The 2020s have seen a distinct shift in the types of cars that are being bought and driven around, with the previously ubiquitous manual petrol or diesel car giving way to hybrid and battery-electric vehicles.

This means that, particularly given that new petrol and diesel cars are set to be phased out by 2030, a growing number of younger learner drivers are likely to take their first lessons in an electric car.

In some ways, the lessons a driving instructor will provide will be very similar; the Highway Code does not change based on the fuel source for your car, after all. However, there are likely to be some significant changes that it is important to keep in mind.

Almost all electric cars and most hybrids have a single gear; they effectively act like a car with an automatic gearbox, with no clutch pedal and no stalling.

This means that, if you pass your driving test in an EV, you will not be licensed or legally allowed to drive a car with a manual gearbox.

The positive side of this is that if you have no plans of driving a manual car, you do not need to worry about clutch control, which can make passing the test significantly easier. As long as you have no plans to drive a classic car or a (currently) cheaper used car, this may not be an issue.

There are some other differences as well; EVs are infamous for accelerating quickly and smoothly, which can take some drivers used to petrol cars by surprise.

On the other hand, the sensations that come with regenerative braking require some practice in order to accurately judge stopping distances.

They are also far quieter due to the relative lack of engine noise. This can help some drivers focus on driving, although others prefer to have a mechanical awareness of the car and how it is handling various manoeuvres.