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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:

KUGA · 27/09/2019 18:54

Passed test on manual now drive auto.
Never looked back.

Arrowfanatic · 27/09/2019 19:01

I prefer manual to an automatic as i feel like i have more control over the car, however that said the next car i want to buy comes in an automatic as the better engine model so I'll go for that even though I'll miss a manual.

TorchesTorches · 27/09/2019 19:02

I passed my test in a manual but hated driving. My driving instructor was a shit and dapped my confidence. I didn't drive again for 20 years until we had kids and moved to a foreign country where i basically had to drive. I insisted on an automatic, despite my DH making a lot of noise about the extra cost. I love driving my automatic car, it is great!

As someone said upthread, an automatic is the difference for me between driving and not driving. Good luck!

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TheHumanSatsuma · 27/09/2019 19:06

I have a hybrid now, but have driven an automatic for about 15 years because of back and neck problems.

I love them. Modern automatics are great.

DramaAlpaca · 27/09/2019 19:10

My DM tried to learn in a manual for years & years, but just couldn't master changing gear. So she switched to an automatic & passed her driving test first time at the age of 64.

DamnitCharlie · 27/09/2019 19:24

I liked my automatic but it was an older model so was really inefficient, so expensive to run! I'm a crap driver but have had to persevere for years as I live rurally. I've got good at keeping my calm when I stall or have to fish for a gear.

pumkinspicetime · 27/09/2019 19:34

I was very reluctant to switch to an auto but had to as car only available as one. Having done it I wouldn't go back. Changing gears is a thing I don't need in my life it turns out.

rosegoldwatcher · 27/09/2019 19:35

I passed my test, in a manual car, on the second try. I was 34 and had had over a hundred lessons. Despite being officially able to drive I felt no confidence and hated being behind the wheel. I never did 'get' what driving instructor and husband actually meant when they talked about hearing or feeling 'the bite' to indicate when to change gear.
My husband and I taught at the same school and so I didn't need to drive to work. I walked or took a bus everywhere else and managed to avoid driving for the next 10 years.
Then he got a job in another authority and I could avoid my bete noire no longer. We bought me a small automatic (red!!!) and, once I had 'learned' a few routes, I was able to transport myself to and from work.
I can't say that I will ever be a confident driver; I won't drive on motorways and still have to 'learn' the route well before driving anywhere new, but I am a careful one.
So, an automatic car hasn't solved all of my driving worries - but without it I would not drive at all.

Grobagsforever · 27/09/2019 19:49

Absolutely had well over 100 hours lessons in a manual and was hopeless. Tried an auto and passed with ease, so much easier as you can focus on roads. Do it

Original poster

LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 19:55

TopBitch for me, it's not a case of worrying with a manual. It's about struggling with the mechanics of clutch/gear change/steering etc one handed. I really have to concentrate on coordinating those things, which means that I'm not focusing fully on the road while I'm doing them and in the lead up. It reminds me of when I tried piano lessons (can play other instruments ok), I just couldn't coordinate my hands.

OP posts:

Original poster

LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 19:57

That is for for thought alexdgr8 but I think it's dangerous for me to spend so much of my driving thinking about pedals and gear changes, I feel like anything that lets me concentrate fully on the road would be safer.

OP posts:

c3pu · 27/09/2019 19:59

I've been driving 15 years and always drove a manual. I'm a reasonably good driver, and always liked the control you get over clutch/gears in a manual, and snobbishly thought automatic cars were for lazy people who couldn't drive properly

Then when it came to buying my current car a couple of years ago, I could only find one locally in the spec/engine I wanted with an auto transmission... I read up online that the modern (dsg) auto was actually very different to the old ones and decided to give it a test, and I was a convert!

Driving the auto is a lot more relaxing, my left knee doesn't get sore, and generally it's just a lot easier/nicer to drive. The pedals are now just stop and go, coupled with cruise control on a long journey all you need to do is steer the damn thing and it practically drives itself. Crawling in traffic is a totally different experience.

If you have the chance, hire an auto for a day and go for a nice day trip somewhere. See how you like it.

OhamIreally · 27/09/2019 20:06

Do it OP you won't look back. I became so nervous about driving it would not be an exaggeration to say it became a phobia.

After splitting from my husband (who had a big part in developing the phobia due to his criticism of my driving) I bought a small auto car with a fantastic sat nav and set myself driving tasks. I still don't drive that much (live in London) but when I do I zip around confidently now and love it. And there's no horrible bully to shout at me if I make a small mistake.

Original poster

LeeMiller · 27/09/2019 20:07

That's a nice balanced answer rose gold, my aims are modest and I don't care about motorways, I'd just like to be able to do some regular local trips to start with.

OP posts:

CactusAndCacti · 27/09/2019 20:07

I only have an auto licence. I joke that I struggled with the clutch, the gear ,stick, the steering wheel, oh, and yeah, the looking. That latter being what went first.

I can get from a-b, that's all that matters.

forevercurious · 27/09/2019 20:11

After having a license for 6 years and not driving, I brought an automatic and it’s changed my life. I’m not and will never be a confident driver but I can take myself to where I need to be (although I like to only go places I know).

I tried driving a manual for a year and barely drove it - I just had such a phobia of stalling and my anxiety made it into such a big deal. I still don’t like parking and currently my anxiety is making that an issue at times but I’d totally recommend an automatic!

Sunshineonleith12 · 27/09/2019 20:19

I was the same as you OP, passed in a manual but terrified. Having DC3 forced me to do small local journeys but I got an automatic to drive. So much easier (but initially still terrified).
My tips are drive with the good music on (I needed some distraction as I was too tense otherwise).
Weirdly driving with the kids made me less anxious than being alone.
Don't worry about parking, I'd park ages away from my destination in a nice easy space and just walk
Give yourself plenty of time
Stay to local familiar roads initially
Force yourself to drive every couple of days or the fear will return!

Mmmmdanone · 27/09/2019 20:23

Very much yes. I didn't drive for 20 years and found it very very difficult to drive a manual car. It scared me. I got an automatic and immediately felt more confident.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 27/09/2019 20:30

Following, I could have written your post! Have a license, need a car but terrified of driving. Following with interest!

smileylottie87 · 27/09/2019 20:33

I love my automatic! Passed in a manual but never really drove after that, a few years on and I've got an automatic and whilst still a nervous driver I will actually go out in the automatic. Never had a problem with years but once they're taking out of the equation I felt more confident to to be aware of ask of the other aspects of driving without having to worry about the years. Hill starts are now also a breeze! My OH was sceptical and said I wasn't really learning how to navigate driving properly in the automatic but after his car broke down he as driving mine for a while and conceded that actually it's pretty good. Don't think he would make the switch as he likes having years but I live mine. I'd say go for it. Best of luck

wiltingflower · 27/09/2019 20:37

I passed in a manual car a couple of years ago but then had a gap where I didn't drive and lost the confidence I had. I needed a car for work and struggled to get on with a manual car so bought an automatic and I am so happy driving with it now. I wish I bought an automatic sooner.

mbosnz · 27/09/2019 20:43

I learned in a manual, and was a total driving snob - I would never drive an automatic, I liked real driving.

Nope. I'll never drive a manual if I can possibly help it, ever again. Especially over here.

kulaexchange · 27/09/2019 20:45

Yes!!! SO much easier!! I passed first time as an older driver. Go for it!!

SleepyKat · 27/09/2019 20:48

I just bought my first ever automatic, mainly because of ankle issue which means I’m struggling with the clutch. But also hoping dd might finally learn to drive because she has given up with lessons.

Wasn’t sure I would like it. After a 5 min test drive I was thinking why on earth do people drive manuals?

whatswithtodaytoday · 27/09/2019 20:48

You could be me. I passed six years ago but was never confident and when I had a mental health breakdown four years ago I just stopped trying. Now I'm on mat leave and it would be so much better if I could drive. We can't afford to buy an automatic at the moment but our next car definitely will be one.

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