Is It Still Worth Getting a Manual Car Licence? The Decision May Soon Be Out of Your Hands

2025-02-26

For decades, learning to drive a manual car was a rite of passage. But with automatic vehicles dominating new car sales, and a national shortage of manual driving instructors, the days of manual licences may be numbered.

A Declining Trend in Manual Driving

According to new research by EzLicence, Australia’s largest platform for booking driving lessons, there is a nationwide shortage of driving instructors—and manual instructors are even rarer than automatic ones.

For every 100 learner drivers:

There are 13 automatic instructors
There are 11 manual instructors
The number of instructors has declined by 3% in the past year

The shortage is especially bad in Queensland and Western Australia, with fewer instructors available per learner compared to other states. The hardest-hit cities include:

Sunshine Coast, Brisbane (QLD), and LaTrobe (VIC) for automatic instructors
Wollongong (NSW), Sunshine Coast, and Brisbane (QLD) for manual instructors

If you're hoping to learn from a female instructor, the situation is even worse—nationwide, there are only two female instructors per 100 learners, and the ACT has none at all.

Is It Still Worth Getting a Manual Licence?

With only 3% of new passenger cars sold in 2024 being manual, you may be wondering whether it’s worth the extra effort to learn. The answer depends on your situation:

✅ Manual cars can be cheaper—usually around $1000 less than their automatic counterparts.✅ Insurance for manual cars is generally lower, saving you money in the long run.✅ Certain industries still require manual skills, including trades and delivery jobs.✅ Traveling overseas? Many rental cars in Europe and the UK are still manual.

However, there are also downsides:❌ Manual cars are becoming harder to find—many manufacturers are phasing them out.❌ Learning manual is harder—it requires gear changes, clutch control, and multitasking.❌ Future-proofing—as electric vehicles (EVs) take over, manual transmissions will become obsolete.

Is a Manual Driving Test Harder Than an Automatic?

While the actual driving test is the same, driving a manual car increases the risk of making mistakes:

Stalling a manual car at the start of the test is an instant fail.
Changing gears smoothly while keeping up with traffic is an added challenge.
Pass rates are slightly lower—manual drivers have a 59% pass rate compared to 63% for automatic.

Interestingly, some data suggests that manual drivers are more likely to pass on their first try, possibly because they practice more before taking the test.

Should You Get a Manual or Automatic Licence First?

If you think you’ll need to drive a manual at some point, it's best to get your manual licence first. Once you’ve learned the skill, it's like riding a bike—you’ll always remember it.

However, if you choose an automatic licence, switching to a manual later can be difficult:

In WA and Queensland, you must retrain and retest to drive a manual.
In Victoria and Tasmania, you can only drive a manual after completing your probationary period (3–4 years).
In NSW and ACT, restrictions are more relaxed, allowing you to drive a manual once you upgrade from P1 to P2.

The Future of Manual Driving

With manufacturers phasing out manuals and fewer instructors available, learning to drive a manual may soon become a niche skill. While enthusiasts still love the control and excitement of a manual gearbox, most drivers are opting for the ease and convenience of an automatic.

If you’re considering your options, ask yourself:

Do I need a manual car for work?
Am I planning to drive in countries where manual cars are common?
Do I want to save money on my car purchase and insurance?

If the answer is no, an automatic licence may be the smarter choice for the future. But if you love the thrill of driving, learning to drive manual is still a skill worth mastering—before it’s too late.

Ensure you search the Tynan stock through our link here.

Credit: Drive.com.au