AIBU to think DD might as well learn to drive on an automatic car?

All this talk about her hiring vans, can you do that on a modern driving licence? I passed my test decades ago and can drive all sorts but I don’t think you can if you pass now.

I live in Australia no one drives manual. It's not even a thing here.

Doesn’t really make a difference these days, OP. Yes- manual license gives her more options right now, but automatics are becoming more and more popular and if electric becomes more mainstream then a manual license will be redundant.
I have a manual license just because that’s what you did in my day, but I’ve not driven a manual (other than hire cars/borrowed cars) for almost a decade. I love automatics. The first time I drove one I couldn’t believe how easy they were and why I hadn’t done it sooner.
I guess it depends on your daughter too. Manual would be better to pass in, but if she’s not feeling very confident about learning to drive then automatic might be the better option for her. A license is better than no license at all.

Driving is a basic life skill. Not driving a manual. Automatics are ten a penny now and have been for years. Never had a problem purchasing or hiring them in the UK. And in most foreign counties they are the standard.

I only have an automatic license. No regrets here. DP drives auto if I ever had to use his car (he's had a manual license for 7 years and has only driven auto for 6 years) so if I ever have to use his car it's fine. I don't know any of my family who drive a manual either tbh. I managed to find a first automatic car for 2.6k and it's done me perfect for 3 years no problems etc. if she plans to get a newer or hybrid car, there all mostly automatic these days. DP only did a manual license as he opened a business that required driving a manual van as they're all mostly manual but even now there's plenty auto ones!!

Completely false. In most countries automatics are the norm. The UK is very much the odd one out. Automatics are often cheaper abroad as they are standard. Always hire an automatic in the uk and have for years, never had any problem and the price difference is negligible.

Insurance company, Admiral, claims that the average premium for automatic license holders is 56% higher than manual license holders, partly due to automatic drivers showing a 46% higher claim frequency www.mcclarroninsurance.com/news/automatic-cars-and-increase-in-insurance-premium/#:~:text=Insurance%20company%2C%20Admiral%2C%20claims%20that,a%2046%25%20higher%20claim%20frequency.

I've googled this based on something I previously saw that stated driving an automatic doesn't necessarily increase your insurance but only being able to does. Hugely. Don't limit anything like this if you're able.

But in proportion, they are. Statistics show approximately 70% of cars on the road are manual, 30% automatic. So more than twice the number of manuals than automatics.

Well naturally that's a given as automatics haven't been around as long as manuals but that doesn't make them unusual sights on the road. Nor does it explain why so many posters think manual driving is an essential skill because at some point the person driving might need to hire a car or van when those things are perfectly easy to do for automatic drivers.

I agree with you, I won't insist my kids learn manuals. I haven't driven one in ..oh, good 20 years. Automatics are all over. I also travel a lot and haven't had issues renting automatics anywhere.

I passed in a manual but have driven automatic cars for years. DS is learning in an automatic and doing an automatic test. The majority of his friends are also doing automatic only too. I don’t believe it will restrict him in the future. It’s easy to hire an automatic both in the UK and abroad, and like a pp said, you wouldn’t be insured on someone else’s car to drive it in an emergency anyway.

Why doesn't she buy a manual to practice one as she will need a car when she passes anyway.

I have an automatic shes learning to drive a manual. Work cars etc she needs to know both

I would learn in a manual to give flexibility.

They're definitely on their way out, but a lot of hire cars here and abroad are still manual, so that would be my worry.

She can still practice in your car at steering, manoeuvres and parking.

But in proportion, they are. Statistics show approximately 70% of cars on the road are manual, 30% automatic. So more than twice the number of manuals than automatics.

Turning to driving tests, 81% of tests were manual tests compared with only 19% being automatic tests. So four times as many people taking their test in a manual compared with automatics.

Yes, the statistics show an increasing trend of automatic tests and automatic cars, but we're still many, many years away from the statistics reversing to where the vast majority of tests are automatic and the vast majority of cars are automatic.

Our 17yr old is insisting on doing a manual test mostly because of peer pressure from petrol head friends. I really don't think it necessary, even artic lorries have been autos for decades now!
The only benefit i can see is possibly car hire abroad/classic car ownership.
But strongly suspect the driving licence itself is in its death throes - 20 years time I think we will just summon a driverless uber on an app, no need for car ownership at all…

I drive an automatic (passed in manual 30 years ago) DH an electric. We have just started lessons and is learning manual. There’s a lot more instruction for availability around here in a manual and it just gives her more options. We think it’s useful to learn manual but to each their own. She will have my car when she passes.

Manual cars will still be with us for the next 25 years or so at least. Only learning in an automatic means they'll be limited as to buying their cars and also limited if they ever need to rent a car or van.

I understand the theory as most new cars will be automatic within a decade or so, but second hand ones are still pretty rare (compared with manuals) and more expensive, so unless the OPs' DD will be leasing a brand new one when they pass their test, they may struggle to find a second hand automatic to buy, and that will be the case for many years to come.

We're many years away from the "pivot point" where there will be more automatic than manual cars. Given a car on the road today typically lasts an average 13/14 years with well driven/well maintained ones expected to reach around 20 years, there's a lot of years left (10-20 easily) where there'll be more of a choice/range of manual/petrol cars than automatics.

YANBU

Third party, probably. If you have comprehensive insurance on your own car.

But that is just you. I married a man with three classic cars that all have manual gearboxes. I would have missed out if I couldn’t drive any of them.

If someone is very eager and motivated to drive, with great awareness and coordination skills, it makes sense to try manual and see how it goes. If someone is learning slightly later, not that keen, maybe nervous about driving, or just wanting to be done with it, the automatic is an easier option and she will get the majority of the value of driving anyway.

Only time it's held me back was when it came to a company vehicle. If I had my time over I'd probably have learned in a manual first but I did it the opposite way around and it was much harder.

Also what happens if you need to drive someones car in an emergency? "Oh sorry, I cant rush you too the hospital, I cant drive a manual" 1) That's not an everyday occurrence. And even if you could drive a manual, would you be insured to drive someone else's?

A few years?? How's that going to happen then? A few decades maybe.

Yeah because once you're 21 you should never seek the advice of...well, anyone.

OP, she needs to learn manual. Why limit her?