Recent trends show a significant increase in learner drivers opting for automatic vehicles for their driving exams, indicating a shift away from manual gearboxes.
Official data reveals a record number of driving tests conducted in automatic vehicles, totaling 324,000 tests last year alone.
This marked the highest number of automatic gearbox driving exams on record, representing a 33% increase from the previous year.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) statistics show that over one-third of the 865,000 driver qualification checks conducted were in automated vehicles.
Despite the surge in automatic tests, a higher percentage of candidates passed in manual cars (48%) compared to automatics (43%).
The Decline of Manual Gearboxes
The DVSA’s chief driving examiner, Mark Winn, emphasizes the agency’s commitment to adapting tests to technological advancements, driving trends, and safety considerations.
The shift towards electric vehicles is also being taken into account for future driver education and assessments.
Passing an automatic test restricts learners from driving manual vehicles, necessitating an additional test for manual transmission authorization.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders predicts a decline in new manual cars as the government moves towards phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles by 2035.
Challenges and Innovations
Electric cars typically do not require gearboxes as the motor directly connects to the wheels, simplifying driving.
Toyota stands out by offering manual or semi-automatic transmission options in their upcoming electric vehicle models, focusing on driving enjoyment.
The disruption caused by Covid lockdowns led to a backlog of driving tests, with current wait times averaging at 15.1 weeks.
DVSA chief executive, Loveday Ryder, acknowledges the progress made in reducing the backlog but highlights the ongoing efforts to streamline test scheduling.