More Than Two in Five People Support Reforming Irish Driving Licence Rules as Electric and Automatic Vehicle Ownership Grows
New research from Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva) explores people's attitudes to learning to drive in electric vehicles and their views on Ireland's current driving licence rules for automatic cars
- 42% support changing driving licence rules so that drivers who learn in automatic cars, such as electric vehicles (EVs), can drive all vehicle types
- 65% believe learning to drive in an EV is different from learning to drive in a petrol or diesel car
- The main differences people notice are driving controls, such as instant acceleration and braking (54%), range and charging (52%), and vehicle handling (46%)
- One in four (25%) say these differences affect how learners prepare for their driving test
More than two in five people (42%) support reforming Ireland’s driving licence rules to allow drivers who learn in automatic cars, such as electric vehicles (EVs), to drive all vehicle types, according to new research* from Aviva Insurance Ireland DAC (Aviva).
The Aviva research, conducted among 1,000 people nationwide, explores people's experiences of learning to drive, their views on learning in electric vehicles, and their attitudes to current licensing rules, as electric and automatic cars become more common on Irish roads.
Licence rules and the growing shift to automatic cars
Under current Irish rules, drivers who pass their test in an automatic car, including an EV, are only licensed to drive automatic vehicles. To drive a manual car, they must pass a separate driving test in a manual vehicle.
This issue is emerging at a time when automatic vehicles dominate new car sales in Ireland, driven largely by the growing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles. Around three quarters of new cars sold in Ireland in 2025 were automatic**, and it has been projected that one in four driving tests will be taken in an automatic vehicle***.
Views on reform are mixed. While 42% support change, more than a third (35%) remain undecided, suggesting many people are still weighing up considerations around safety, flexibility, and long-term choice.
Most people say learning in an EV feels different
Beyond licensing rules, nearly two thirds (65%) say learning to drive in an EV is not the same as learning in a petrol or diesel car. Just one in five (20%) believe the experience is broadly the same.
Those who notice a difference most often point to how EVs respond when driving (54%), how charging and battery range need to be managed (52%), and how the vehicle handles on the road (46%). One in four (25%) say these differences can affect how learners prepare for their driving test.
The research shows that people have different views on whether licence rules should change as electric and automatic vehicles become more common. While many support reform, a large proportion of people remain undecided, highlighting that this is an evolving issue. It’s important for learner drivers to understand that if you pass your test in an automatic car, including an electric vehicle, your licence only permits you to drive automatics. At Aviva Driving School, we make sure learners understand these rules clearly from the start so they can make the choice that best suits their needs, both now and in the future.
Commenting on the findings, Mike Kavanagh, Manager of Aviva Driving School said:
For more information on Aviva Driving School, visit here.
*according to research of 1,000 adults by 3Gem Research & Insights, 2026
**according to data from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), as reported here.
***according to an AA Driving School industry study, as reported here.