Automatic vs Manual Cars: Which is Best to Learn in 2026?

For decades, the classic rite of passage in Britain was learning to drive a manual car. Mastering the clutch was almost a national sport, with hill starts ranking just below cricket in terms of stress and tradition. But times are changing. Automatic cars are no longer just for the lazy, the nervous, or the Americans—they’re rapidly becoming the new normal. Let’s have a light-hearted look at why this shift is happening, what the UK test requirements say, and where the future is heading. And of course, how Britannia Driving School can steer you in the right direction (pun intended).

The Case for Manual Cars
Manual cars have long been seen as the ‘proper’ way to learn. They give you more control, can be cheaper to buy, and until recently, were everywhere. Plus, once you’ve got that manual licence, you can drive both manuals and automatics. It’s like getting the full buffet instead of the salad bar. The downside? Stalling at roundabouts, grinding gears, and clutch control that feels more like a medieval torture device than a learning experience. Learners often spend half their early lessons just figuring out how not to bunny-hop down the road.

Why Learners Are Shifting to Automatics
Enter the automatic car, the smooth, gear-free saviour of nervous learners everywhere. The rise of electric vehicles (which are all automatic by design) and the increasing popularity of hybrid cars has made automatics far more mainstream. No clutch, no stalling, and no sweating bullets when traffic on Wimbledon Hill decides to grind to a halt just as you’re pulling away. For many learners, automatics offer less stress, faster progress, and fewer grey hairs for their instructors. In fact, DVSA stats show that demand for automatic tests has doubled in recent years, and for good reason: learners want simplicity.

The UK Test Requirements
Here’s the important bit: if you pass your test in a manual car, you’re allowed to drive both manual and automatic cars. If you pass in an automatic, however, you’re limited to automatics only. So, while automatics are easier to learn in, they do restrict you (for now). That said, with automatics and EVs becoming more common, that restriction is looking less dramatic every year. Soon, “I can’t drive a manual” might be about as relevant as saying “I can’t churn butter by hand.”

The Future Outlook
With the UK planning to ban new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, and most carmakers shifting their line-ups to electric and hybrid models, it’s clear the future is automatic. In 10 years, finding a manual car might be trickier than finding a phone box that still works. The tide is turning, and learners today are already ahead of the curve if they choose the automatic route.

How Britannia Driving School Can Help
Whether you want to conquer clutch control like a traditionalist or glide smoothly into the automatic era, Britannia Driving School has you covered. Our instructors across London—from Wimbledon to Battersea-are patient, professional, and more than capable of helping you pass in whichever gearbox you choose. Want to master the manual? We’ll guide you through every stall and start. Prefer to keep things stress-free in an automatic? We’ll make sure you’re test-ready faster than you can say “gearbox.”

At Britannia, we believe learning to drive should be about confidence, not chaos. So whichever path you choose-manual, automatic, or eventually electric-we’ll get you there with humour, patience, and a licence you can actually use without fear of stalling.