record held by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that less than a quarter (24 per cent) of all new car registrations in 2011 were automatics – a figure that rose to 62.4 per cent by 2021.