Despite Lower Pass Rates Than Manual, Automatic Driving Tests have Doubled in Five Year

 

Despite Lower Pass Rates Than Manual, Automatic Driving Tests have Doubled in Five Years

Automatic Gear box

 

New research carried by  Uswitch car insurance experts has revealed that the number of driving tests taken in automatic cars has more than doubled over the past five years, highlighting a significant shift in how learners are approaching driver training.

According to the findings, 41% of automatic learners chose this route because they believed it would be easier than learning in a manual vehicle, while 37% felt they would learn quicker. A further 31% already had access to an automatic car at home.

However, the research suggests that perceptions around ease and speed may not translate into improved test outcomes. Uswitch noted that automatic driving test pass rates in 2025 were 10% lower than manual tests.

The study also explored some of the practical concerns experienced by automatic-only licence holders. The most commonly reported disadvantages included:

• Limited choice when buying used cars, 36%
• Missing out on manual driving skills, 28%
• Higher vehicle purchase costs, 28%
• Restrictions when borrowing friends’ or family members’ vehicles, 25%
• Higher maintenance costs, 24%

 

For instructors and trainers, the findings also point towards ongoing market changes within the training sector itself. Uswitch found that automatic driving lessons cost an average of £5.05 more per lesson than manual tuition, potentially increasing the overall learning cost by around £224.94 for a typical learner.

The report highlighted that only 25% of instructors at major driving schools AA and BSM were teaching in automatic vehicles as of January last year, although the number of automatic instructors has increased by 76% since 2022.

The research also examined attitudes towards automatic-only licences. More than half of respondents, 56%, said they felt negatively judged by other motorists because they only drive automatics. Meanwhile, 19% said they regretted learning in an automatic vehicle, although 35% would consider learning manual driving skills in future.https://www.afzal-driving-lessons.co.uk/driving-lessons-driving-schools/driving-school-near-me

Despite this, many automatic drivers believe their experience leaves them well positioned for the future transition towards electric vehicles. With almost all EVs using automatic transmissions, 74% of respondents felt learning in an automatic had prepared them well for driving electric vehicles.

Uswitch insurance expert Leoni Moninska said: “It’s important to research the pros and cons to decide what’s best for your situation, but there are a few key factors to think about.”

DVSA suspends more than 1,100 licence numbers in crackdown on driving test booking misuse

 

Since 12 May 2026, only learner drivers have been permitted to book, change, swap or cancel car driving tests. The updated rules also prohibit the use of bots or automated systems to search for test appointments.

In an update sent to stakeholders, DVSA confirmed it has suspended online booking access linked to 1,178 driving licence numbers where its monitoring systems detected what it described as “unusual activity”. Learners affected can still manage bookings by telephone.

The agency has also reported a number of third-party driving test apps to Apple and Google, claiming they breach both DVSA terms and conditions and platform developer policies. DVSA said it is working with both companies in an attempt to have non-compliant apps removed.

Alongside this, DVSA confirmed it has reported social media accounts and groups advertising services that it believes break the law or breach its terms and conditions. According to the agency, some accounts have already been removed by platforms.

DVSA also stated that seven business accounts had been suspended after allegedly attempting to use bots to secure driving tests, although the agency said these attempts were unsuccessful.

However, questions remain across the training industry about how effective the measures will prove in reducing demand pressures and limiting unofficial secondary markets for test appointments.

DVSA continues to advise learner drivers to:

• Book, change or cancel tests only through GOV.UK
• Only pay official DVSA test fees
• Avoid third-party apps, websites or social media services offering earlier test slots

The agency said the only legitimate ways to secure an earlier test remain through the official GOV.UK booking service or by arranging a direct test swap with another learner through DVSA system.

National Action Required Against Illegal E-Bikes

 

National Action Required Against Illegal E-Bikes, says MCIA

 

Illegal e-bikes are becoming a national road safety and enforcement challenge that policing alone cannot solve, the Motorcycle Industry Association has warned.

The MCIA is calling for coordinated action from Government, police, regulators and delivery platforms ahead of the Second Reading of the Electrically Assisted Pedal Cycles Bill.

The association says illegally modified e-bikes, and non-compliant products sold as “e-bikes”, are increasingly being used on public roads despite being capable of moped or motorcycle-level performance. These vehicles can operate without licensing, registration, insurance or safety oversight, creating what the MCIA describes as a parallel, unregulated mobility market.

For driver and rider trainers, the issue is significant. Illegal e-bikes are now a growing part of the road environment, particularly in urban areas, and can present risks to learner drivers, pedestrians, riders and other road users. Their speed, weight and acceleration may not match what other road users expect from a pedal cycle, making hazard perception and early observation increasingly important.

The MCIA says the legal powered two-wheeler sector is also being affected. Registrations of new L1 mopeds have fallen by more than 40% since 2022, a decline the association says coincides with the rapid rise of illegal e-bikes being used as de facto mopeds outside the proper regulatory framework.

Over recent months, MCIA says it has engaged with every Chief Constable, Police and Crime Commissioners and the Policing Minister. It reports that every policing representative it has spoken to recognises illegal e-bikes as a growing and pressing issue, with many forces already carrying out seizures and targeted operations.

However, enforcement varies across the country, reflecting local priorities, resources and operational frameworks. MCIA says police forces have also raised concerns about the lack of clear national guidance on identifying, seizing and disposing of illegal vehicles, which contributes to inconsistent enforcement.

Police feedback suggests enforcement often focuses on anti-social behaviour because it is highly visible, while a significant proportion of illegal e-bike use is linked to gig-economy delivery work. MCIA says riders are often operating under the branding of major platforms such as Deliveroo, Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Targeted operations have also uncovered wider criminality, including illegal working, exploitation, weapons offences and drug offences, underlining the complexity of the issue.

MCIA is calling for national leadership, particularly from the Home Office, to create a cross-Government framework that supports policing, addresses the wider drivers of illegal e-bike use and strengthens expectations on delivery platforms to prevent the use of non-compliant vehicles.

Tony Campbell, Chief Executive of MCIA, said law-abiding manufacturers, retailers and users of mopeds and motorcycles are “fed up” with seeing widespread disregard for the law.

He said: “This is not simply a market trend, it is the emergence of an unregulated substitute for mopeds and motorcycles operating on public roads posing significant risk to pedestrians, other road users with these illegal vehicles being used to enable more serious crime.

“Police forces are key partners in the solution, but they cannot solve this alone. What is needed now is national clarity, consistent policy direction and coordinated action across Government.”

The MCIA says the EAPC Bill gives Parliament a timely opportunity to address the gap between legal electrically assisted pedal cycles and high-powered illegal e-bikes before an unregulated market becomes further embedded on UK roads.