Is there any point learning to drive in manual car?

[ScruffyBlankey]

DD will be old enough to start Driving lessons next year. As a society we are moving towards electric cars (these have no gears). Ultimately driverless cars are on the horizon. Is there any point struggling to learn how to use a clutch/ change gears? May as well just learn on an automatic car and make the learning to drive process much easier?

It still really limits your choices of car if you can only drive automatic. I’d make the effort to learn manual.

Definitely learn in a manual. Most people driving electric cars could be decades away.

Definitely learn in manual. It's a good skill to have. Automatic limits your choices for cars and they are more expensive as well.

We put DD1 straight into an automatic as she has dyspraxia. We (felt we) had to buy an automatic for her to practice in.
We are currently minded for DD2 to also learn in an automatic as she also has poor motor skills.

I would agree that for an average co-ordinated person, go for manual as it gives you more flexibility, but if there is any query on coordination then start off auto - you can 'upgrade' later if you really need to.

I stuck at learning to drive a manual because at the moment automatic cars are more expensive. When electric cars become more common place I can drive those too.

Whilst it's true that we are moving towards electric cars i think we'll still have a fair number of years where manual cars make up a good proportion if cars on the road and will still be cheaper to buy than an electric or automatic car.

I just don't see why limiting her will help. You may also find that automatic only instructers charge.more for lessons and have less availability becasue there are fewer of them, this was certainly my experience when I looked into it.

I only drive auto and have never felt limited. Got a courtesy car/hire cars no problem. And never been in any sort of emergency situation where I’d need to drive a manual.

My dd is starting driving lessons in an auto soon. I have found loads of cheap autos to buy as a first car. Plus our main car is an auto.

When we hire a car in the USA they all tend to be auto.

Driving a manual is not hard, is It? Why wouldn't you want to learn how to do it? Why does everything have to be dumbed down?

I much prefer manual transmission, you have much more control over the car.

It's going to be a while before manual cars are phased out in the U.K.

What happens if your DD gets a job in a few years time and is expected to drive manual pool cars or vans? You don't always get a choice over what you drive so best know how to use gears (and a normal handbrake, our DDs extra driving practice was all done using DHs car not mine as it has auto handbrake).

Goodness yes. It's simply the best, as Tina Turner would say. Why wouldn't you?

I agree with those who say learn and pass the manual test. It’s not that hard and it gives you more options. Manuals will still be around for many years to come. I drive an automatic now but can jump into a manual car as necessary and know what to do.

I don’t understand the point made by a PP about having more control over the car with a manual transmission? I don’t see or feel any difference. Plus you can’t stall an automatic! It makes life so much easier driving in a congested city. No hill starts either!

I think learning to drive in a manual is best. It's not that difficult and it gives you a wider choice of vehicles.
I enjoy driving but I am currently in an auto (first auto I have had) it does not feel like you have as much control, it feels like a go cart. I don't enjoy it nearly as much.
Also if something goes wrong with with the gear box, autos are more expensive to fix and generally more expensive to purchase.

You’ll struggle to find an auto owning driving instructor unless you have that kind of car already she can have lessons in.

Thank you all for the advice. I guess what's colouring my judgement is that I found it difficult to master a manual gearbox when I learnt to drive. Maybe DD will prove a more able trainee than I was!

As a total lover of auto cars (I'll never voluntarily drive a manual again, changing gear is a bore) I would also suggest she start to learn in a manual at least. If she doesnt get on with it, then fine, go to auto only, but manual will give her a bit more choice on car/budget etc.

If you want to hire a car your choices will be restricted if you only learn on an automatic.

struggling to learn how to use a clutch/ change gears
It's really not difficult unless you have a physical problem which affects your ability to change gears. Most people drive manuals and they are way more fun to drive.

I drive an automatic and I think it's both easier and safer. My dd will take a test for automatic cars. She can take a manual test later if she wants to.

I much prefer manual transmission, you have much more control over the car

Do you? How?

I have a manual licence but drive an automatic. DH has a manual licence but his dad gave him his old car when he passed his test (which was an automatic) so DH has always driven an automatic.

I would agree that a manual car is less limiting with hire cars and the like but given that people can't wind down a window, put their own lights or windscreen wipers on, or read a map, I can't see that letting the car do the gears for you is a particular problem. One of our cars can be driven in manual mode so I effectively drive it as a clutchless manual.

I have no idea why we are so wedded to manual cars but people will drive automatics as hybrids and electric cars become more commonplace. I'd say do whatever suits you.

As for hire cars, you just need to book in advance. I don't often need a courtesy car but when I have I've been able to get an automatic on all but one occasion.

if something goes wrong with with the gear box, autos are more expensive to fix and generally more expensive to purchase

do things go wrong with the gear box? We've driven automatics for 20 years and never had to replace a gearbox. Other things have gone wrong, but the gear boxes have been fine. The one thing I would say is that you may well go through tyres more quickly but I don't say that with any scientific authority, just a feeling.

Having literally just bought a new car today - I’d say unless you’re rolling in cash, an automatic is going to be more expensive to buy and insure when she passes. It will also limit her choices if she needs a hire car or van to move home or whatever.

It’s a good skill to have. I’d at least start her on manual and if she genuinely can’t cope then she can switch.

I learnt in a manual and passed my test in a manual but apart from my first car many years ago (it had a choke it was that long ago), I have never been in a situation where I've needed to drive a manual. We have a bit of an odd fascination in the U.K. with being able to drive stick shift.

@TonTonMacoute

I much prefer manual transmission, you have much more control over the car

In what way?

certain places /societies may be moving to electric cars but until the prices come down and chargability, battery life gets way better they will not become mainstream
driving a manual car is better than auto in my opinion ,you have better control of gears and dont have to remember to keep your foot on the brake or it creeps forward

I guess what's colouring my judgement is that I found it difficult to master a manual gearbox when I learnt to drive

So did I, but gearboxes have got better since then.

A lot of cars have stop-start now which makes stalling sort of irrelevant (not that I stall my car much anyway but DH sometimes does... it just starts again with no fuss)