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  "path": "/lifestyle/cars/police-force-officers-automatic-driving-licence-thames-valley",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-27T16:03:16.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Electric car industry demands nationwide road sign changes to make charging 'visible and simple'",
    "Driving law changes you missed in February - New petrol station rules, car bans and AI road cameras",
    "American cars set for huge UK rollout including 'favourites' GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nA police force has opened a new job application to holders of automatic-only driving licences in a rare move against manual drivers.\n\nThames Valley Police has announced that it will be widening the eligibility criteria for police officers based on the type of licence they hold.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe force will accept applications from candidates who hold a full UK automatic-only driving licence by the time of a formal offer.\n\nPrior to these licence changes, applicants were required to hold a manual licence, although TVP has announced fresh criteria.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIt said this change was being made since over 80 per cent of response vehicles in its fleet were automatic.\n\nThames Valley Police noted that the proportion of vehicles will continue to grow over the coming years as it replaces older vehicles.\n\nThe force also cited the upcoming ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, which will see millions of electric vehicles hit the road from this point.\n\nBetween 2030 and 2035, only electric vehicles and hybrids will be on sale, before only zero emission vehicles are sold from 2035 onwards.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nSuperintendent Car McKay, head of workforce planning at Thames Valley Police, described the move as a \"sensible and proactive approach\" to its hiring criteria.\n\nShe added: \"The vast majority of our existing frontline vehicles are already automatic, and the UK car industry continues to move away from manual gearboxes as technology advances.\n\n\"By adjusting our entry criteria, we're extending opportunities to more talented people who want to serve our communities across the Thames Valley.\"\n\nRecent data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) shows that 470,000 of the 1.8 million driving tests taken in 2024 were in automatic vehicles.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Electric car industry demands nationwide road sign changes to make charging 'visible and simple'\n  * Driving law changes you missed in February - New petrol station rules, car bans and AI road cameras\n  * American cars set for huge UK rollout including 'favourites' GMC, Chevrolet and Cadillac\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIn comparison, only around six per cent of all tests in 2012/13 were taken in automatic vehicles, before soaring to around 25 per cent last year.\n\nAcross England, Scotland and Wales, an increasing number of drivers are taking automatic driving tests, rather than manual.\n\nThe AA suggested that learning to drive a manual car was \"irrelevant to many\", especially as younger people prepare to drive automatic electric cars as they grow up.\n\nEffective immediately, Thames Valley Police will accept applications from candidates with either full UK automatic licences or full UK manual licences for Police Constable and Detective Constable entry routes.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Police force to hire officers with automatic-only driving licences in rare move"
}