script type="application/ld+json"> { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": ["Article", "FAQPage", "Table"], "headline": "Manual vs Automatic Driving Lessons: Which Is Best in 2025?", "description": "Compare manual and automatic gearbox driving lessons for 2025. Automatic has a 52% pass rate and takes 28 hours, while manual has 46% and 38 hours. Learn which suits you with IntensiveLessons.co.uk.", "url": "https://intensivelessons.co.uk/blog/learn-to-drive-manual-or-automatic", "datePublished": "2025-10-25", "dateModified": "2025-10-25", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Taylor ADI", "jobTitle": "DVSA Approved Driving Instructor", "affiliation": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "IntensiveLessons.co.uk", "url": "https://intensivelessons.co.uk" } }, "publisher": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "IntensiveLessons.co.uk", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://intensivelessons.co.uk/logo.png" }, "url": "https://intensivelessons.co.uk", "sameAs": [ "https://facebook.com/intensivelessons", "https://instagram.com/intensivelessons" ] }, "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Should I learn to drive on a manual or automatic gearbox?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Automatic lessons have a 52% pass rate and take 28 hours on average, ideal for urban drivers and EVs. Manual lessons (46% pass rate, 38 hours) suit rural areas and HGV paths." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "Can I drive a manual car with an automatic licence?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "No, an automatic licence restricts you to automatic vehicles. A manual licence allows both." } } ], "about": "Comparison of Manual vs Automatic Driving Lessons", "tableColumnHeader": ["Aspect", "Manual", "Automatic"], "tableRow": [ ["Pass Rate (DVSA 2024)", "46%", "52%"], ["Average Hours", "38", "28"], ["Best For", "Rural, HGV paths", "Urban, EV future"] ], "speakable": { "@type": "SpeakableSpecification", "cssSelector": [".gearbox-comparison"] } }

Manual vs Automatic: Key Differences

AspectManualAutomatic
Pass Rate (DVSA 2025)46%52%
Average Hours3828
Best ForRural, HGV pathsUrban, EV future

Why Choose Automatic?

With EVs rising (12% of UK cars by 2030), automatics are future-proof. Our automatic intensives save 10 hours.

Why Choose Manual?

Manual licences let you drive both gearbox types. Ideal for rural areas or HGV careers.

Not sure what driving course you need?

Use our our course recommender.



Last Updated: 28/10/2025
By:
whatsapp