Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Did an automatic solve your driving issues?

99 replies

LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 16:21

Just that really. I have a manual license but hated lessons and never got to the stage of feeling confident and have barely driven since my test a few years ago. My issues are that I'm an extremely anxious driver (although I feel part of that anxiety is justified because there are plenty of crazy and dangerous drivers in the European country where I live), badly coordinated (so changing gears can be stressful and I feel distracts me from the road), and a perfectionist who is not good at persevering with things I struggle with.

My life would be considerably easier and better in lots of ways if I had a car/drove, especially now I have baby DS (though the responsibility of driving him about makes me even more nervous). I had a lesson in an automatic on holiday and though I seem to have forgotten how to steer properly I could see it would be much easier, though I'm not sure it would solve all my problems. I can't take automatic lessons where I live though so I would need to buy an automatic and get DH to.go out with me until I was ready to go it alone.

Did an automatic make a big difference to you? Or wasn't it enough? I'm worried I'm just one of those people that can't do it. Any other suggestions for getting over the fear?

OP posts:
Snowdrop30 · 27/09/2019 16:22

Place marking!

CottonSock · 27/09/2019 16:23

Love mine, although I'm a confident driver. Why don't you hire one for a day?

Choufleur · 27/09/2019 16:23

Someone who I work with has just passed their test on an automatic 1st time. Just couldn't get to grips with gears and clutch.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Driving & parking
TeenPlusTwenties · 27/09/2019 16:26

My DD1, who has dyspraxia, passed first time in an automatic.

I am pretty convinced she wouldn't have succeeded learning at all in a manual. It's like using the 'simplify' option on The Cube. It takes away a whole block of stuff to think about and coordinate, freeing you up to focus on other stuff.

TeenPlusTwenties · 27/09/2019 16:26

ps if you have a full license and owned an automatic car, a driving instructor might be happy to take you out in your own car.

ButterfliesandMoths · 27/09/2019 16:27

I had a few lessons in a manual. Hated it, totally stressed me out to the point of crying and I nearly gave up learning all together. Changed to automatic and loved it. I can fully concentrate on the roads without worrying about clutch & gears. I've been driving for about twenty years now and although I have my nervous days mainly because of the nutters on the roads, I love my automatic.

FrenchFancie · 27/09/2019 16:32

I drive an automatic and only have an automatic licence. I also live in a EU country with crazy drivers but we are so isolated I don’t have a choice about driving.
The auto just gives me fewer things to think about, especially at junctions and roundabouts where indicating is optional for most drivers. I did have manual lessons but found it all a bit much and was never confident. We the. Got 3 months notice to move here so I did whatever was necessary to get on the road.

Charlieiscool · 27/09/2019 16:32

Yes it has been fantastic for me.

Teddybear45 · 27/09/2019 16:33

Yes it made driving easier for me but I am dyslexic and dyspraxic.

apple0pie · 27/09/2019 16:34

I think I have dyspraxia that was never diagnosed and driving is one of those things I have failed to master despite £100's and £100's of lessons.

Also think and automatic would help me so place marking too

Dowser · 27/09/2019 16:37

I had lessons in a manual car and hated it
I’ve driven automatics for 45 years and am a confident driver
I can’t understand why all cars aren’t automatic
It’s so easy

CatFaceCats · 27/09/2019 16:46

Absolutely. I like to think of myself as an intelligent person but I absolutely could not get to grips with gears. I passed my test at 30, and would say I’m a confident driver.

But just wait for all the people to come along and point out that if you only have an auto license you can only have an auto car..... Hmm

Original poster
LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 16:51

TeenPlusTwenties I had assumed a driving instructer wouldn't come in my car for insurance reasons but I will check, thanks.

CottonSock that could be an idea!

FrenchFancie sounds like a similar driving 'style' to here...

OP posts:
Original poster
LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 16:53

I am very clumsy and accident-prone, have poor spatial awareness, and am very uncoordinated. Changing gears on roundabouts or driving round bends is my nightmare. I think eliminating that step would help so much.

OP posts:
IrishMamaMia · 27/09/2019 17:00

I found gears and clutch a bit tricky when learning initially in early twenties and ended up giving up. I was also nervous.
Started learning in an automatic when I was 30 and find it much more straight forward. I'm still nervous but have my licence and enjoy driving now. Automatics are great in busy cities and there are way more around now :)

Original poster
LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 17:02

Sounds like automatics are the answer! Smile ... any tips for overcoming nerves?

OP posts:
blackcat86 · 27/09/2019 17:06

Absolutely love my automatic. I have knee issues so it generally made driving easier. I'm not a natural driver and have poor coordination skills but it certainly feels more relaxed. Dm swears by her automatic and has converted my DH and DB!

maidenover · 27/09/2019 17:09

Ultimately experience is probably the only long term solution to getting over nerves.

A good place to start is somewhere like an empty car park, or my Dad used to take me to a business park at the weekend when it was quiet as it had a road lay out but no traffic.

Haworthia · 27/09/2019 17:10

I could have written your OP. Anxiety, tick! Perfectionism, tick! Crap at gears and clutch, tick!

I passed my test in a manual and didn’t drive again for ten years. By then I had two children and life was difficult - I had to start driving. Driving an automatic is the difference between driving and not driving, for me. I still don’t enjoy it (especially unfamiliar places) but not panicking about gears/stalking means I’m a calmer and safer driver. I can concentrate on the road and not panic at every roundabout.

danni0509 · 27/09/2019 17:10

I drive auto. Could only pass in an auto after years of manual.

I'm still a nervous driver but have had my license a year next month! I get me and my family where we need to be so it's serving it's purpose.

So much easier in an auto.

Deadringer · 27/09/2019 17:15

Op your description of yourself could easily be me. Anxious and uncoordinated, automatic cars got me on the road when I really just wanted to give up. All the new hybrid cars are autos so it won't be a drawback later on. Go for it!

Original poster
LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 17:21

I have found my people! In real life I only know confident calm drivers who just can't / won't accept my issues with it. You lot are giving me hope!

OP posts:
HairyFloppins · 27/09/2019 17:23

My brother finally passed his test after years of trying in an automatic. My dd is learning to drive and she has gone straight to automatic for ease. All electric cars are auto anyway.

Branleuse · 27/09/2019 17:25

Yes, i spent ages trying manual. Failed 7 tests. Went to automatic and i wish id done it earlier. Cut so much stress out and allowed me to concentrate on the road better

ExpletiveDelighted · 27/09/2019 17:26

I've just switched to an automatic after 35 years of happily driving manuals and wow! It is so, so easy, I love it. I am sure it must make a huge difference to those who struggle. I think it may be the best option for my DS who is dyspraxic when he's older. I'd say go for it.

Swipe left for the next trending thread