{"id":18893,"date":"2026-02-10T11:05:19","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T16:05:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/?p=18893"},"modified":"2026-07-22T05:34:33","modified_gmt":"2026-07-22T09:34:33","slug":"why-fleets-must-act-now-on-the-rise-of-automatic-only-drivers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/resources\/why-fleets-must-act-now-on-the-rise-of-automaticonly-drivers\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Fleets Must Act Now on the Rise of Automatic\u2011Only Drivers"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> &lt; 1<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minute<\/span><\/span> \n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class='resource-header-container' style='position:relative;'>\n\t\t<div class=''><nav aria-label=\"breadcrumbs\" class=\"rank-math-breadcrumb\"><p><span class=\"last\">Home<\/span><\/p><\/nav><\/div>\n        <div id='blog-title'><h1>Why Fleets Must Act Now on the Rise of Automatic\u2011Only Drivers<\/h1><\/div>\n            <img src='https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Blog.png' alt='Learner vehicle' id='blog-header-image' style='width:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position: center;'>                            \n\t\t\t<aside style='max-width:298px;margin-top:62px;' id='mobile-info'>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='blog-info-box'><p class='aside-header'>Posted<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class='aside-info'>February 10, 2026<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='blog-info-box'><p class='aside-header'>Type<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<p class='aside-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\tBlog\t\t\t\t<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class='blog-info-box' id='social-icons'><p class='aside-header'>Share<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/resources\/why-fleets-must-act-now-on-the-rise-of-automaticonly-drivers\/\" id=\"footer-mobile-facebook-link\" title=\"Facebook\" target=\"_blank\" class='aside-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-content\/themes\/holman\/assets\/images\/facebook-share.png\" alt=\"Facebook\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a> <!-- .item -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/resources\/why-fleets-must-act-now-on-the-rise-of-automaticonly-drivers\/\" id=\"footer-mobile-linked-link\" title=\"linkedin\" target=\"_blank\" class='aside-info'>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-content\/themes\/holman\/assets\/images\/linkedin-share.png\" alt=\"LinkedIn\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a> <!-- .item -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:?subject=Why Fleets Must Act Now on the Rise of Automatic\u2011Only Drivers&#038;body=I wanted to share this content from Holman! 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24px;}\n\t\t.case-study-feature:first-of-type{width:100%;justify-content:flex-start;}\n\t\t#case-study-header-title{color:#2C9942;font-weight:500;font-size:14px;padding:0;margin:0;width:100%;}\n\t\t#case-study-header-description{color:#003057;font-weight:500;font-size:14px;padding:0;margin:0;width:100%;}\n\t\t.case-study-feature img{width:45px;min-width:45px;}\n\t\t#case-study-image{object-fit:cover;}\n\t\t.fullscreen{width:100%;height:100%;position:absolute;top:0;left:0;}\n\t\t#form-container-gated{width:101%;height:100%;margin:0 auto;z-index:99;top:0;position:absolute;background-color:rgba(0,0,0,0.8);display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}\n\t\t#form-container-gated #ebook-form{display:flex;flex-direction:column;justify-content:space-between;width:425px;margin:0 auto;border-top:0.5px solid rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.050);box-shadow: 1px 4px 4px 0px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.50);text-align:center;padding:32px;z-index:9999;background-color:white;}\n\t\t#form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 label{text-align:left;font-size:10px;width:49%;font-weight:500;}\n\t\t#form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 label:nth-child(odd):last-child{width:100%;}\n\t\t#form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input, #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input[type=url], #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input[type=email], #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input[type=tel], #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input[type=text], #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 select, #form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 input[type=textarea][type=text]{height:32px;}\n\n\t\t#form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 .wpcf7-submit{margin:24px auto 0;}\n\t\tbody:has(.gated) a#footer-mobile-download-link{display:none;}\n\t\tbody:has(.ungated) a#footer-mobile-download-link{display:inline-block !important;}\n\t\t.ebook-overlay.gated{width:100%;height:100%;position:relative;}\n\t\t@media(max-width:900px){#form-container-gated #ebook-form{width:100%;}.ebook-overlay.gated{min-height:435px;}#form-container-gated #ebook-form .wpcf7 label{width:100%;}#icon-container{flex-direction:column;gap:24px 0;}#case-study-header-title,#case-study-header-description{font-size:12px;}.case-study-feature{width:100%;justify-content:flex-start;}#case-study-image{height:auto;}}\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/style>\n\n\n \n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t \n\t\t<section class='resource-wysiwyg'>\n\t\t\t        \t<div><p>The conversation around EVs usually focuses on the big challenges: charging, vehicle choice, budgets, infrastructure. But there\u2019s another shift happening quietly in the background &#8211; the number of new drivers holding manual licences is declining.<\/p>\n<p>That means the future workforce may not be licensed to drive the ICE vehicles many fleets still expect to operate after 2030-2035. If overlooked, this could create real operational and compliance headaches over the next decade. If the people joining your organisation can\u2019t legally drive your vehicles, you\u2019ve got a challenge on your hands.<\/p>\n<p>For organisations planning to run ICE vehicles into the 2030s, these risks are avoidable with a little early planning.<\/p>\n<h2>Automatic\u2011Only Is Becoming the Default for Young Drivers<\/h2>\n<p>A growing number of new drivers in the UK are choosing to learn and take their test in an automatic. Recent DVSA data shows one in four UK driving tests (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fleetnews.co.uk\/news\/trend-towards-more-automatic-tests-as-ev-adoption-increases\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">around 26%<\/a>) are now taken in automatics, up from just 6% a decade ago.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>EVs are the new norm<\/strong>: learners increasingly expect their first car to be electric, and with EVs being automatic by design, manual skills feel unnecessary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Automatic cars are easier to learn in<\/strong>, especially in start-stop, built-up areas, which means learners can pass their test quicker.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Driving schools are switching to EVs<\/strong>: with some moving towards fully electric learner fleets.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>In other words, the next wave of employees may simply never learn to drive a manual.<\/p>\n<h2>Why This Matters for Fleets Now<\/h2>\n<p>With the UK\u2019s ZEV Mandate ending the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans in 2035, manual licence holders will continue to decline, bringing several challenges for fleets:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Fewer employees will legally be able to drive manual or ICE vehicles<\/strong>, affecting job coverage, scheduling and specialist vehicle roles.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Recruitment becomes harder<\/strong>: A \u201cfull UK licence\u201d no longer guarantees manual entitlement. You may need to specify it in job descriptions, narrowing the candidate pool.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Licence checking becomes more important<\/strong>: mixed fleets create mixed entitlement requirements.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-1\"><strong>Potential future licence reforms<\/strong> &#8211; such as a mandatory six\u2011month minimum learning period &#8211; may add further complexity (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.brake.org.uk\/how-we-help\/campaigning-for-change\/the-change-we-want\/young-drivers-and-gdl\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Brake<\/a>).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Fleets Are Planning Vehicles, but Not Drivers<\/h2>\n<p>Many organisations have an EV roadmap. But how many have asked whether their people can operate the vehicles in that plan. Have you asked yourself:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-2\">Will our workforce still be licensed for our vehicle mix in five years?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-2\">Which roles depend on manual entitlement today?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-2\">How long will manual\u2011only vehicles realistically remain in our fleet?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<p class=\"body-2\">Do our job descriptions and policies reflect future licensing realities?<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2>Where Holman EV Consult Fits In<\/h2>\n<p>Rather than pushing EVs into your fleet before they\u2019re viable, we focus on creating a transition plan that reflects the reality of your operations. <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/electric-vehicles\/\">Holman EV Consult<\/a> reviews your fleet vehicle by vehicle to identify what\u2019s ready for electrification now, what comes next, and what should stay ICE for the time being.<\/p>\n<p>As more new drivers enter the workforce with automatic only licences, our approach helps your fleet evolve smoothly, strategically, and avoiding disruption.<br \/>\nYou don\u2019t need to electrify overnight, but you do need a plan that keeps your fleet aligned with the people who drive it.<\/p>\n<p>Not sure where to start? <a href=\"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/contact\/\">Get in touch<\/a> with our team, we\u2019ll help you shape long term plans that keep your people and your vehicles moving forward together.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n<style>\n\tsection{margin:0;}\n\tp img{display:block !important;}\nsection.resource-wysiwyg{margin:20px 0 0;padding:0;}\nsection.resource-wysiwyg:first-of-type {margin:35px 0 0;padding:0;}\n.resource-wysiwyg p{margin-bottom:16px;}\n.resource-wysiwyg h3{margin-bottom:16px;color:#003057;font-weight:500;}\n.resource-wysiwyg p:last-of-type{margin-bottom:0px;}\n.resource-wysiwyg p img{display:block !important;}\n.resource-wysiwyg img{padding:16px 24px;max-width:40%;display:block;}\n.resource-wysiwyg img.alignright{float:right;padding-right:0px;}\n.resource-wysiwyg img.alignleft{float:left;padding-left:0px;}\n#form-container-gated #ebook-form h2, #form-container-gated #ebook-form h3, #form-container-gated #ebook-form h4{margin-top:0px;}\n@media(max-width:600px){section.resource-wysiwyg:first-of-type{margin:16px 0 0;}.resource-wysiwyg img{max-width:50%;height:auto;padding:8px 12px;}}\n<\/style>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> &lt; 1<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minute<\/span><\/span>","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":18894,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[137,131,1],"tags":[102,116,143,120],"blog-type":[91],"featured":[90],"legacy":[],"topic":[],"class_list":["post-18893","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-electric-vehicles","category-fleet-management","category-uncategorized","tag-blogs","tag-electrification","tag-fleet-management","tag-lifecycle-optimization","blog-type-blog","featured-no"],"acf":[],"permalink_manager":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18893","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18893"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18893\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18910,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/18893\/revisions\/18910"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18894"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18893"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=18893"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=18893"},{"taxonomy":"blog-type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-type?post=18893"},{"taxonomy":"featured","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/featured?post=18893"},{"taxonomy":"legacy","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/legacy?post=18893"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/uk.holman.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/topic?post=18893"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}