Driving an automatic car is becoming more and more popular, with over 1 million drivers now holding automatic-only licences. Three in five people assume it’s easier to pass their Driving Test without having to worry about changing gears. However, recent stats show otherwise.

A new report has shown that pass rate’s in automatic vehicles are much lower than those of manual, with 39% vs 47%.

Women have been found to be three times more likely to learn to drive in automatic vehicles than men and, according to a study from Dayinsure, three in five learners think it is easier to learn to drive without the need of changing gears. This appears to be the main reason for the shift in preference.

If you are looking to pass an automatic-only test, you might need to be organised. Dayinsure’s research has shown that on average, only 8% of driving instructors teach in automatic cars across the entire UK, with larger cities like London, Nottingham and Birmingham boasting up to 20% of their instructors as automatic.

If you are lucky enough to secure an automatic instructor, your next priority is actually passing.

Emma Bagnall commented “With the rise of automatic vehicles in the UK reaching a new high, it’s no wonder that more students are switching to learning to drive in an automatic vehicle.

It’s becoming increasingly common to hear from students who don’t see the point in learning in a manual when they’ll soon be forced down the EV route in a few years.”

The mistakes that drivers make when failing their tests in an automatic are incredibly similar to those that fail in manual cars so we advise you not to rush booking your test.

We find that whilst not having to change gears is one less thing to think about, concentration levels in learner drivers do tend to slip when driving an automatic car. We can’t stress enough that you still need to stop at junctions and take your time in decision making.

Observations, especially at junctions, are where students typically slip up. Using mirrors correctly and steering control are also up there among the top reasons why learner fail their tests.

Automatic learners will most likely develop basic skills sooner, as they aren’t having to spend time learning clutch control and using gears, but this can’t be mistaken for being ready for your test.

If you do have any concerns about when your test is, speak to your instructor!

Are you looking to get some extra lesson time in? Get a quote for your temporary car insurance with Dayinsure here.