In short The automatic driving test has the same parts, length, fee and marking as the manual test. The difference is your licence: pass in an automatic or semi-automatic car and you can only drive automatics. To drive manual cars later, you take the practical test again in a manual car.
Updated 9 November 2026 · Source: GOV.UK car driving test guidance, checked 9 November 2026
What is the same
- The eyesight check, show me tell me questions, independent driving and one reversing exercise.
- Around 35 minutes of driving.
- The fee: £62 on weekdays, £75 for evenings, weekends and bank holidays.
- The marking: up to 15 driving faults and no serious or dangerous faults.
What is different
- Your licence covers automatic and semi-automatic cars only.
- No clutch control, so no stalling or rolling back on a hill start in most cars.
- You still do a hill start and, on some tests, an emergency stop.
The Driving Test Routes app works in manual and automatic cars, on practice routes around your test centre
Pros and cons
| Automatic: for | Automatic: against |
|---|---|
| Fewer controls, so more attention for the road | The licence is automatic only |
| Nearly all electric and many new cars are automatic | Lessons can cost more in some areas |
| Many learners find they need fewer lessons | Fewer instructors offer automatic in some areas |
Moving to a manual licence later
To add manual cars to your licence, take the practical car test again in a manual car. You do not need to repeat any other test to do so.
Frequently asked questions
Is the automatic driving test easier?
It is the same test and standard. Many learners find it easier because there is no clutch or gears to manage.
Can I drive a manual car with an automatic licence?
No. To drive manual cars you need to take the practical test again in a manual car.
Is there a hill start on the automatic test?
Yes. You still move off on a hill; the car's hill hold or the brakes do the work the clutch does in a manual.
Read next
Practise on the roads around your test centre
The Driving Test Routes app turns your phone into a practice coach for the practical test.
- Practice routes around UK test centres, with voice directions
- Mock tests that score the drive and list the faults to work on
- All 21 show me tell me questions, with photos of each control
- An emergency stop drill that times your reaction