Compare cheap automatic car hire at airports and cities worldwide. See who can drive an automatic and how to book one early.
Many travellers expect a hire car to have a manual gearbox, particularly in Europe. Automatic cars are now far more common, but hire fleets still lean towards manual models, so an automatic needs a little more planning. This guide explains how automatics differ from manuals, who is allowed to drive one and how to book with confidence.
Cheap Automatic Car Hire
Find the cheapest automatic car hire offer today. Some of our most popular locations for pickup include Majorca, Alicante, Malaga, Nice, Canary Islands, Faro Airport, Barcelona, Rome and Geneva Airport.
Spain, Italy, Portugal, Greece, Cyprus, Germany, Croatia, Turkey and France offer plenty of choice for those who require an automatic with numerous pickup locations.
Outside of Europe, there are of course plenty of popular destinations within countries such as the USA, Australia, South Africa, Canada etc.
Automatic Car Hire UK
There are numerous options within Ireland and the United Kingdom for pickup such as Heathrow Airport, Stansted, Gatwick, Luton, London City Airport, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, automatic car hire Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Bristol, Dublin, Belfast, Leeds, Cornwall, Sheffield and more.
Compare Automatic Car Rental Prices
Find the cheapest automatic car rental quote using our comparison engine. Enter your exact pickup location and dates, then filter for automatic transmission so every result matches your needs.
Compare the total cost rather than the daily rate alone, including insurance excess, fuel policy and additional driver charges. Which? reports from reader complaints that the cheapest headline prices are the most likely to lead to problems and hidden charges.
Automatic vs Manual Transmission
An automatic gearbox changes gear for the driver, so there is no clutch pedal and no gear lever to operate while driving. That leaves the driver free to concentrate on unfamiliar roads, traffic, road signs and, in the UK and Ireland, driving on the left.
| Feature | Automatic | Manual |
|---|---|---|
| Pedals | Accelerator and brake | Accelerator, brake and clutch |
| Gear changes | Made by the car | Made by the driver |
| UK licence needed | Any category B licence, including category B auto | Category B licence without an automatic-only restriction |
| Availability on hire in Europe | Smaller share of fleets, so book early | The standard choice |
| Typical hire price | Often higher | Often lower |
| Fuel use | Older automatics used more fuel, and the gap has narrowed on newer models | Historically lower |
How an Automatic Gearbox Works
Most conventional automatics use a torque converter, a fluid coupling that takes the place of the clutch. A planetary gear set provides the gear ratios, and a hydraulic system, managed electronically in modern cars, selects the right ratio for the speed and load. Dual-clutch and continuously variable transmissions reach the same result by different means.
Why Automatic Cars Are Becoming More Common
Automatics have been the norm in the USA for decades, while Europe adopted them later. JATO Dynamics data reported by Motor1 shows that automatics rose from 5% of mainstream-brand new car sales in major European markets in 2001 to 63% in 2024. For premium brands the figure reached 97%.
The UK follows the same pattern. SMMT figures reported by Autovista24 put automatic gearboxes on 73.1% of new cars registered in 2023. The same report shows that automatic-only licences rose from 5.1% of new UK licences in 2012-2013 to 20% in 2023-2024, a change its analysts link partly to electric cars, which use a single-speed transmission and need no gear changes.
Who Can Drive an Automatic Hire Car
In the UK, a driver who passes the practical test in a manual car receives a full category B licence that covers both gearbox types. A driver who passes in an automatic receives category B auto, which GOV.UK describes as covering automatic cars only. On a photocard licence the restriction appears as code 78. Any category B holder can therefore hire an automatic, but a manual needs a licence without that restriction.
Some rental companies check a driver’s licence record before handing over the keys. UK drivers can generate a check code through the GOV.UK share driving licence service. For trips abroad, GOV.UK’s driving abroad guidance explains which documents are required, including whether an International Driving Permit applies. Drivers new to automatics can read the RAC guide to driving an automatic before they travel.
Booking an Automatic Rental Car
Manual is the standard in much of Europe, so automatic hire cars are in shorter supply. Demand also raises prices during school holidays and the summer.
Can I Find Automatic Car Hire Near Me?
Yes. Enter your location in the booking form to see current automatic offers. Airports and large cities usually have the widest selection.
Automatic Car Hire FAQs
Can I hire an automatic car in France?
Yes, as long as you reserve early. Demand is highest at Nice Airport, Paris CDG, Toulouse and Carcassonne.
Can I hire an automatic car in the UK?
Yes. Automatics are widely available in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Can I hire an automatic car in Italy?
Yes, but manual cars are the standard, so availability depends on how early you book. Demand is highest in Rome, Milan, Naples, Sicily and Sardinia.
Can I hire an automatic car in Portugal?
Yes. Faro, Lisbon and Porto all offer automatics, although manual cars are still the norm, so book ahead.
Is an automatic car easier to drive than a manual?
Many drivers find it easier because there is no clutch or gear changing to manage. Ease also depends on what you are used to driving at home.
