Automatic Driving Instructors Near You

Automatic cars are a growing choice for new drivers. Nearly 3 in 10 car driving tests in Great Britain in 2025/26 were taken in an automatic, according to DVSA. With no clutch pedal or manual gear changes, you can focus on reading the road and building confidence. Use the search above to find automatic driving instructors in your area.

Car tests taken in an automatic

29.5%GB, 2025/26

Automatic test growth

2.4x2021/22 to 2025/26

Why learn to drive in an automatic?

Automatic car tests in Great Britain have risen every year since 2020/21. Here are the main reasons learners choose automatic lessons.

Simpler to learn

No clutch control or gear changes to master. You use just two pedals - accelerator and brake - so lessons focus on road skills from day one.

Pass rates are rising

DVSA figures show the automatic car test pass rate rose from 41.7% in 2021/22 to 44.6% in 2025/26. The rate for all car tests was 50.0% in 2025/26, so good preparation still matters.

Future-proof licence

DVSA classes electric cars as automatic. New petrol and diesel cars are being phased out from 2030 and all new cars must be zero emission from 2035, so an automatic licence covers a growing share of new cars.

Less stalling worry

With no clutch pedal, there is no stalling from a mistimed clutch at junctions or on hills. That takes away a common worry for new drivers in busy traffic.

Better for some conditions

Conditions like dyspraxia, anxiety, or physical disabilities that affect coordination can make manual driving harder. An automatic takes clutch control and gear changes out of the picture, which can make learning more manageable.

Learn at your own pace

There is no minimum number of lessons or practice hours for the driving test. How many you need depends on how quickly you learn, and an automatic lets every lesson focus on the driving rather than the gearbox.

Automatic driving lessons: your questions answered

Some instructors charge more for automatic lessons than for manual, and some charge the same. Instructors set their own prices, with no minimum or maximum cost, so compare listed rates on Orbit before you book.

Not on the national figures. DVSA data for 2025/26 shows a 44.6% pass rate for automatic car tests, compared with 50.0% for all car tests. An automatic does remove clutch control and gear changes, which lets you focus on observation, positioning, and hazard awareness, but you still need to reach the same standard to pass.

No. If you pass your driving test in an automatic car, your licence only covers automatic cars. To drive a manual, you can upgrade by passing a driving test in a manual car, and you do not need to take the theory test again. DVSA classes electric cars as automatic, so an automatic-only licence covers a growing share of new cars.

There is no minimum number of lessons you must have or hours you must practise, and there is no official figure for automatic learners. How many lessons you need depends on how quickly you learn, your confidence, and how much private practice you get between lessons. Your instructor can give you an honest view of your progress.

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