Manual cars 'a dying race' but new drivers are not giving them up
Manual cars are becoming increasingly rare, yet some new drivers still pursue manual licenses. Young women, in particular, are seeking manual licenses to enhance their opportunities in trades. Despite the decline in manual vehicle popularity, there remains a niche interest among certain demographics.
- ▪The Queensland government has seen a significant increase in automatic licenses issued, from about 150,000 a year to over 770,000.
- ▪Manual licenses have dropped from 93 percent at their peak to 79 percent over the same period.
- ▪Young women are increasingly opting for manual licenses to pursue careers in trades such as carpentry and electrical work.
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Manual cars can be hard to find, but new drivers are still earning the licenceBy Owen JacquesABC Sunshine CoastTopic:Driver EducationMon 25 May 2026 at 7:00amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:00amMon 25 May 2026 at 7:00amRoxsy Francis says although friends have chosen to go for an auto licence, she wanted to try for a manual. (ABC News: Owen Jacques)abc.net.au/news/manual-cars-niche-still-popular-for-drivers-licence/106697980Link copiedShareShare articleRoxsy Francis is working very hard to stay calm.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at ABC News (Australia).