Is 1 Hour Enough For Automatic Drivers To Learn Stick Shift? The AA Thinks So

The UK’s AA is suggesting a short conversion course for automatic licence holders to drive manuals after one supervised lesson. Currently, Brits who passed in an auto need to sit a full test again to be allowed to drive stick. The AA’s president, Edmund King, argues that the current system is unfair to drivers who need to drive a manual car on unforeseen occasions. King suggests a one-hour conversion lesson with a qualified instructor, which would teach drivers clutch control, gear changes, hill starts, and other manual-specific skills. However, the British government is not convinced, stating that there are no plans to change the rules, and anyone wanting to drive a manual must still pass a manual driving test. This licensing rule is similar to those in much of Europe, Australia, Japan, and China, but differs from the approach in North America, where a standard passenger car license generally allows driving either transmission type. The AA’s proposal aims to find a middle ground, acknowledging the value of teaching manual gearbox skills while recognizing that someone who has already proved they can drive safely may not need to repeat an entire driving test.