Police officer applications open to holders of automatic-only UK driving licences

Thames Valley Police (TVP) has widened the eligibility criteria for police officer recruitment by accepting applications from candidates who hold a full UK automatic-only driving licence by the time of formal offer. Prior to this change, applicants were required to hold a manual licence.

Superintendent Cat McKay, Head of Workforce Planning, said:

“This is a sensible and proactive change to our entry criteria. 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. By adjusting our entry criteria, we’re extending opportunities to more talented people who want to serve our communities across the Thames Valley.”

Why we’re making this change:

• Our frontline fleet is already mostly automatic. Over 80% of our response vehicles are automatics, and that proportion will continue to grow as we renew the fleet over the coming years. (TVP fleet data)
• The UK is moving away from new petrol and diesel cars. Government policy confirms no new petrol or diesel cars will be sold after 2030, with all new cars and vans required to be 100% zero‑emission by 2035. That means future new vehicles will, in practice, be automatic to drive.
• Learner trends are shifting towards automatics. Official statistics show automatic car tests rose from around 6% of all tests in 2012/13 to approximately 25% last year, with this trend set to continue.

What this means for applicants:

• Effective immediately, TVP will accept applications from candidates with either a full UK automatic licence or a full UK manual licence for our Police Constable and Detective Constable entry routes, as well as transferees from other forces.
• Information about entry routes and eligibility criteria can be found at tvpcareers.co.uk.