The UK's AA is proposing that drivers with automatic-only licenses should be allowed to drive manual cars after completing a one-hour supervised lesson.
Currently, drivers who pass their test in an automatic vehicle must retake the entire driving test in a manual car to gain the entitlement to drive one.
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This requirement contributes to a significant backlog in driving tests, leaving some drivers waiting months for an upgrade.
More drivers are opting to take their test in an automatic, as manual cars become less common across Europe.
However, regulations then restrict them from driving manual vehicles unless they pass the full test again in a stick-shift car.
The AA, led by President Edmund King, argues this system is unfair, especially when drivers unexpectedly need to operate a manual vehicle.
King told The Daily Telegraph that most automatic drivers quickly develop good road skills, so forcing them to wait months for a test slot is unnecessary.
One-Hour Conversion Lesson
Instead of a full retest, King suggests a one-hour conversion lesson with a qualified instructor would suffice.
This lesson would cover clutch control, gear changes, hill starts, and other manual-specific skills, without overburdening the already stretched testing system.
The British government remains unconvinced.
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A Department for Transport spokesperson told The Telegraph there are no plans to alter the rules, emphasizing that manual driving requires passing a manual test.
