AIBU to go automatic only for daughter's driving lessons?

My whole family is insured on each other's cars, which has been very handy for all sorts of situations, esp. since we had DC. I think being able to drive "any" car if circumstances arise doesn't really have a downside, so you might as well get the full license.

My DS is about to switch from manual lessons to automatic (if we can find an instructor!). He really dislikes changing gears, even though he's had enough lessons that it's not much of a challenge anymore - unless he's trying to start on an incline. He's not a keen driver, wasn't even excited to start lessons, so we're happy with the path of least resistance to give him his independence!

From a safety standpoint, driving an automatic seems to make so much sense as there's less to think about and you don't get those little lurches when changing gear at low speed.

We have an EV and a manual car and DH and I both vastly prefer driving the EV, especially on long drives. We also always choose an automatic when hiring a car abroad as it feels safer to have one less thing to think about.

Automatic cars (non electric) use more fuel than manual.

My son did automatic only and passed really quickly. I’ve got a friend who is a (manual) driving instructor and asked her advice beforehand. She also said should he want to join the police or whatever or need a a manual licence for any other reason in the future, it’s usually very straightforward to take the manual test once you can drive.

@Tangerinenets Were you insured to drive her car? Often people don’t think of this.

It's fine, and probably pretty reasonable in 2025 (the car guy in me dies a little more as I say it...)

She could always upgrade to manual later, maybe at her expense, but it's highly likely she'll never need to or care to.

This is me! Auto only licence and I’ve never had any regrets at all. I’ve had no issues hiring a car for Euro/US holidays. I even hired an auto van when I moved. There has never been a moment when I’ve thought ‘if only I had a manual licence’.

Your DD is very young and will spend most of her adult life in a world where manual cars are vanishingly rare. It would already be apparent by now if she had a passion for racing vintage gull wings…

The only negative I have experienced is the fact that a surprising number of people seem to take my choice as a personal insult and can be surprisingly adamant that their way is much better 👀. They seem to find it annoying that I can zoom around in my car to my heart’s content without having proved myself worthy first.

None of the ‘pro-manual’ talking points actually hold much water and my opinion is that it’s a very outdated mindset.

DD is autistic and I drive an Automatic, we’ve been talking about this recently and think automatic would be best for her to learn in

Both mine learned in a manual. I think it’s important to know how to drive one. Years ago my friend got really really ill and collapsed. Being fairly near the hospital I took her and drove her car. We were told the ambulances were really busy that night and it was good I brought her in, probably saved her life. If I had learned in an auto it could have been a different story.

also some jobs require a full uk driving licence. An automatic licence is not a full licence.

It's not being phased out as in all the petrol stations will vanish. It's just that new cars won't be built with a petrol option. Petrol cars will be an option in the second hand market for as long a people want them and the fuel stations provide it.

Also, the manual cars aren't going to vanish. It's just that more new cars are being made as manuals. The second hand market is still there, and I honestly haven't ever bought a car that was less than 6 years old, more commonly they're at least 10. I know a lot of people who are similar, because we prefer to buy outright rather than lease or go for finance.

So in 10 years time, the people like me will be buying today's new cars, or maybe older, as second hand. And there's still a lot of manuals in that pool.

I’m dyspraxic. I really struggled learning to drive. I had about 80 hours of lessons. I really struggled with gear changes and hill starts. I’m glad I persevered with the manual though. It’s made me a much more competent driver and ensured I wasn’t on the road before I was actually ready.

DD is 11 (DS is 13 but has epilepsy) and we are wondering whether when we come to need our next new car, we go for automatic or manual. I have a feeling by the time she's 17 even places where now it's mainly manual car hire will be automatic - and even more so by the time she's able to rent a car i.e. 25 or so.

We are hiring a car this summer and while I'm fine with RH drive manual, DH doesn't like it, so we are getting an automatic.

My eldest is 14 and I’ll probably go automatic too. I drive an automatic do easier to practice. Fewer manuals around. They can always do a manual test later if want to. My friend was telling me his HGV lorry is now an automatic.

I get the point that manual gives more options but it’s a time/ cost balance snd at £40-50 ph to learn an additional skill they may never use.

If there aren't factors such as dyspraxia in the equation, I'd still default to a manual licence.

Long term the benefits of being able to drive manual will diminish, but the people most likely to struggle for choice in the next few years are younger drivers with lower incomes.

There are many cars from the 2000s-2010s still on the roads. There would have been more from the 1990s without the scrapage scheme from the late 2000s. We're a long way from manuals being fully replaced by automatics/ electric.

Ah, petrol is being phased out in 2030, not 35. I've got four years to save up!

There’s loads of horse boxes that are auto! Very many large multi horse ones!

Id probably just go auto if you have enough for auto cars for dc to drive. Cheap little petrol cars as autos use more fuel and are slow. DD2 had a Manuel car in 2012 and that’s the last one in this house. She’s not going to have manual again. Far too much hassle in London. DH has had various 911s and current Cayman is auto. Yes, electric cars can be a bit quick but only if you are trying! You can poodle if you want to. You learn this by being mature about driving. I find auto easier but until mid 80s would never have considered one. These days they are pleasant to drive.

I think it is much safer to learn on an automatic, so your whole focus is on the road and not the gearbox.

it is a fundamental principle of teaching to avoid cognitive overload and only teach one thing at a time. But this is ignored in driving.

Once someone has practised for a year or two and is totally competent and confident, learning gears (if you want to) is incredibly easy.

The only issue is the cost of extra lessons and an extra test.

Insurance is cheaper if you have a manual licence, even if it’s for an automatic car.

I have an automatic love it - have had it 8 years now love it - however over the past years i have had manual aswell, i got my license as a manual. My husband has changed jobs and we now have a farm part time. Most machinery is manual, tractor is manual and so is the jeep to pull a trailer or horsebox. If my licence was automatic there be no way i would be able to drive any of them and therefore not able to help my husband where required. Manual is still predominately out there and severely limiting for the future i just wouldn't do it - go for manual test and you are covered for best of both

If your dd started on manual and was struggling then it might make sense, but I'd at least start out with manual and see how she gets on. A lot of people don't find the gear changes that difficult.

I am team manual

What if she gets a job & needs to drive a company vehicle in the future ?

Or drive abroad

Or drive classic / vintage

My DD passed her driving test this year on an automatic car. Her original lessons were on a manual car, but she struggled with them, failed her test & gave up driving for a year.

As I felt not driving would limit her career choices I helped her buy a small automatic VW and she absolutely loves driving now. She has gained so much confidence since passing and that to me is the main thing.

"In ten years, I believe we’ll hardly see any manual cars on the road".
I think that's massively optimistic. There's millions of homes without driveways or their own parking space, they will probably be hanging on to their manual petrol cars for as long as possible. I will probably have to get a new manual car in the early 30's as I don't have a parking space to charge an EV.