Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

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

Automatic only license - potential boyfriend

32 replies

Sunshinehappy123 · 13/04/2024 14:11

Posting on behalf of my friend haha

were mid 20s and my friend has met a really lovely lovely person, he works full time, has hobbies and I’ve met him and he’s just a very nice lad! Anyway,

he does drive and got his own car but my friend noticed it’s an automatic she asked him and he said that he did pass in an automatic as he was nervous about learning to drive and just wanted to get it sorted and wanted his independence. She said she doesn’t know how she feels about this but I said he’s got a car and driving. I personally wouldn’t find it an issue. Do you think she is BU?

OP posts:
Hotpinkangel19 · 13/04/2024 14:12

Yes. She is BU. People learn in an automatic for lots of reasons. If she's that shallow, i feel sorry for him!

parkrun500club · 13/04/2024 14:12

Has your friend noticed that most new cars being sold are now electric or hybrid cars? And they are all automatics?

DH and I both passed on manuals but we drive automatics now (one is a hybrid, one petrol). DS passed recently-ish on a manual car but also drives our cars and is very happy.

I think if you are put off a boyfriend because he passed his test on a manual car, you don't really like him.

Tatas · 13/04/2024 14:13

I've got an auto only license and I'm a fab driver!

Why on earth would my driving license classification ever impact a relationship? 😂 my DH hasn't ever had any issue with it! The majority of cars I see now are auto and with electric becoming so popular manual isn't going to be the most common car type again.

Why does she think it's an issue(

DinaofCloud9 · 13/04/2024 14:14

Why would anyone give a shit?

Bs0u416d · 13/04/2024 14:14

Is this real??? Your friend isn't sure about a lovely guy because took an automatic test over a manual?? What difference does your friend thinks this makes? I passed in a manual car and wouldn't dream of not having an automatic car because they're just better.

Original poster
Sunshinehappy123 · 13/04/2024 14:14

parkrun500club · 13/04/2024 14:12

Has your friend noticed that most new cars being sold are now electric or hybrid cars? And they are all automatics?

DH and I both passed on manuals but we drive automatics now (one is a hybrid, one petrol). DS passed recently-ish on a manual car but also drives our cars and is very happy.

I think if you are put off a boyfriend because he passed his test on a manual car, you don't really like him.

He passed in an automatic, but me personally wouldn’t find this an issue and I said excactly the same haha.

OP posts:
bradpittsbathwater · 13/04/2024 14:16

Im glad I have a manual licence myself (only passed 2 years ago) but I wouldn't judge anyone who had an automatic only. Many new cars are automatic anyway.

AlohaRose · 13/04/2024 14:17

What exactly is your friend's issue about him having an automatic license? Does it somehow make him less trustworthy, less of a man, less romantic - or what?

HappiestSleeping · 13/04/2024 14:17

She should LT poor B and not waste any more of his time.

I have a manual licence, but choose to drive an automatic because it's, ummmm, loads easier. Especially in today's traffic.

Cinai · 13/04/2024 14:18

🤣🤣🤣
But I’m probably not the right person to give ‘advice’ here because I never even minded dating someone who doesn’t have a licence at all

Original poster
Sunshinehappy123 · 13/04/2024 14:19

Cinai · 13/04/2024 14:18

🤣🤣🤣
But I’m probably not the right person to give ‘advice’ here because I never even minded dating someone who doesn’t have a licence at all

lol so have I in the past but I only passed my test 2 years ago haha.

OP posts:
bumblefeline · 13/04/2024 14:19

What a strange out look to have. He should run a mile from your batshit friend.

Changingplace · 13/04/2024 14:20

What a strange thing to judge someone on, who cares? Sadly I think this says a lot more about your friend than her new boyfriend if she’s going to start nit picking about silly things like this.

MiddleagedBeachbum · 13/04/2024 14:21

Whilst it wouldn’t stop me daring someone I also can see why it could be a bit of potential red flag, as in, are there other areas of life this person isn’t confident or able to achieve that’s ’normal’ for most people and that actually could really hold someone back as a life partner and be an indicator for a much bigger issue of say huge lack of self esteem or drive to achieve things.

OutOfTheHouse · 13/04/2024 14:22

She’s being utterly ridiculous.

All electric cars are automatic and some car companies have stopped making new manual cars.
In 20 years time I expect that driving a manual will be something that is the preserve of people who collect classic cars.

He should do a runner from her.

Blanketpolicy · 13/04/2024 14:28

Is she always this shallow or does the "potential" bf have other issues/she really isn't into him and just looking for a tangible excuse?

ruby1957 · 13/04/2024 14:39

MiddleagedBeachbum · 13/04/2024 14:21

Whilst it wouldn’t stop me daring someone I also can see why it could be a bit of potential red flag, as in, are there other areas of life this person isn’t confident or able to achieve that’s ’normal’ for most people and that actually could really hold someone back as a life partner and be an indicator for a much bigger issue of say huge lack of self esteem or drive to achieve things.

Are people really so shallow that not wiggling a gear lever around and using their left foot when driving means a 'red flag' and somehow that makes the person less 'normal' and lacking self-esteem.

Driving an automatic car is SO standard in most other countries of the world - she needs to move into the 21st century if she thinks it is indicative of any shortcoming on his part.
It is similar to the really ridiculous notion that if you don't drive a manual car you are automatically a 'hopeless driver'!

LakeTiticaca · 13/04/2024 14:47

What a weird thing to get worked up about. My son has a manual licence plus HGV and allsorts other stuff but he now drives an automatic. He swears by them.
If i was this bloke I would be running fast in the other direction. Your friend sounds a bit of a diva 😐

GalileoHumpkins · 13/04/2024 14:50

MiddleagedBeachbum · 13/04/2024 14:21

Whilst it wouldn’t stop me daring someone I also can see why it could be a bit of potential red flag, as in, are there other areas of life this person isn’t confident or able to achieve that’s ’normal’ for most people and that actually could really hold someone back as a life partner and be an indicator for a much bigger issue of say huge lack of self esteem or drive to achieve things.

Give over. Your friends being a dick about this and so is anyone who thinks that driving an automatic car is a red flag.

MarjorieOsborne · 13/04/2024 15:37

Is this a wind-up? If not, your friend sounds like hard work and the poor fella should run a mile before the relationship gets any more serious.

AlohaRose · 13/04/2024 15:53

He should do a runner from her.

No need for running, he can drive away in his automatic car.

PrattleTime · 13/04/2024 16:18

That's mad! What a thing to think about.

It reminds me of Seinfeld. She's a close talker. She's a double face. He's a double dipper. Now we have he can only drive an automatic.

My dd is learning at the moment in an automatic as we only have automatic cars. I'd never thought that it might scare potential suitors. Even better!

Luxell934 · 13/04/2024 16:39

I don’t understand the issue though? Why does it matter he only drives an automatic? Why is she concerned???????

All electric cars will be automatic and soon they will likely stop making manual cars at all.

Sickoftherain123 · 13/04/2024 16:43

I have a PhD and have an auto license. I like the go-kart feeling of it.

He needs to get rid of your high maintenance friends. She sounds like a nightmare.

DerekFaker · 13/04/2024 16:48

MiddleagedBeachbum · 13/04/2024 14:21

Whilst it wouldn’t stop me daring someone I also can see why it could be a bit of potential red flag, as in, are there other areas of life this person isn’t confident or able to achieve that’s ’normal’ for most people and that actually could really hold someone back as a life partner and be an indicator for a much bigger issue of say huge lack of self esteem or drive to achieve things.

What????

It says nothing about him as a person. Not everyone finds driving easy. They may lack coordination or have a condition or disability. It might just not click with them. So what?

I can't believe how judgy some people on here are about driving.