All their lives, applicants for a driving license have needed to learn how to use the manual gearbox to pass the exam. However, that will change radically in a few years due to the rise of automatic transmissions.
Currently applicants for a class B registration do not need, strictly speaking, learn to master the clutch pedal or gear lever to obtain the desired license. Exactly the same thing happens with the A1 and A2 moped or motorcycle permit.
Applicants can choose to do the instruction with automatic transmission vehicles, thanks to the legal change introduced in the General Regulations for Drivers in point 4 of Annex VII. He says like this:
Four. If the applicant takes the aptitude and behavior control test with a vehicle without a clutch pedal, or a manually operated lever in the case of motorcycles, this circumstance will be indicated on the driving license and will only enable them to drive a these characteristics.
“Vehicle with automatic gear change” shall be understood as one that is not equipped with a clutch pedal, or a manually operated lever in the case of motorcycles.
Most vehicles today do not require the use of manual transmission, especially all electric propulsion
In other words, the one who learns with automatic transmission will only be able to drive with automatic transmission, since your driver’s license will be restricted to the use of vehicles with automatic transmission. For most of these drivers this will not be a problem, but what about others?
Manufacturers do not stop reducing the supply of vehicles with manual transmission, and in some ranges it is a symbol of exclusivity, quite the opposite of not having had money to pay for the automatic transmission. However, it is known by all that new drivers do not always use a new vehicle, and they have to settle for one with their years.
This increases the chances of having to end up driving a manual vehicle, or of having to stick to the offer that exists depending on the year of the vehicle, its category, engine, etc. For example, the usual thing in the B segment a few years ago was automatic transmissions for those who could not drive in any other way, or did not know how to do it competently in another way. If anything, there was an automatic version.
Six-speed gear stick from the Volkswagen Golf GTI
Little by little, driving school cars are going to retire, reducing the range of models in which you can opt for a manual gearbox. In the case of hybrids and electrics, the most normal thing is that there is no clutch pedal or manual gearbox, although it is true that there are exceptions.
As long as there is a sufficient number of students per driving school who want to continue using the manual transmission, there are three possible solutions in the event that manufacturers end up eliminating the classic gas, gasoline or diesel engines, and only offer electric vehicles.
A conversion from petrol/diesel to electric is possible, it being usual to remove the engine but keep the original gearbox and clutch pedal. The obvious advantage of this system is that it is impossible to stall the engine, fifth gear can be started from 0 km/h. It will go slowly, but it won’t stall. An electric motor has no minimum speed.
This driving school BYD e3 is electric, it does not have gears or a clutch, but it does have a clutch pedal and a manual gearbox
Another possible solution is to resort to simulated manual changes. In 2021 we tell you that the manufacturer BYD has a version of a fully electric driving school car with a manual transmission simulator to be able to teach in low-emission zones. We also tell you that Toyota patented a system that makes the driver believe that he has a manual, when there are no gear ratios or clutch.
Finally, there is always the resource of extend the useful life of manual gearbox driving school cars like chewing gum, something more feasible with models that sold a lot -such as compact generalists-, for which there are spare parts in the scrapyard for a long time. This approach fails in large cities, or a legal exception is made for it or they will have to teach outside low-emission zones.
There are those who rightly believe that the new generations of drivers may be less competent as they do not face certain difficulties of “analog” driving, and that they are going to delegate a lot to computerized systems and driving aids. Others will say that it was about time, and that this way there will be less accidents. The controversy is served.