The AA is calling for the UK government to consider implementing conversion courses for drivers with automatic-only licenses, enabling them to legally drive manual transmission vehicles. This proposal arises as the availability of new manual cars rapidly declines, with experts predicting their disappearance from dealerships entirely by 2030.
New data shows a significant shift towards automatic-only driving licenses, with nearly 30% of practical driving tests taken in automatic cars last year, a substantial increase from just over 8% a decade ago. However, a study by AA Cars found that over half of young drivers aged 18 to 34 can only afford used manual cars, as electric vehicles and newer automatic models remain out of reach financially. This creates a disconnect where a growing number of drivers are restricted to automatics while the majority of affordable used cars are manuals.
AA President Edmund King suggested that a conversion course, similar to one in Germany, could involve approximately seven and a half hours of tuition and a final assessment by an instructor. This would allow drivers who have already demonstrated basic road safety skills to gain the ability to operate a manual gearbox without needing to retake a full driving test. King stated that such a system would maintain safety standards while aligning the licensing system with the evolving automotive market, which is increasingly dominated by automatic, hybrid, and electric vehicles. He also noted that it would help alleviate pressure on the existing driving test backlog.
James Hosking, managing director of AA Cars, emphasized that offering this conversion route would provide new drivers with greater choice and flexibility in the used car market, aiding their commute to work and potentially benefiting the wider economy.
Despite the AA's proposals, the Department for Transport has indicated that there are currently no plans to change the system, maintaining that individuals wishing to drive manual vehicles must pass a manual driving test.
Meanwhile, market analysis indicates a sharp decline in the availability of new manual cars. A review by CarGurus found that only 67 out of 292 new models from the UK's top 30 manufacturers are now offered with a manual gearbox, down from 197 in 2016. At the current rate, coupled with the impending ban on new petrol and diesel car sales, manual gearboxes could cease to be offered in new vehicles before the end of the decade. Brands like Dacia, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Skoda, and Volkswagen continue to offer a range of manual options.