One in four UK driving tests taken in automatic cars

Drivers attitudes to EVs have rapidly changed in just over a decade.

The number of driving tests taken in automatics was 87,844 in 2012/13, or 6.12% of all tests, according to the DVSA figures.

That figure jumped to 479,556 in 2024/25, the last period with complete data, or 26%.

The AA is predicting that 29% of all tests will be taken in automatics in 2025/26.

The figures from the DVSA also showed that more men are opting to take their tests in automatics.

In 2012/13, 23.2% of learners taking tests in automatics were men. Last year, that figure was 39.1%.

The pass rate for automatics last year was slightly lower than for manuals. However, the gap has narrowed since 2012.