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Driver's license trends: Manual licenses decline as younger drivers opt for automatic

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Stick Shift, Not Stalling: Why a Teen is Bucking the Auto-Only Trend

"It's a full life-changer for me. It's a big accomplishment in my life. I nearly went auto, but I'm thrilled that I stayed with a manual."
— Roxsy Francis, after passing her test

The Story

Eighteen-year-old Roxsy Francis has done something her friends largely haven't: she passed her manual driving test. While most of her peers are opting for the simpler automatic license, Francis chose the three-pedal path—and her decision is part of a growing, counter-intuitive trend among young women in Australia.

A Declining Skill

Manual license uptake is in steep decline across Australia. According to Queensland Government data, automatic-only licenses have risen from just 7% of all car licenses issued (roughly 150,000 annually) 23 years ago to 21% today (over 770,000 annually). Over the same period, manual licenses have fallen from 93% to 79%.

The shift in new car sales is even more pronounced:

  • In the year 2000, 60% of new cars sold were automatic.
  • Today, approximately 99% of new vehicles sold are automatic or electric.
  • The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reports fewer than 4,000 new manual vehicles sold nationally since the start of 2026, compared to over 359,000 automatics.

As FCAI CEO Tony Weber put it: "Mainstream Australians are not buying manuals anymore."

Why Learn Manual?

Despite the overall decline, there is a niche resurgence. Francis's instructor, Kerry Turner, reports that young women are increasingly seeking manual licenses to pursue trade apprenticeships—where a ute or work vehicle is often a manual.

Retired instructor Greg Williams, who observed the shift toward automatics in urban areas like Brisbane, still sees the appeal: "I think it's fun. You've got a clutch, you've got a gear shift, you've got gears and acceleration pedal and all that."

RACQ researcher Andrew Kirk notes that the market itself is the driving force: almost all new vehicles sold in Australia are now automatic or electric. Electric vehicles typically have no transmission at all.

The Regional Divide

While urban areas are overwhelmingly automatic, regional and farming areas still see higher manual license uptake. For those working in agriculture, mining, or trades, the ability to drive a manual remains a practical necessity—making the manual license a strategic choice for young workers like Francis.

A Full Life-Changer

For Roxsy Francis, the decision to stick with manual wasn't just about practicality. Passing her test in a manual vehicle represents a milestone she nearly missed out on. Her story highlights that in a world of automated convenience, some still choose the skill, the control, and the accomplishment of a stick shift.