Future driving license and EVs

DB1904

molerat said:

Interesting times.  Youngsters are also passing their test in cars with auto handbrakes and hill start assist, their first car is unlikely to have either.

The only aid they can't use on test is auto parking. 

Car_54

facade said:

It is still what people understand as a "Full" licence though, but only for autos. Dot Gov go on about 2 pedal being auto, 3 pedal being manual, so I can't see a paddle shift or modified semi auto counting as anything but auto.

So any 2 pedal car, electric, PHEV, hybrid, hydrogen, atomic etc would only gain you an auto licence.

Not quite. As is often the case, .gov.uk has over-simplified things.

The actual definition of "automatic" in the Regulations refers to the driver not having "a clutch pedal or lever which he may operate manually".

Leaving aside the pedantic point that a pedal is not operated "manually", this means that a car with only two pedals still qualifies as manual, if it has a clutch which is lever-operated. 

facade

Car_54 said:

facade said:

It is still what people understand as a "Full" licence though, but only for autos. Dot Gov go on about 2 pedal being auto, 3 pedal being manual, so I can't see a paddle shift or modified semi auto counting as anything but auto.

So any 2 pedal car, electric, PHEV, hybrid, hydrogen, atomic etc would only gain you an auto licence.

Not quite. As is often the case, .gov.uk has over-simplified things.

Yes, I thought about adding (who are usually misleading or plain wrong) after dot gov when I wrote it

poppy12345

400ixl said:

Hybrid Toyotas can and most likely are manuals for driving schools.

That's not correct. Toyota don't make manual hybrids, only automatics. I've recently collected my brand new Toyota Corolla, which is hybrid and auto.

Bonniepurple

I’ve been looking into this recently as, while I have a full manual licence, I find it too painful to drive a manual and therefore only drive an automatic (with left foot braking).  So long as I don’t need any adaptations (eg left foot accelerator) I don’t need to inform DVLA.  As soon as I do, I will be issued with a full, automatic licence.

If and when I’m issued with an automatic only licence, I will need to display L Plates if I drive a manual, regardless of the fact that I passed my test 21 years ago in a manual.  I will also be unable to supervise learners in a manual.  Given that I’ve got 2 teenagers, I’m going to cling on to my manual licence for as long as I can!

DB1904

Bonniepurple said:

I’ve been looking into this recently as, while I have a full manual licence, I find it too painful to drive a manual and therefore only drive an automatic (with left foot braking).  So long as I don’t need any adaptations (eg left foot accelerator) I don’t need to inform DVLA.  As soon as I do, I will be issued with a full, automatic licence.

If and when I’m issued with an automatic only licence, I will need to display L Plates if I drive a manual, regardless of the fact that I passed my test 21 years ago in a manual.  I will also be unable to supervise learners in a manual.  Given that I’ve got 2 teenagers, I’m going to cling on to my manual licence for as long as I can!

I don't know why they'd issue an automatic licence only licence if it's for medical adaptions. However if you can only drive an automatic with medical adaptions then why do you think you'd be fit to drive a manual without them?

ontheroad1970

Benny2020 said:

AUTOMATIC DRIVING LICENCE UK

If you have difficulties using manual gears or a stick shift, then taking and passing the automatic driving test is easier than manual. Remember however that you will only be entitled to drive automatics which could be restrictive when renting cars, using courtesy cars and even purchasing car.

Are you trying to boost your number of posts?  If not why not put all of these into one post rather than ten?

yessuz

Question is why the hell would anyone in sane mind (and not being in super niche profession or hobby) would want to drive manual

Keep_pedalling

400ixl said:

Nothing stops a Hybrid or full EV being a manual, although far less common in a full EV. There will no doubt come a time where more people will just take the auto test and forgo the ability to drive a manual as they are unlikely to drive one, or the rules will change where a test in either allows you to drive either.

All EVs are single speed and clutchless which pretty much stops them being manual.

Emmia

yessuz said:

Question is why the hell would anyone in sane mind (and not being in super niche profession or hobby) would want to drive manual

Personally I like the choice of being able to drive either a manual or an automatic car, so I have a manual licence.

I think it is also the case that automatics were not as good in the past as they are now, and many people tend to stick with what they know - which may be a manual.

Suggesting that a fair proportion of drivers are insane though because they drive a manual is a little OTT.