Electric Cars & Automatic Driving
Times are changing, and so is the way we drive. With more hybrid and fully electric cars on the road than ever before, automatic driving is becoming the new normal for many learners.
That being said, we currently still see around twice as many passes each month in manual vehicles compared to automatic. Many learners still choose manual because it gives them the flexibility to drive both types of cars once they’ve passed.
However, with the steady shift towards electric vehicles — all of which are automatic by design — we’re seeing more and more learners choosing automatic every year. The landscape is changing, and both options remain strong depending on your goals, confidence, and the type of car you see yourself driving in the future.
The Future of Manual Cars
New petrol and diesel vehicles are being phased out from 2035, which means new manual transmission cars will no longer be available to buy after that point. Because electric vehicles don’t use manual gearboxes, the shift to electric effectively marks the end of new manual cars being produced.
That said, it’s expected that the used car market will continue to offer manual vehicles for many years beyond 2035. Drivers who prefer manual will still have options, but over time, manual cars will naturally become less common as the industry moves fully towards electric.
Cost: Manual vs Automatic in a Changing Market
Cost is a big factor for many learners, and it’s completely understandable. Electric vehicles are still very expensive, which means most people aren’t learning in EVs just yet — they’re choosing the option that gives them the most affordable and realistic path right now.
For some learners, that means sticking with manual, because manual cars are still widely available on the used market and often cheaper to buy and insure. It also keeps their options open while the industry transitions.
However, others are choosing automatic because automatic cars — especially small petrol and hybrid models — have become far more affordable in recent years. With the long‑term shift towards electric vehicles, many learners feel there’s little point in learning manual when the manual gearbox is being phased out in the not‑too‑distant future.
The reality is:
Manual is still more popular today and offers flexibility.
Automation is becoming more affordable and aligns with the future of driving.
Both choices are valid, depending on your budget, confidence, and long‑term plans.
Cost: Manual vs Automatic in a Changing Market
Cost is a big factor for many learners, and it’s completely understandable. Electric vehicles are still very expensive, which means most people aren’t learning in EVs just yet — they’re choosing the option that gives them the most affordable and realistic path right now.
For some learners, that means sticking with manual because manual cars are still widely available on the used market and often cheaper to buy and insure. It also keeps their options open while the industry transitions.
However, others are choosing automatic because automatic cars — especially small petrol and hybrid models — have become far more affordable in recent years. With the long-term shift towards electric vehicles, many learners feel there’s little point in learning manual when the manual gearbox is being phased out in the not‑too‑distant future.
The reality is:
Manual is still more popular today and offers flexibility.
Automation is becoming more affordable and aligns with the future of driving.
Both choices are valid, depending on your budget, confidence, and long‑term plans.
What's The Difference Between Manual and Automatic Transmission?
Without getting too technical, the main difference is that automatic cars don’t have a clutch pedal.
You also have a simplified gearbox. Manual transmission cars have five or six gears, plus reverse, giving you full control over how the car performs.
Automatic cars tend to have four modes:
Park – P
Reverse – R
Neutral – N
Drive – D
The car itself selects the right gear for the speed and road conditions. This means you only need to think about whether you’re going forwards, backwards, or stopping.
The Growing Demand for Automatic Lessons
Back in 2021, Drive like a Boss had just two automatic driving instructors. Fast‑forward to 2026, and we now have over twenty – a huge increase that reflects how quickly demand for automatic lessons has grown. More learners than ever are choosing automatic, whether it’s for simplicity, confidence, or because they’re thinking ahead to the electric vehicle future.
Thanks to the size of our team, we’re now able to offer automatic instructors in most of the areas we cover. If you’re unsure whether we teach automatic in your location, you can use our postcode search tool to check availability.
The Growing Demand for Automatic Lessons
Back in 2021, Drive like a Boss had just two automatic driving instructors. Fast‑forward to 2026, and we now have over twenty – a huge increase that reflects how quickly demand for automatic lessons has grown. More learners than ever are choosing automatic, whether it’s for simplicity, confidence, or because they’re thinking ahead to the electric vehicle future.
Thanks to the size of our team, we’re now able to offer automatic instructors in most of the areas we cover. If you’re unsure whether we teach automatic in your location, you can use our postcode search tool to check availability.
What Our Learners Say
Don’t just take our word for it. Here’s what our students have to say.
Shannon – Passed 2025 – Automatic
I started learning with Owais in 2025, and I couldn't have gotten luckier with a driving instructor! I was nervous to learn to drive again, but he instantly made me feel at ease, encouraging me even on days where I did not feel very confident with my driving. Owais is a very supportive instructor; I particularly appreciated his willingness to adapt his teaching style to accommodate my struggles with ADHD. I'd definitely recommend him to neurodivergent learners. He suggested methods which suited my learning style; it was so effective that I managed to pass first time! I recommend Owais to anyone I know who wants to start driving. He is definitely the best instructor I've ever had; I couldn't be happier! Thank you for providing such a comfortable learning experience and flexible last-minute lesson times. I am so pleased!
Olivier – Passed 2026 - Automatic
A huge thank you to Rana, who was an incredible driving instructor throughout my lessons. He is a very calm and patient person. When I first started learning with him, I had a lot of difficulties because I came from a country where we drive differently, which created a lot of confusion and hesitation for me. Rana understood my situation straight away and helped me work through every one of those issues step by step. Today, after passing my driving test, I’m here to say thank you for his patience and for all the effort he put into helping me succeed. I 110% recommend Rana to anyone looking for a driving instructor; you’ll see that with him, it won’t take you long to make real progress.
Yetunde - Passed 2026 - Automatic
I really enjoyed learning with Vanessa. I couldn’t have asked for a better driving instructor than Vanessa! She is incredibly patient, supportive, and explains everything clearly, which really helped build my confidence on the road. Every lesson was well structured and tailored to what I needed to improve, and she always created a calm and positive learning environment. Vanessa’s encouragement and practical tips made a huge difference, especially when preparing for my test. She genuinely cares about her students’ progress and wants them to succeed. I’m really grateful for all her help and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a professional and friendly driving instructor. I passed on the first attempt thanks to Vanessa.
Meet Our Team of Automatic Instructors
Ahmad
Manual Instructor in VW Golf
Automatic Instructor in Toyota Hybrid
Amandeep
Automatic Instructor
Ford Fiesta
Amina
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Corolla
Aqsa
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Ashwani
Automatic Instructor
Lexus CT200
Brendan
Automatic Instructor
Honda Jazz
Atikur
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Carl
Automatic Instructor
Cupra Born
Csillag
Automatic Instructor
Toyota C-HR
Ginse
Automatic Instructor
Volkswagen Polo
Imad
Automatic Instructor
Mercedes A200
Joy
Automatic Instructor
Lexus CT200H
Milad
Automatic Instructor
Lexus CT200H
Amina
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Corolla
Owais
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Raj
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Ram
Automatic Instructor
Ford Fiesta
Rana
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Rofi
Automatic Instructor
Lexus CT200
Sarah J
Automatic Instructor
Ford Fiesta
Vanessa
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Corolla
Zahid
Automatic Instructor in Lexus CT200H
Manual Instructor in Audi A3
Shahida
Automatic Instructor
Renault Clio
Essa
Automatic Instructor
Toyota Yaris
Andrei
Automatic Instructor
Dacia Sandero
