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Original poster

Manual after automatic

27 replies

Pleaseme · 29/09/2023 13:08

Getting a promotion at work, which is good, I have to go do a drivers assessment before getting insured on company vehicles and it’s manual. Not driven a manual for two years. Would you hire a manual for a day and tootle around in it, getting all the potential gear crunches/ embarrassing stalls out the way first?

If it makes a difference I’m in a very male industry and would be hearing about it forevermore if I made an arse of it.

OP posts:
PPQ123 · 29/09/2023 13:11

Yes I would if you're worried about a load of blokes hanging out of the windows watching you stall in the car park, but tbh I just had a manual on holiday and it only took a few minutes to remember to use the clutch again.

If you're not going to have an audience I wouldn't bother hiring a manual

FrenchandSaunders · 29/09/2023 13:17

You'll prob pick it up almost instantly. I hired a manual in Greece this summer and it was fine. Had an auto for years.

Lizzieregina · 29/09/2023 13:19

I drove a manual in Ireland this summer in an extremely hilly place. First time in 20 years and I had zero problem at all.

Ariela · 29/09/2023 14:14

We have an automatic and a manual. Manual has not been used (apart from 93 miles since last Sept MOT, as has been blocked in on drive), so DH thought it would be an idea for it to be driven a bit before test to see if any issues. I can honestly say I just drove it with no faux pas or issues.. Go for it! You can do this.

Ilovewillow · 29/09/2023 14:33

You could do but I think after a 5 mins you would be fine. I've driven an automatic for years now and was given a manual hire car whilst mine was in for repair and after concentrating for a few minutes it soon came back.

C1N1C · 29/09/2023 14:52

I agree... it's like riding a bike. You'll be fine :)

SoupDragon · 29/09/2023 14:56

If you're at all nervous about it I think it would be worthwhile having a practice run. At least then you'll find out that it's all fine beforehand. I think it would
be more of a case of putting your mind at rest rather than actual practising.

eurochick · 29/09/2023 15:03

We just bought a little runaround for getting to and from the station. It is manual. We have had automatics for the best part of ten years. Neither of us wanted to drive it home from the garage. I got the short straw and honestly after about 200 yards it was fine. I much prefer auto but had no issues going back to manual.

WereYouListeningToTheDudesStory · 29/09/2023 15:03

Don't practice on a rental vehicle. If you scorch the clutch, it'll be considered driver negligence and you'll be liable for the full value of the repair/vehicle, plus any forensic reports needed.

Hapagirl48 · 29/09/2023 15:06

I drove a manual again after 10 years abroad where only automatics were available. It took me a day of too to get back into it. Since you’re being assessed, I would just rent one for a day and get used to it again.

Original poster
Pleaseme · 29/09/2023 21:18

WereYouListeningToTheDudesStory · 29/09/2023 15:03

Don't practice on a rental vehicle. If you scorch the clutch, it'll be considered driver negligence and you'll be liable for the full value of the repair/vehicle, plus any forensic reports needed.

To be fair I don’t think I’d actually damage the car. I drove a manual for years/ learnt to drive in a manual. I’m sure I’d pick it up again quickly but the assessment is only 30 minutes long.

OP posts:
MrsCarson · 29/09/2023 22:32

You'll be fine I learned in a manual (UK) Moved to US and drove automatics for nearly thirty years, only drove manuals on holidays back in UK. Now we have moved back we are using manuals again, it took a couple of slow drives round the block to get used to it.

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/09/2023 22:35

Given you're being assessed, I think it's worth a refresher. If nothing else, it will put your mind at rest so you go into the assessment feeling confident and relaxed.

Oakbeam · 29/09/2023 22:36

I have been driving autos since 1990. I can jump in a manual and drive it with no issues at all.

I think you will be fine.

Mew2 · 30/09/2023 10:46

If your worried go and look around a garage- and test drive a manual vechile- preferably the one you are going to be assessed on... I went to go and test drive for my company car- chose an automatic and had never driven one (was 22)

Louiseb85 · 30/09/2023 10:57

Could you book a refresher lesson with a driving instructor? I'm sure it will come back to you quickly!

Kwasi · 30/09/2023 11:52

I drove a manual last year for the first tIme
in about a decade. Besides absolutely hating changing gear, I didn’t actually have any trouble driving it. I would still hire one for half a day first, though, just in case.

Mystismum · 30/09/2023 14:51

Book an hour with a driving instructor. It'll soon come back to you - or at least it did for me. It took a little while before remembering to use clutch/gears came automatically, but as long as I was concentrating it was fine.

CassieRole · 30/09/2023 14:58

I’ve had an automatic for 10+ years and have never had an issue getting back in a manual. I don’t think you need a lesson, it’s like riding a bike!

Hygeelady · 30/09/2023 15:13

Yes you should! I mainly drive a tesla automatic and then my old smax and sometimes I get in it after not driving it for a few weeks and forget things 🤣 I forget to use the brakes, change the gear, handbrake 🤣🤣

Atethehalloweenchocs · 30/09/2023 16:01

Book a driving lesson if you are worried.

Wishbone436 · 30/09/2023 20:18

I defo would! I’ve driven an automatic for so long that I would defo make some awful mistake & look a fool 🤣

enchantedsquirrelwood · 30/09/2023 20:54

I had this dilemma a few years ago when we were looking to replace our older car and decided to get a manual as our son was coming up to 17 and driving lesson age.

I did a refresher lesson so that I wouldn't make a fool of myself on the test drive.

In the end son passed on a manual but we replaced our automatic with another automatic and he drives that.

But anyway I would suggest doing a refresher if you are going to have an assessment.

I used to drive an automatic and a manual interchangably and had no difficulty at all but it's different when you've not driven a manual for about a decade. Two years is probably different but if it's a male dominated industry...

beachyhead · 30/09/2023 21:00

Mew2 · 30/09/2023 10:46

If your worried go and look around a garage- and test drive a manual vechile- preferably the one you are going to be assessed on... I went to go and test drive for my company car- chose an automatic and had never driven one (was 22)

Good thinking - free practice in a similar car 😀

WereYouListeningToTheDudesStory · 30/09/2023 23:14

Pleaseme · 29/09/2023 21:18

To be fair I don’t think I’d actually damage the car. I drove a manual for years/ learnt to drive in a manual. I’m sure I’d pick it up again quickly but the assessment is only 30 minutes long.

Show quote history

No, I doubt you would damage it. But the people who damage them don't think they will either so I'd rather warn you having seen how much they end up getting charged!