News

The Automatic Revolution Hits The UK.

Picture this: you’re at a tricky roundabout, cars beeping, and your left leg’s doing the cha-cha on the clutch while your right hand fumbles for the correct gear. 

Sound like a nightmare? 

Well, more UK learners than ever are saying, “Nah, mate, I’ll take the easy road!” 

Automatic Driving Tests Skyrocket.

According to the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), automatic driving tests have skyrocketed—and at DrewMatic, one the North East’s top automatic driving schools, we’re not surprised one bit. 

So why are folks kicking manuals to the curb and embracing the auto life? Buckle up (no clutch required) for the truth!

Reason 1: Automatics Are Taking Over the Roads—Literally.

The DVSA spilled the tea: in 2022-23, a whopping 324,064 automatic-only driving tests were taken, up a jaw-dropping 360% from just 70,429 in 2007-08. 

Meanwhile, manual tests slumped from 1.69 million to 1.36 million over the same stretch. 

Why? Blame the car gods—over 62% of new cars sold in 2021 were automatics, per the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 

Learners aren’t daft—they’re thinking, “If my first banger’s gonna be an auto, why wrestle a gear stick now?” 

At DrewMatic, we’ve got the shiny automatics ready to roll—no stalling on hills required.

Reason 2: No More Clutch-Induced Panic Attacks

Let’s be real: mastering a manual is like learning to pat your head and rub your tummy while riding a unicycle. Automatics? 

It’s just gas and brake—your nanna could do it in her sleep. 

DVSA stats show 60% of learners reckon automatics are easier, and who are we to argue? 

No more stalled engines at South Shields traffic lights or gear-grinding embarrassment in front of a judgy instructor. 

With DrewMatic, you’re cruising stress-free from lesson one— some of our students call it “driving with a cuppa” easy.

Reason 3: The Electric Future’s Calling (And It’s All Auto.)

Electric cars are the cool kids now—all automatic, zero gears. 

With the UK eyeing a 2035 ban on new petrol and diesel cars, learners are future-proofing their skills. 

Why learn a dying art when you can zip around in a silent, clutch-free Tesla wannabe? 

The DVSA’s seen this shift firsthand—automatic tests are climbing while manual ones limp along. 

DrewMatic’s ahead of the curve, training North East newbies for the electric age—one smooth ride at a time.

Reason 4: Passing’s a Breeze (Sort Of)
Okay, plot twist: DVSA data says automatic pass rates lag behind manuals—42.7% vs. 48.4% in 2022-23. “Wait, what?!” you cry, spilling your tea. 

Yep, manuals still edge out slightly, but here’s the kicker: automatics mean fewer lessons. 

Less clutch faff = more time perfecting roundabouts. 

At DrewMatic, our pass rate beats the North East Manual AND Automatic average—over 400 Trustpilot reviews don’t lie. 

We’ve got the magic (and the automatics) to get you licenced, quickly. 

Reason 5: It’s a Vibe for All Ages and Genders.
Fun fact: women are three times more likely to pick automatics (DVSA data backs this up), and older learners are jumping on the bandwagon too.

Maybe it’s the “no faff” appeal or just wanting to look cool pulling up in Hartlepool without a stall-out.

Whatever it is, DrewMatic’s male and female instructors are seeing everyone from teens to pensioners ditch the gear stick. It’s less “boy racer” and more “chill driver”—and we’re here for it.

So there you have it—automatics are the UK’s new driving darlings, and the DVSA’s numbers prove it: 360% more tests in 15 years!

Whether it’s dodging clutch chaos, prepping for electric dreams, or just wanting a smoother ride, learners are flocking to the auto side. 

Fancy joining the revolution?

Book a lesson with DrewMatic—we’ll have you zooming through the North East, no gears required. 

Who needs a clutch, the faff or the fuss when you’ve got us?

Choose Your Driving Instructor Wisely

Nobody can deny how popular Automatic has become in very recent times. 

There’s more choice out there today than there ever has been. 

So what should you look for?

How many passes does the school you’re looking at post?

What reviews do they have?

Where do those reviews come from?

Social proof is everything. 

Learning to drive isn’t cheap, you need to be sure that the money you’re spending is being spent wisely. 

Are you choosing a driving school with more than one instructor?

What can the driving school tell you about the instructor you’re being allocated?

Are there any/many passes attributed to that instructor on the driving school page?

Learning to drive can be stressful, will your instructor make you laugh?

Will they use that laughter to make you feel comfortable and safe?

Will they teach you, the way you learn, or will they expect you to learn the way they teach?

Good instructors will always adapt to you 🫵 and they should never expect you to adapt to them. 

Choose wisely, don’t dive in. 

And always do your homework and choose your driving instructor wisely. 

Don’t Fall For The Lies Of The Big Name Franchise.

Large franchise driving schools in the UK can sometimes be unreliable due to several common issues. 

The Big Name Franchise (BNF) will usually offer low-priced packages, like £99 for 10 lessons, to attract customers, but these deals often lead to problems such as instructors not showing up, lessons being shorter than promised, or difficulties getting refunds when services fail. 

Not content with charging a hefty franchise fee, many of the BNF will take a percentage of your lesson fees too. 

Fair?

During challenges like lockdowns, some big names, such as AA Driving School, have faced criticism for not supporting instructors financially, causing stress and debt.

These schools aren’t regulated like individual instructors, so if something goes wrong, it’s harder to get help.

Instructor contracts with large franchise driving schools in the UK can be quite restrictive and challenging. 

These contracts often require instructors to pay significant upfront fees, sometimes thousands of pounds, to join the franchise. 

Sometimes, even though you’re not paying hundreds of pounds up front, you will be tied in to long term contracts. 

And once you discover that you’ve been ‘conned,’ it’s too late. 

In return, they’re promised training, branding, and customer leads, but the reality can be different.

After an initial influx of customers, you’ll then be forced to accept the loss leading special deal lessons on the cheap, and forced to source your own work. 

Oh it’s to help you prepare for life after the franchise they’ll tell you. 

Nah. It’s not. 

It’s usually because the BNF has a bad reputation and is struggling to get customers. 

Many instructors find themselves locked into long-term agreements, sometimes lasting several years, which they can’t easily exit without facing hefty penalties or losing their investment. 

Franchises might also take a big cut of the lesson fees—up to 50% or more—leaving instructors with low earnings, sometimes as little as £10 per hour after expenses. 

This can make it hard for them to make a decent living, especially if lessons get cancelled or students don’t show up, as they still have to pay the franchise fees.

Some contracts also have strict rules about working independently or switching to another franchise, which limits instructors’ freedom. 

Overall, these contracts can create a lot of pressure and financial risk for instructors, which is why you should always do you homework. 

AA, My Four Wheels, Pass N Go, Bill Plant et al, will all tie you to franchise deals that seem okay, but quickly deteriorate. 

Pass N Go for example, have a rule where they will force you to travel to their office to ensure your car is up to standard! 

Properly badged up etc, or else!!!!

And that’s to name just one little contract rule. 

Be wary also, of deals offering Free Instructor Training. 

This often isn’t as free as it sounds. 

For example, you’ll often be tied / handcuffed to a 2 year contract meaning your free training costs over £2500. 

When sourcing it yourself can often cost as little as £1600. 

This isn’t a DrewMatic advert, it’s more of a Public Service Announcement. 

Please, don’t fall for the lies of the big name franchise. 

Do your homework, don’t get caught with the soap in the shower!

Don’t be misled by Big Name Brands

We can’t compete with the big name brands.

They can provide you with a car, free training, glossy brochures and promises of riches beyond your wildest dreams, all for the super reasonable price of £100plus (ish) a week.

What they don’t give you though, is honesty.

What they won’t tell you is that your Trainer is likely not fully qualified.

What they won’t tell you that you’re handcuffed on a “pay us or else” contract.

They won’t tell you that you’re now forced to take whatever work they give you.

They won’t tell you that you’ll be told to find your own work too- with the onus being on you to provide your own work.

Effectively, you’re paying hundreds of pounds a month, for the ‘honor’ of having their name on the car.

They won’t tell you that they often won’t pay you on time.

They won’t tell you that even after you’ve paid them an excessive ‘management service fee’ you be expected to pay a portion of your lesson fees too. “A little piece of the action” to quote one.

We get it, you’ve wanted to be a Driving Instructor for some time now, you’ve considered some of the smaller schools but went for the big name instead.

Don’t take our word for it, when you do that, just speak to any independent instructor out there.

When you sign on that dotted line, it’s misery and expense thereon after.

And it won’t be until you’re talking to other instructors in the Driving Test Centre Waiting Room that you’ll realise that you’ve been shafted.

Our message is relatively simple, we’d love it if you chose us, we’d train you, we’d take great care of you, but you don’t have to, just don’t fall for the lies, of the big name franchise.

Other Automatic Driving Schools are available. (But we get the most passes!!!)

To find out what we offer, click HERE.

Choose us, or don’t choose us, but, whatever you do, choose wisely.

Please.