Commenting on the increase in driving tests being taken in automatic cars, Shane Pither, Head of Electric at UK leasing firm Select Car Leasing, says he’s in no doubt that a surge in interest in EVs and hybrids is behind the trend.
He said, “Electric vehicles are, of course, exclusively automatic. And we’re seeing a significant increase in interest for EVs across the board.
“When it comes to our Top 15 most enquired-upon lease vehicles of 2025 so far, 40% of them are fully-electric. That’s up dramatically from 2024, when pure EVs accounted for around 20% of our top 15 most enquired-upon vehicles for the year as a whole.
“It’s worth pointing out that it’s not just EVs that are always automatic – almost all plug-in hybrids and full hybrids also come with an automatic gearbox.
“We’d encourage learner drivers to pass their test with a manual gearbox, purely so that it doesn’t prove a barrier at a later date. There are implications when it comes to having to drive a car with a manual gearbox in an emergency scenario, too.”
He added, “But when many of the market’s most popular cars have no need for a manual transmission, you can understand why learners are making the choices they are.
“The benefits of an auto box are obvious. If you regularly need to navigate stop-start city traffic, having to constantly depress a clutch while finding the right gear can be tiring.
“EVs that feature ‘one pedal’ driving are even more manageable, as they use regenerative braking to slow the car when a driver lifts their foot off the accelerator pedal.”
“Attitudes are also changing,” he went on, “The old school of thought among some enthusiasts was that you needed a manual gearbox to enjoy ‘proper’, sporty driving – to feel connected to the car during spirited rides.
“But, again, that’s no longer true, with iconic sports cars like the new Aston Martin Vantage eschewing a manual gearbox in favour of automatic transmission in recent years.”
