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

The hardest part of learning to drive isn't navigating the gears, it's reading the road, noticing hazards, being aware of other road users, being aware of weather conditions etc.
Driving a manual really isn't difficult once you've got the hang of it so for me she would be limiting her choice of future cars and possibly jobs by only having an automatic license for the sake of only a little more effort and application.

I wouldn’t. Autos are more expensive and there may come a time of financial hardship where she may need to get a cheap car but all the cheap ones would be manual.

also, there is so many ‘what ifs’. What if for some reason there’s a medical emergency and the only car around is a manual and you know what the nhs is like with ambulances, but she wouldn’t be able to drive a manual. I know it’s hypothetical, but I just think it’s so much better to have the option than to be limited. Remember, a license often lasts your entire life - so I think it’s best to put that little bit of extra time and money to do a manual.

A lot of people can't seem get their heads around it being fine to have an auto-only license nowadays.

She should get her motorcycle and pilot's license too really. She NEEDS these to retain essential transport flexibility. What if she had to ferry an injured dog to a vet while on a remote island in the Hebrides with only one motorcycle to get to the airfield and the plane's owner is drunk?

Lol OK I'll decide when to change gear thanks, not the car. Automatics were always seen as for less capable drivers.

Given the price different it would make more sense to learn manual. It also helps if she ever hires a car a lot are still going to be manual in a lot of countries for another while.

Ah was just waiting for the old “I drive manual so I have more control” bollocks”. Gosh yes, every day another story of people losing control of their automatics, crashes left right and centre. Those crazy uncontrollable autos! The stats speak for themselves! Oh wait no they don’t. What you mean is wannabe racing drivers like to pretend they are superior because they drive a manual. The arrogance and ego of people like you makes you dangerous.

I'm not disputing that. I've requested autos and been tried to be given a manual when our brand new car broke down in Spain. Not an issue for me, could be for someone who's not socially confident.

Yes - manual driving is neccesary only for "petrol heads" hobbyists. It's a outdated skill from a bygone age - it's like insisting your daughter doesn't leave home without learning how to use a sewing machine.

The Government is literally banning the sale of manual cars in 10 years time. 75% of new cars are already automatic. In many countries they never really had manual cars - they've always been automatic, UK is just a odd place in that way.

Its nothing to do with progress as auto cars have been around for almost as many years as manuals.

Anyone with an ounce of driving prowess prefers manuals as it puts you in control of the vehicle, hence racing cars with a combustion engine have manual gears. It is merely changing demands over the last 10 years or so i.e. lazyness that has created more demand for autos, plus of course moving to electric vehicles.

DD is 17 soon. She will learn in a manual. As well as our cars being manual, second hand cars that she will be able to afford will probably be manual!

I switched to driving automatics in 2010. I agree buying an automatic isn’t a problem but hiring one can be in Europe unless you are happy with a restricted choice of vehicles.

Yeah i am going to tell my youngest to learn in an auto, as not much point learning in a manual these days

Ha! Yeah. Like with my TV - get up and press the buttons on the box, stop using the remote control you lazy people. Kettle? Don’t use that - boil water in a pan on the stove! Stove? Don’t use that - build a fire out of sticks in the garden! Indoor toilet? Lazy fuckers - use the outside loo, better yet a hole in the ground…

She’s 21. What does she want to do?

I was also going to say this about insurance. I drive an automatic but having a full manual licence not only brings my premium down but also that of my DS (who only has an automatic licence) because I am on his policy as an additional driver.

I passed in a manual but now drive an automatic, but if automatic lessons had been more readily available and affordable when I took my test I would have done them. Automatic driving is so much less effort and stress, especially for a learner. As for people saying it’s good to have the option, at face value yes, but apart from if you need it for work, I cannot think of a scenario where you would need to know how to drive a manual car. I think it’s been drummed into us to think it’s ‘proper’ driving, but in reality driving is just getting from A-Z, why not do that more easily and more efficiently?

I have a friend who has a general licence but only likes to drive automatic. The garage here couldn’t find her an automatic as a courtesy car. They aren’t as ubiquitous as this thread suggests.

I have a manual licence but haven’t driven one for years, ever since I first tried an auto I wondered why I didn’t do it before!

Yes, years ago they were harder to buy but now there are loads, I recently bought a car and there was no shortage of used autos in the type I wanted. I ended up choosing a second hand EV and am so glad I did, next step up from auto is the one pedal driving that EVs allow.

Very few people used to driving an automatic would ever dream of going back to a manual. I haven’t driven one for 14 years now despite holding a manual license. It’s as easy to buy or hire an automatic as a manual and I can see no reason why having an automatic license would disadvantage anyone.

A manual is a proper car. An auto is for lazy people. Sadly thats the way its going.

I disagree. Learn a manual and you can always drive an automatic. Learn an automatic you still can't drive a manual. Are you going to buy her a hybrid then? My sons just got his license and his budget fur a car is £3k - and that means old manuals.

I’ve never driven someone else’s car, or been asked to, in an emergency. What are these emergencies that cause you to need to drive someone else’s car and how frequently do they crop up?

Yes! This is absolutely the way to go. 75% of new cars sold in UK are automatic. Soon it will be 99%. Electric cars don't even need gears.

I’d say automatic. I have a manual licence and haven’t driven one in years. Also I killed my first gear box over a year or so. I think
most cars will be electric in years to come anyway.

You can drive vans under 3.5 tons on a normal licence unless they’ve got over a certain number of seat (that I can’t remember - maybe 9?) then you’d need a C1.