The shift towards automatic cars among young motorists is having a significant impact on insurance premiums, with those who can only drive automatics facing a considerable increase

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According to data from Compare the Market, premiums for manual drivers aged 25 and under have risen by an average of £644 in the past year, surpassing £2,000. However, for young motorists limited to automatic vehicles, the increase is even steeper, with premiums rising by £916 to an average of £2,803 per year. This trend coincides with a notable rise in the number of learner drivers opting for automatic cars during their driving tests. Official figures indicate a record high, with approximately 324,000 automatic-only tests taken last year, marking a significant increase of about a third Despite the growing popularity of automatic vehicles among learners, the figures also highlight a disparity in pass rates between manual and automatic drivers.

While 48% of learners in manual cars passed their tests, only 43% of candidates in automatics succeeded. This suggests that while automatic cars may be easier to operate for some learners, mastering the nuances of manual transmission may still confer an advantage in terms of driving skills and test success.   Overall, the data underscores the broader shift in the automotive industry towards automatic vehicles, driven in part by the increasing popularity of electric cars. This shift is not only shaping driving preferences but also impacting various aspects of the driving experience, including insurance premiums and driving test dynamics.

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