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Manual licences continue to drop in Victoria

It’s often deemed “too complex” and “overwhelming”, but there’s another reason young Victorian drivers aren’t learning to drive manuals. And it’s unlikely to change any time soon.

Driving instructor Vezire Zenelovski and learner driver Poppy Patten weigh in on the automatic versus manual debate. Picture: David Crosling
Driving instructor Vezire Zenelovski and learner driver Poppy Patten weigh in on the automatic versus manual debate. Picture: David Crosling

Young Victorians have hit the brakes on manual driving, with four in five now issued an automatic licence.

VicRoads figures reveal that just 15.45 per cent, or 12,722, of the 82,362 licences issued to new drivers last year were manual.

The figures have steadily dropped from 35.21 per cent a decade ago to 23.58 per cent in 2013.

RACV public policy general manager Bryce Prosser said automatic cars were less complex to drive, but all students should have a “wide range of driving experience”.

“Automatic cars are simply more popular,” he said.

“Many mainstream manufacturers have a very limited range of manual models outside of enthusiast models.

“Where they do offer manual vehicles, they are usually at the extreme base of the range, and they often only hold limited stock of such models.”

Driving instructor Vezire Zenelovski, pictured with learner driver Poppy Patten, said most calls she received for driving were for training with automatic cars. Picture: David Crosling
Driving instructor Vezire Zenelovski, pictured with learner driver Poppy Patten, said most calls she received for driving were for training with automatic cars. Picture: David Crosling

Despite sitting an automatic test, Victorian drivers are permitted to get behind the wheel of a manual car once fully licensed.

A-Class Drive Academy instructor Vezire Zenelovski said most calls she received for driving lessons were for training with automatic cars.

“A lot of young drivers feel manual is a lot more complex and they find that quite overwhelming,” she said.

“I’ve had students start with manual lessons switch over to auto for that exact reason.

“Another reason is that they want to feel comfortable moving around with the car before getting used to changing cars.”

Poppy Patten, 21, is likely to buy an automatic car in future. Picture: David Crosling
Poppy Patten, 21, is likely to buy an automatic car in future. Picture: David Crosling

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But Ms Zenelovski said there would always be a place for manual cars.

“Automatic is much more suited to city driving but you definitely need that flexibility for country driving and rough terrain,” she said.

Richmond local Poppy Patten, 21, is hoping to take her licence test soon and said she was likely to buy an automatic car in the future.

“I started learning manual but I found driving in the city pretty rough,” she said.

“All the stopping and starting made it really difficult.

“I’m 50-50 on whether I would like to learn manual later on. Most people I talk to are like me and don’t seem too interested.”

A Department of Transport spokeswoman said: “We want to keep everyone safe on our roads.”

monique.hore@news.com.au

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/manual-licences-continue-to-drop-in-victoria/news-story/7c4c3e503568339103fd53ee5f183578