Automatic cars are more popular than ever before in the UK, with more learners ditching the clutch pedal and saying goodbye to gears.
If you’re looking to learn to drive in an automatic, you’re in luck: all PassMeFast courses can be taken in either a manual or an automatic car. Simply click the button below to get started, or read on to find out more.
Though 84% of UK cars use manual transmission, the increasing popularity of automatic cars shows that there are plenty of things going for them. Some of the main pros of choosing to go auto are:
With an auto, you won't have to worry about clutch control or wearing your clutch out. You'll also avoid the sudden stopping and starting that drives manual drivers insane in an inner-city traffic jam. However, automatics aren't perfect. Before booking, make sure you're aware of the cons…
Not only are automatic cars more expensive to buy, but they tend to use more fuel and can be more expensive to service. Getting an automatic licence also means you can't drive a manual car later—while manual drivers can switch to auto. And with pass rates in automatic cars lower than for manual cars, it isn't necessarily easier or quicker to learn in an auto.
Want more detail? Check out our full comparison article of automatic vs. manual cars.
There are positives and negatives to manual and automatic cars—and, in the end, it all comes down to which suits you best.
The great thing with PassMeFast is that the choice is yours. We offer automatic and manual courses in all the areas we cover, with many of our students benefitting from our automatic driving lessons in Manchester and other major cities.
Manual or automatic, we can help you get on the road in just weeks. To get started, give the team a call on 0333 123 4949, or click the button below to get on the road.
From their friendly, positive demeanour to their comprehensive knowledge of all things driving, our instructors are some of the best in the biz. Don't just take our word for it, though—see what some of our customers had to say!
Mark was my driving instructor and all I can say is that he was amazing! I suffer with anxiety and he made me feel comfortable and pushed me so I felt more confident. I did a 15 hour course and passed first time! Thank you Mark!
The instructor assigned to me was Phillip — he was fantastic. Chatty and friendly from the off. He was informative and helped massively with my confidence issues. A great experience.
PassMeFast delivered on their promise: I got a practical test date within 4 weeks! Their driving instructor, Kabir, was really good—professional, patient and instrumental to passing on my first attempt.
The instructor, Andrew, was great: polite, patient, always on time and great support all the way. We had some good laughs — his sense of humor has made the lessons even more enjoyable. In one: great service and well selected, knowledgeable instructors.
My instructor Manesh was amazing — he made me feel so confident, comfortable and happy to be doing my lessons. I would definitely recommend!
Learning in an automatic isn't necessarily an easier option. If you're struggling with common issues such as observation, switching from manual to automatic will make little difference. If, however, you're experiencing difficulty with gear changes or clutch control, you're likely to benefit significantly from learning in an automatic. To discuss your needs with a member of our team, call us on 0333 123 4949.
Despite the common perception of automatics as 'easier' to drive, pass rates in automatic cars are typically lower than those in manual cars. Nonetheless, thousands of learners still manage to get their licence in automatics every year—so, if you've got your heart set on an auto, don't be dissuaded by the stats!
Automatic cars are more fuel-intensive, as well as being more expensive to purchase and service. Additionally, most instructors drive manual cars, with a much smaller number of automatics on the road. This means that prices for automatic lessons are typically higher than those of manual lessons.
Nope—if you pass in a manual car, you'll be free to drive vehicles of either transmission after you pass.
No—if you pass your test in an automatic car, you will only legally be allowed to drive automatic cars. You'll need to pass again in a manual car if you wish to change transmission.
We offer automatic courses in all of the areas we cover, including major cities such as London, Manchester, Birmingham and Leeds.
In a manual car, you'll need to change gears yourself, while in an automatic car the gearbox makes the decision. This means that, if you learn in an auto, you won't have to learn how to perform gear changes, and won't need to deal with a clutch pedal.
No—if you pass your test in an automatic car, you will only legally be allowed to drive automatic cars. You'll need to pass again in a manual car if you wish to change transmission.
This may be possible in certain circumstances. Please contact the office if you wish to change transmission.
We will always work to meet our students' preferences where possible, including the gender of their instructor. However, in certain areas, we have a very limited number of female instructors with automatic cars. We will notify you if this is the case, and will work alongside you to find a solution that meets your needs.
When driving an automatic, the car's transmission system will decide on the appropriate gear. This means that you won't need to manually change gears using a gear stick. You'll also notice that there's no clutch pedal in an automatic car.
For learners, the advantages are that you'll be able to skip the process of perfecting your clutch control and learning how to perform smooth gear changes. This can make urban driving much easier. However, automatic cars can be more expensive to buy and service, and offer a less interactive driving experience. It's up to you to decide which is best for your needs.
This may be possible in certain circumstances. Please contact the office if you wish to change transmission.
The PassMeFast Blog is home to a whole host of useful articles covering everything you need to know about driving. For the latest advice, visit our learning to drive section.
No – you can book a PassMeFast course without having passed your theory. You must, however, have passed your theory test before you can take a practical test. PassMeFast can book your theory for you as part of your course for an additional cost of £40.
Yes. Please call the team on 0333 123 4949 if you wish to pay in instalments.
Intensive and semi-intensive driving courses are our area of expertise in both manual and automatic cars. This means that you could get up to test standard in just days rather than months—even if you're a beginner.
We'll begin by booking you a practical test that suits you, before structuring your lessons around this date. This ensures that the knowledge you'll gain from your course will be fresh in your mind just in time for your test.
Automatic courses are available across our coverage area. To find out whether you can book, check out the areas we cover. Please note that demand for automatic instructors may be higher in certain areas, and that course start dates may vary by location.
Our courses are structured so that your driving lessons take place in the run-up to your practical test. As such, you will typically need to wait until your test date is locked in before arrangements for your lessons begin. Please do not book any time off work until this date is confirmed.
Our PassMeFast instructors have a wide range of cars. Which car you are taught in depends which instructor is assigned to you. If you have a preference for which make or model of car you learn in, please let us know when you book your course. While we can't guarantee you'll learn in any specific make or model, we'll take your preferences into account when assigning an instructor.
All of our instructors:
To ensure that you have the instructor's full attention for the entirety of your course, you'll always be taught on a one-on-one basis. To get to know some of our instructors a little better, click here.
We will always work to meet our students' preferences where possible, including the gender of their instructor. However, in certain areas, we have a very limited number of female instructors with automatic cars. We will notify you if this is the case, and will work alongside you to find a solution that meets your needs.
We appreciate that, in a small minority of cases, a pupil may be assigned an instructor that isn't a good fit. In the unlikely scenario that any major issues arise relating to an instructor, we will work closely with the pupil to seek a suitable resolution, including the possibility of changing to a different instructor.
The structure of your course is up to you. You can take lessons in blocks as short as two hours or as long as five hours. You'll also be able to choose a number of sessions per week that fits with your availability, as well as your preferred learning style. To learn more, check out our guide to semi-intensive driving courses.
This can typically be resolved by having a conversation with your instructor. In the unlikely event that any issues arise due to changing the scheduling of your course, please contact us via email, or by calling 0333 123 4949.
Yes! If you have a tight schedule, it's possible to arrange your course to take place on weekends only. If you're interested in this option, please inform your Booking Agent of this when you make your booking, and they'll be sure to assign you an instructor who can accommodate your request.
No—the course will take place in your local area. Your instructor will typically be able to pick you up and drop you off at home or work.
Yes! As standard, our instructors will pick you up and drop you off at a location of your choice.
If you need to upgrade your course to include more hours, this is usually possible. However, you must let us know about this as soon as possible. Downgrading of courses is not usually permitted.
In such circumstances, please contact the office. Our team will assess each case on an individual basis, and may offer additional tuition, Pass Plus lessons or a refund as appropriate.
Your instructor will inform you of their policy regarding cancellations, which you are required to abide by. Typically, you will be required to give 24–48 hours' notice.
If you find that you're too ill for your driving lesson, please notify your instructor as soon as possible. Be aware that our instructors have their own cancellation policies, with most requiring 24–48 hours' notice.
Though we are unable to give exact dates upon booking, PassMeFast guarantee that we'll beat standard DVSA waiting times for tests. We will always try to find a suitable test for you that takes into account your preferred time, date, and location. Your practical test will, as standard, take place during the last hour of your course.
Yes. However, we will need to check the availability of instructors in your local area for your current test date. If we are unable to secure an instructor for your current test date, our fast-tracking department will be more than happy to help you to alter the date.
Yes! PassMeFast specialise in finding fast-track tests, using methods such as finding driving test cancellations. This means that we can help you change your practical test to an earlier date and pass weeks or even months ahead of standard waiting times.
At PassMeFast, our fast-track department works tirelessly to secure you the best possible practical test dates. They do so via various methods, including via driving test cancellations.
Availability for tests depends on where you'd like to take your test, the times and dates when you're free to take it, and the length of your driving course. If you're flexible with when and where you're able to take your course, it's usually possible to get you a test within just a few weeks. If you're only free at very specific times, or you're taking a very long course, then you may have to wait a little bit longer. Call us on 0333 123 4949 for a more exact estimate of your test dates.
Yes! As standard, you'll be taking your practical test in the same car you'll take lessons in throughout your course. Exceptions to this are very rare—for example, in the instance of a breakdown or emergency.
Driving test centres rarely offer weekend tests. As a result, it may not always be possible for us to book your test on a weekend—though we will always endeavour to do so if this is your preference. Please note that weekend tests cost £13 more than weekday tests.
At the moment, PassMeFast does not offer a guaranteed pass with our courses. However, our pass rate is significantly above the national average, meaning that by choosing PassMeFast, you've got a great chance of getting your licence—fast.
If your practical test doesn't go according to plan, you'll be eligible for a discounted refresher course to ensure you get your licence on the next try. We'll guarantee that you take your test at the same test centre—and you'll keep the same instructor, ensuring you'll be familiar with the car and local test routes. Best of all, we can typically secure you a test date within a month of your original test.
It's normal to have some last-minute nerves, but if your instructor advises you that you're not test ready, then we can move your test back, giving you more time. As long as you give us four clear working days before your test, we can change your test date for an admin fee of just £18.
If you don't pass, don't worry! We have a number of options available to help make sure you get your licence next time around. We offer a 10% discount on any of our standard courses if you rebook with PassMeFast. If you wish, we can also guarantee that you can take your new course with the same instructor or at the same test centre.
If you have any special requirements, give us a call on 0333 123 4949. Our friendly sales team will look into the possibility of making arrangements for your course, and will let you know whether we're able to help you get your licence.
Unfortunately, we don't currently offer extended tests. If you require an extended test, you won't be able to book a course with us.
The traditional method of learning to drive involves getting behind the wheel for just an hour each week, with long gaps between each lesson. As you might be able to guess, this isn't an ideal situation—each lesson doesn't leave you with enough time to properly cover a skill, and you're likely to forget some of what you've learned by the time you next get in the car.
Our intensive courses, however, involve longer sessions taken on several days each week. This helps learners to retain information and build their skills more quickly. Additionally, by booking with PassMeFast, you can rest assured that the admin side of things is taken care of for you by one of our helpful booking agents. Find out more about why our intensive courses work.
Many companies offering 'crash courses' aim to squeeze the entire process of learning to drive into just a 5-day window. Now, we're advocates of learning intensively, but we know that this style of learning simply isn't right for everyone—a little flexibility can go a long way, after all!
Our intensive courses differ by helping you learn quickly without making you put your entire life on hold. If you do have the time on your hands, you're able to take up to 5 hours of lessons per day. Don't worry if you've got a busy schedule, though—our sessions can be as short as two hours, with evening and weekend options available. Learn more by checking out our guide to semi-intensive courses.