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AIBU?

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Original poster

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

316 replies

whiteroseredrose · 10/11/2024 18:54

DD is 21 and has not yet learned to drive. The plan is to learn next summer when she finishes university.

Problem is that DH and I both have hybrid cars that are automatic. I couldn't find a hybrid manual car as they probably don't exist.

Rather than have DD take lessons in.a manual car with either no practice in between or practice in our automatics, take that test and then maybe do a 'conversion' at a later date.

Would that make sense?

OP posts:
Motherhubbardscupboard · 10/11/2024 19:03

Although you can't convert, you'd have to retake the test

Motherhubbardscupboard · 10/11/2024 19:02

It's sensible. DC1 learned in a manual, DC's 2 and 3 in an automatic. We will never buy a manual again and in a few years all cars will be automatic. Ok they might not be able to hire a van for a while, but that's about the only disadvantage, and it's much safer and easier.

SoupDragon · 10/11/2024 19:01

I think it's far better to learn to drive in a manual. Why limit the cars she can buy?

Motomum23 · 10/11/2024 19:01

It will be much harder to convert to a manual after passing in an automatic.

missmollygreen · 10/11/2024 19:01

I would still do a manual test. Why limit yourself?

There are going to be a significant number of manual cars available for a very long time still.

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"

Also almost all vans are manual.

drippingtapp · 10/11/2024 18:59

At 21 I would expect her to be making this decision independently tbh.

JanefromLondon1 · 10/11/2024 18:58

Ale truck 😂

Electric.

Fireworkwatcher · 10/11/2024 18:58

We are a few months away from
DS being 17 - the plan is he learns to drive in a manual and practices in our automatics . I guess he will take longer to pass but think the flexibility is useful in

Thepurplepig · 10/11/2024 18:58

It is a basic life skill. Electric cars are never going to replace combustion engines no matter how much governments say otherwise. She needs to learn to drive manual. Automatic cars are more expensive. Unless you are going to buy her a newer car, her choice of second hand first car will be very limited.

JanefromLondon1 · 10/11/2024 18:58

All ale truck cars are automatic so unless she's going to be getting an older model car it's pretty pointless these days. DS only learnt in a manual because he needs to be able to drive a van and he said a lot are still manual.

Guavafish1 · 10/11/2024 18:58

Important to learn manual… excellent skill

Yellow2024 · 10/11/2024 18:58

I would just do automatic. I can't see any need for a manual license any more

glittercunt · 10/11/2024 18:57

Thing is, if you learn with manual, you don't have to take the whole test a second time.

Ohthatsabitshit · 10/11/2024 18:57

Better to put the effort in now and have the freedom of both.

whatatodoaboutnothing · 10/11/2024 18:56

Yanbu automatics are the way forward and so much nicer to drive
i say that as someone who drove manual for years and years and would never go back now

Purplewarrior · 10/11/2024 18:55

Yeah I can’t see the point of learning to drive a manual now.