Home | Blog | Should I learn to drive an automatic or manual?

By Paul Baxter, 22nd April 2025

Category: Learner driver

With the UK government’s target of 80% of new car sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2030, we can predict that we’ll start to see more electric vehicles (EVs) on the road in the coming years. As EVs are automatic, it begs the question for young people, should I learn to drive in an automatic or a manual car?

What’s the difference between automatic and manual?

Let’s start with the basics.

Manual cars require you to change gears yourself using a clutch and gear stick.

Automatic cars do the gear changes for you, so there’s no clutch.

Simple enough, but this one choice affects how you learn and what you can drive after passing.

What licence will I get?

If you pass your test in a manual car, you’re licensed to drive both manual and automatic vehicles.

But if you pass in an automatic, you’re only qualified to drive automatics — unless you retake your test in a manual later.

Is one easier to learn than the other?

Talking to most drivers, they feel driving automatic is easier. Without gears and a clutch to worry about, it’s almost impossible to stall.

This could mean that learning in an automatic could be quicker, as you don’t need to spend as much time learning skills like hill starts, gear changes, and clutch control. The downside to learning faster is that you won’t gain as much vital driving experience as well as building your safety awareness.

What about pass rates?

It’s a bit of a myth that automatics always mean a higher pass rate. In fact, the average pass rate for automatic driving tests in 2022-2023 was 42.7% whereas the average pass rate for manual driving test in 2022-2023 was 48.4%

This could be due to other factors, such as the learner driver being nervous or having less practice, rather than it’s harder to pass in an automatic.

So… which one should you choose?

The answer is, well it depends…

It depends on your current needs and future plans.

If you have a limited budget to buy a car, then manual might be a better choice as you’ve choice, as you can drive both.

If you’re planning to buy an EV, then automatic might be the right choice for you.

You may also like to think about what happens when you need to hire a car on holiday for example. Limiting yourself to automatic cars may push up the price and reduce availability.

There’s no right or wrong answer, no matter what you choose, getting your licence is a huge achievement whether you choose to learner in an automatic car or not.

About the author

Paul Baxter - CEO, The Green Insurer

Paul Baxter is the Chief Executive Officer of The Green Insurer. With over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry, Paul has held senior leadership positions at Marmalade Insurance, Chaucer Insurance Service, Tesco Insurance, and Direct Line, shaping the future of motor insurance in the UK.

With a strong track record in insurance, his expertise spans digital transformation, insurance innovation, and customer-centric solutions. Passionate about shaping a future that is not only safer for drivers but also better for the planet and all people. Paul is committed to giving customers a genuine option to buy green insurance easily.

Connect with Paul on LinkedIn.