Driving tests: What will happen to manual tests/licences when all new cars are electric?

[minimutly]

So what happens when in 30 years time most people can only drive electric vehicles as that's what they HAD to do their test in as the instructors all have newish cars, who will drive all the manual vans and lorries that won't be electric because it just doesn't work for that type of high mileage vehicle?

But you won't find a "stick" that isn't old to pass your test in, unless you borrow your dads classic...
Interesting question.

Similar observation to mine above - but it will happen, won’t it?

 

[MetalMonkey]

So what happens when in 30 years time most people can only drive electric vehicles as that's what they HAD to do their test in as the instructors all have newish cars, who will drive all the manual vans and lorries that won't be electric because it just doesn't work for that type of high mileage vehicle?

I think you will find a lot, if not most of the lorries are automatic now anyway, certainly at the HGV end.
Electric vans are becoming more popular, especially for going in to low emission zones in cities - so I guess the problem will just resolve it self over time as the manuals disappear.

It will be pretty much just the old oddball stuff that will be left.

 

[My Old Landy]

It will probably be a specialist category. In years to come 'petrol heads' will become a niche part of motoring.

 

[colnerov]

So what happens when in 30 years time most people can only drive electric vehicles as that's what they HAD to do their test in as the instructors all have newish cars, who will drive all the manual vans and lorries that won't be electric because it just doesn't work for that type of high mileage vehicle?

Hi, I expect they will become a separate category like 'Steam' or 'Tracked' vehicles.

Colin

Edit: Must read / type faster.

 

[Bravheart]

I learned to drive an auto in Canada. Got it, my buddy explained the gearshift. Told me to put my foot on the brake, put it in drive, let go of brake. Is that it? I said. Yep. Cool. Drove it home. Nice little Dodge Dakota pick up. I can't imagine explaining a manual to a Canadian who'd only driven autos quite as quickly, which is presumably why tests passed on a manual are valid for autos, but not the other way round!

Yes but how many times did your left foot hit the brake propelling everything through the windscreen on that way home

 

[ajlelectronics]

Yes but how many times did your left foot hit the brake propelling everything through the windscreen on that way home

That is why newbies are taught to tuck their left leg under the seat!

 

[eLuSiVeMiTe]

Yes but how many times did your left foot hit the brake propelling everything through the windscreen on that way home

Never had an issue left foot braking. It's just practice.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Yes but how many times did your left foot hit the brake propelling everything through the windscreen on that way home

If I don't do this at least once every trip, then I'm not driving an automatic...
Probably be alright once you get used to it, but swapping between them screws with your muscle memory.

 

[ajlelectronics]

If I don't do this at least once every trip, then I'm not driving an automatic...
Probably be alright once you get used to it, but swapping between them screws with your muscle memory.

Which is why you tuck your left leg out of the way.

 

[My Old Landy]

My Astra was an auto but the Koleos and 90 are manual. I used to do more miles in the auto and usually the first trip out in a manual I would forget to use the clutch when coming to an abrupt halt
The other way around I didn't have a problem. I do miss the auto but I expect my Mrs when she replaces the Koleos next year will go auto.

 

[gt6s]

So what happens when in 30 years time most people can only drive electric vehicles as that's what they HAD to do their test in as the instructors all have newish cars, who will drive all the manual vans and lorries that won't be electric because it just doesn't work for that type of high mileage vehicle?

Would not worry In ten years dead LI batteries will be a HUGE PROBLEM. Bring on Hydrogen.

 

[The Artilleryman]

If I don't do this at least once every trip, then I'm not driving an automatic...
Probably be alright once you get used to it, but swapping between them screws with your muscle memory.

Mondeo is manual, bus was auto.
I had no problems. Only time I did was when I drove RF single decker with a pre selector box and long rod linkages. Once I banged the gear lever across the gate and stamped on the pedal -only to find I'm in neutral in the middle of a junction.

 

[the snooper]

Contreversial

but ban them from learning to drive

if they don’t want to learn “stick“ or reversing a car, send em across the pond ....

Stick ? Are you American now parm

 

[mike os]

What makes you think you will be allowed a personal vehicle or to drive in 30 years?

 

[Morrisman]

possible but i never learnt auto should be simple enough

d1 and excelerate and brake no clutch
but theres d1 and d2 ?
r is simple enough
so is p for park

And then you have the “manual’ setting, like my dads auto has, shove the lever back and forth to make racy gear changes. Not that he has ever used it, but I had a play with it last week.

 

[Morrisman]

Never had an issue left foot braking. It's just practice.

All 3 of my autobox hot rods were left foot braking, because the steering column went between the pedals.

 

[The_Yellow_Ardvark]

We have new cars at the office as pool cars.
Hybrid ones at present. You have to have 90 minutes with a local instructor to be allowed to drive them.
The reason is you can drive them as an automatic or as a 4 speed manual.
When I did my test I was told, by 2030 you will be asked to take a lesson to see if you can drive an all electric car.

Oh what fun that will be, not.

 

[MetalMonkey]

Which is why you tuck your left leg out of the way.

Try telling that to my left leg!

 

[julianthegypsy]

Surprisingly, I didn't! Left foot was too busy with the "D" button! As I recall, the handbrake was released by a foot button too but I can't remember where it was!

Yes but how many times did your left foot hit the brake propelling everything through the windscreen on that way home

 

[sako243]

My lexus has D5-4-3-2-L - M -N - R -P

plus a "Snow" button, and a "sport" button, and an "eco" button.
Basically put it in D5, it's an auto. Or use the gear stick to change gear 1-5 (or at least, hold the gearbox to that gear as maximum)
M means I can use the flappy paddles to change gear 1-5

"Snow" holds the gearbox in 3-4-5 only.
"Sport" means that it holds the lower gears longer for better acceleration.
"Eco" it changes earlier which reduces acceleration, but also saves fuel. (So I'm told, don't use that one)

6-speed manual gearboxes are simple, in comparison.

You think that's complicated...

My Range Rover has P(ark), R(reverse), N(eutral), D(rive), S(port). Sport holds the gears longer, then there's the flappy paddles behind the steering wheel allowing you to manually select any of the 8 gears in Drive or Sport. Hold down the up paddle to re-engage auto mode. Then you have high and low to rinse and repeat. On top of all that you have Road, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Sand, Rock Crawl and Mud Ruts on the traction control which adjusts the throttle response, braking, allowable gears and suspension height / stiffness.

I learned to drive an auto in Canada. Got it, my buddy explained the gearshift. Told me to put my foot on the brake, put it in drive, let go of brake. Is that it? I said. Yep. Cool. Drove it home. Nice little Dodge Dakota pick up. I can't imagine explaining a manual to a Canadian who'd only driven autos quite as quickly, which is presumably why tests passed on a manual are valid for autos, but not the other way round!

First time I properly drove an auto was a Disco 4 on a demo day at Gaydon, pointed out to the engineer / driving instructor that hadn't driven an auto before. He replied: "left pedal slow, right pedal fast - oh and you need to keep your foot on the brake to start it".