A third of new motorists can't change gear because they learned to drive in ... trends now
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The ritual of learning how to change gear is fast becoming a thing of the past as learner drivers are increasingly learning on automatics.
The sight of L-plate drivers struggling with clutch control, and grinding gears - often to mum and dad's horror on the family car - is drifting into history's rear view mirror.
New research shows that nearly a third of new drivers now get automatic-only licences.
The number of motorists learning to drive a manual car has plummeted in recent years thanks partly to the rising popularity of electric vehicles.
In the 2000s, 94 per cent of learner drivers learned in a manual. In the 1990s it was 96 per cent and in the 1980s it was higher still, at 98 per cent.
In the 2000s, 94 per cent of learner drivers learned in a manual. In the 1990s it was 96 per cent and in the 1980s it was higher still, at 98 per cent (Stock image)
But new figures from car marketplace Cinch show that just 69 per cent of those who learned to drive in the last three years did so in a manual vehicle, with 31 per cent opting for an automatic-only licence instead.
It comes after the Government moved to ban the sale of all new conventional petrol and diesel cars and vans in the UK in 2030.
The hunt for automatic vehicles is on the rise as the Government has doubled down on its commitment to phasing out petrol and diesel vehicles in favour of electric cars and vans.
The UK is aiming for all new cars and vans be fully zero emission at the tailpipe from 2035 while, between 2030 and 2035, new cars and vans can be sold if they have the capability to drive a
