Learning to drive in an automatic car - how many hours?

[whosthis]

Haven't been really frightened by the idea of driving for years and tries 5 hours on the road with a manual car - panic, panic and panic only! - I am very bad at multi-tasking...

Now considering to learn with an automatic car as I heard quite a few friends recommend it as an easier approach. My theory test pass is about to expire in 3 months time.

Just wonder, as I would be very much available for taking classes, how many hours would be realistic to count for a new learner to pass the road test with an automatic car. I live in north London.

BTW, I am 30ish and perhaps it makes learning to drive a bit slow?