The AA is calling on the government to let motorists who pass their driving test in an automatic car legally drive a manual vehicle after completing a simple one-hour conversion lesson. The proposal aims to tackle the massive backlog of driving test bookings that is currently frustrating learners across the nation.
Under current rules, anyone who learns to drive in an automatic car is not permitted to drive a manual vehicle. To switch, they must pass an additional practical test in a car with a manual gearbox. This has become a significant hurdle as waiting lists for tests have grown longer than ever, making it difficult for drivers to rent vehicles or borrow a friend's car when needed.
Soaring waiting times and shift to automatics
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) reveal that the average waiting time for a practical test reached nearly 22 weeks in May 2026. This is a stark increase compared to the five-week average recorded in early 2020, according to Steven Smith for Chronicle Live.
At the same time, more than a quarter of all tests taken in the last financial year were in automatic vehicles. As electric cars become increasingly common, traditional manual gearboxes are quickly becoming a thing of the past for new learners, making the current restriction feel outdated to many.
AA president argues for pragmatic solution
Edmund King, president of the AA, said: "Most drivers of automatic cars quickly develop good road skills, so it doesn't make sense to force them to spend months overcoming the driving test backlog just to borrow a manual car. What we need is the Government to approve a conversion lesson provided by driving schools so that those who pass their test automatically can also drive manual vehicles legally."
He added: "Such a one-hour conversion course would help those who may occasionally need to drive a manual car do so legally. This would be more pragmatic than retesting them in a manual vehicle when the DVSA is struggling to get rid of the current test backlog."
Government resists change, focuses on other measures
Despite the AA's call, ministers show little sign of altering the current regulations in the near future. Official efforts to reduce the backlog are instead focused on hiring more examiners and updating the booking system, rather than changing the rules for automatic licence holders.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: "For the safety of all road users, anyone wishing to drive a manual car must pass a manual driving test and we have no plans to change this."
The AA's proposal has sparked debate among driving instructors and road safety groups, with some supporting the idea as a common-sense way to ease pressure on the system, while others worry that a single hour may not be enough to ensure a driver is fully competent in a manual vehicle.
Impact on learner drivers and the wider motoring public
For the thousands of learners currently waiting months for a test, the change could offer a faster route to driving a wider range of vehicles. It would also help those who have already passed in an automatic but need to drive a manual for work, family commitments, or other reasons.
Industry experts note that the growing popularity of electric vehicles, which are typically automatic, could make the manual test requirement less relevant in the future. However, with the government standing firm, automatic licence holders will have to continue navigating the existing process until any policy shift occurs.
In the meantime, the DVSA continues its efforts to increase test availability, but the backlog remains a major frustration for many. The AA's proposal, while not yet adopted, highlights a potential path forward that could benefit both drivers and the testing system alike.
