A significant number of driving test candidates fail, with automatic car drivers faring worse than those using manual cars. Despite the growing popularity of automatic vehicles, only 38.13% of automatic drivers passed their test last year, compared to 50.66% of manual drivers. The misconception that automatic cars are easier to drive may contribute to this trend.
Why Most Automatic Drivers Fail Their Driving Test
Why Most Automatic Drivers Fail Their Driving Test
"Unfortunately, your driving test is not approved." More than half of all test-takers hear this sentence at the end of their driving test. However, those driving automatic cars hear it more often than those driving manual cars.
– People underestimate how many hours are required behind the wheel, says Ove Lommered from the Swedish Transport Administration.
The number of people taking the test with an automatic car is catching up with those using manual cars. Last year, 132,704 people took the test with an automatic, while 159,326 used a manual. In major cities, automatic transmissions are more common than manual, and vice versa in smaller municipalities.
Even though manual driving tests are still the most popular, automatic tests may soon take over.
– Nowadays, only automatic cars are being produced. So, I believe we will see an increase every year, says Ove Lommered, regional manager for the Swedish Transport Administration's driving tests.
Why Automatic Drivers Fail
However, another trend is visible when looking at last year's driving test statistics. Only 44.96% of all tests were approved. But for those who took the test with a manual car, more than half – 50.66% – passed.
Automatic drivers, however, were only approved in 38.13% of cases – a clear difference.
– I think it's because people underestimate how many hours are needed behind the wheel with an automatic. You get on the road faster, while with a manual, it takes longer, says Ove Lommered.
The statistics may surprise those who believe it's much easier to drive an automatic car. But this thought, or perhaps prejudice, can actually lead to more failures.
– The underestimation is there too, because the car is just as wide and long regardless of the transmission, and you need to have the same awareness of the corners in both.
How to Get a Driving Test Appointment Quickly
As more people choose to take the test with an automatic, while most automatic drivers fail, it leads to longer waiting times for driving tests.
In general, it usually takes a few weeks to get a driving test appointment. The queues are usually longest in major cities, especially during holiday periods. Those in a hurry to get their driver's license should look to smaller towns in the north.
– But cancellations and rebookings happen around the clock, so it's important to check often if you want an appointment, recommends Ove Lommered.