To cop out of manual lessons and go automatic? Any experiences or advice greatly needed

[WaynettaSlobsLover]

So I've had about 16 hours of driving manually...and I absolutely hate it. Can't enjoy lessons at all because I'm constantly panicking about approaching junctions and making sure car is prepared to pull off and if I'm in the right gear..that my handbrakes up etc etc etc. then when I drive I'm a complete klutz at changing gear..think putting it into first instead of third on a busy main road.

I've just had enough of it. I just want to drive an effing car without thinking about clutch control and the biting point and all the other things that I clearly am unable to multitask. I have co-ordination problems as it is although thankfully spacial awareness and reaction timing is always good.

Anyway, can I have someone's permission to switch to automatic lessons? Already heard all the 'bad' stuff about automatics and how it's better to drive manual etc. anyone got experience in doing this? Or advice ? Anything?!

[MyDarlingClementine]

Everlong I am same as you, passed in manual but didn't drive for years, now we have auto and its brilliant, I was able to get in and drive straight away in-spite of not actually driving since my test!

[ruledbyheart]

I am learning in an automatic, I drove my partners manual for about 3 months and absolutely hated it so when it went bye bye to the scrap yard we bought an automatic so much easier, my confidence behind the wheel is considerably better and I'm happy to drive in public now, yes it does make car buying harder but not impossible and if something goes wrong it can be more costly to fix but to me it's definitely worth it

[Icanhasnickname]

I was like you, so my husband would 'drill' me in gear-location! I would be blindfolded and would have to do things like go from 1st to 5th to 3rd, then he would put it in a gear and I would have a second to feel the stick and guess the gear! Sounds silly, but it really helped.

[vivizone]

Automatic Automatic Automatic ALL THE WAY! l can't recommend it enough. I have tried manual for years and couldn't get with it. I have now had about 20 lessons in automatic with the AA and in process of booking test. The instructor is absolutely brilliant. It's pricey at £28 per hour (I have 2 hour lesson every weekend) but it so worth it. I never thought I would be able to drive but his support and complete faith in me (taking me on motorways/large roundabouts on second lesson!) have been invaluable.

I am Dyslexic and all that remembering on gears etc was killing me. I am desperate to have my own independence by driving. Sometimes I am on the road and I just get this WOW feeling - like I am ACTUALLY DRIVING! ME?!

Give it a go OP, you will not regret it. I promise you. If I can do it, ANYBODY CAN. Good luck.

[Chandon]

I learned automatic, can't see why not, or why it is considered "lesser".

I liked it as I learned to drive in a big crazy city (Rome) and liked having both hands on the wheel at all times and being able to respond quickly.

Why do you need anyone's blessing, OP? Just do what suits you. you don't have to justify this kind of decision to anyone else.

[chris481]

The dual-clutch automatic gearboxes that started coming in over the last several years mean that the main disadvantages of automatics have been solved. Automatic's performance and fuel consumption is equal to (sometimes fractionally better!) than the manual equivalent. For someone buying a new car, the only reason for preferring a manual is the £1000 saving on the price, and I'd say that's definitely a false economy, as an automatic is so much nicer to drive.

I commute through London. I recently had a manual Fiesta as a courtesy car, I couldn't believe how tedious all the gear-changing was. I did drive a manual for the first ten years and didn't think it was a problem at the time, but there's no way I would go back to one now.

[MrsBourneUltimatum]

You have my permission!

I didn't drive until I was 25- had had what added up to quite a few hours of manual lessons on and off and couldn't do it. I persisted because my dad, grandad and boyfriend at the time were all die-hard "manly men" and thought driving "properly" was important and that basically I think, it came easy to them so it should come easy to me. I really thought I was a terrible driver and that I would never pass my test ever.

I then met my now husband and he said "Why don't you try auto?" which I had genuinely never considered before because of the attitude of the domineering men folk in my life. I found an amazing instructor through a friend and after only 12 lessons and a mere 6 weeks I passed first time. I now drive through central London every day and do far more challenging drives that many people I know who have been driving for years.

I have got a few (male) friends who say things like "MrsBU drives a bumper car!" and my best friends partner is always taking the piss (he bullied her into taking manual lessons and it took her two years and 6 tests to pass) but WHO CARES? I can drive!

[MrsBourneUltimatum]

Oh and my dad still says even now "When are you going to do it properly and take the manual test?" Er, never!!

I have the number of an amazing instructor if you are anywhere in the Essex/East London area.

[SchroSawMargeryDaw]

I'm just back from my lesson and we're aiming for me to take the test at the start of July!

You wont regret switching. :o

[valiumredhead]

I did - I never regretted switching.

Both my dad and my dh are experienced drivers, both were HGV drivers and both drive an automatic and would never drive anything else. The days of automatic cars being inferior are long gong. Pretend you are American, in fact I am stunned that we are still using gears, it's such a drag and unnecessary!

[thenightsky]

tillytrotter11 A semi-auto is one where you can opt to change gear if you want, but you have no clutch. You can push the gear lever to + for up and - for down, or you have up or down paddles on the steering wheel. Look at a Smart Car controls - they are semi-autos. My little Brabus roadster is a semi-auto (pic on profile) I just touch a little button on the side of the gear lever to switch instantly between auto and semi-auto. It makes getting away fast at junctions easier.

[PrincessScrumpy]

I've always driven a manual and never had an issue but we just got back from holiday where we hired a big American car - most of which are automatic. I now have no idea why they make cars with gears. My next car might well be an automatic a loved it so much.

[ZillionChocolate]

You're not driving for all of womankind, you're driving for you. As long as you don't blame your difficulty with gears on your vagina, I don't much care what you do!

My experience is this, passed at 17 in a manual, found it ok, but painful on legs. Have only ever had very regular access to autos (parents for 4 years, then my own for 10ish). I do drive a manual from time to time because it's useful to practice (mainly because it's hard for me if I leave it for a year). In my experience European hire cars are usually manual, American/Canadian are usually autos. Courtesy cars are usually manual and if you request an auto (I always do) it's often not possible/can't be guaranteed.

I love my automatic car (which is fast as fuck). I'd never buy/lease a manual but appreciate being able to drive one for the rare occasions it's needed. If I couldn't, I guess I'd get a taxi.

[corinthian]

I only have a licence for an automatic (after maybe about 70-80 hours of lessons on manuals and several failed tests). I found it much easier and have no regrets - much better only being able to drive an automatic than not being able to drive at all.

It does limit you a bit when buying a car and rental cars are more of a pain (and I've never managed to get an automatic courtesy car) but once you've bought a car, unless you are planning to us rental cars a lot, then it's not really a problem.

[ZillionChocolate]

I can't imagine that having passed in an auto (m)any would later take a manual test, but I might be wrong. I'd imagine you'd just live with the additional expense/occasional inconvenience.

[MissBetseyTrotwood]

I hate driving. I did pass on a manual but have not driven one for about 10 years, driving only automatics now. Wish I'd stopped flogging the manual thing ages before I did.

[evansthebread]

I'd definitely persevere with manual. It does become more natural for most.

If it makes you a safer driver, though, go for automatic (but please learn to put the car in neutral with handbrake at traffic lights and don't blind the people behind with your brake lights!). With this in mind, please don't flame me after you've read the next paragraph...

As an ex-driving instructor, I have seen the odd few that have never managed to become decent drivers, maybe eventually passed their test after several attempts - and then, HOW I'll NEVER know! I still see them on the roads on a regular basis and am frankly shocked that they haven't killed themselves or others.

Good luck :-)

[evansthebread]

PS Autos ARE fab, plus the newer ones are have MUCH better fuel economy.

Count me in of the opinion that I also have no idea why they still make manuals (but I am an old fuddy duddy now so prefer comfort and convenience to "driving" a car through it's gears like some sort of macho rally racer)!

[ShowOfHands]

evans, my driving instructor says it frightens him how many instructors teach people to pass a driving test instead of how to drive safely. He takes on a lot of people who have failed with other instructors and they just haven't a clue about how to drive a car in any aware, safe way. He also agrees that some people are never going to be good drivers and some of the best drivers struggle to pass a test whereas a crap driver can be lucky and sail through.

So my tuppence worth is that you learn in whatever car makes you a safe driver.

I started learning in February. I have my final lesson before my test tomorrow. Test is v soon. If I can learn that quickly, anybody can.

[BegoniaBampot]

it's a snobbery thing in this country. I've heard people say (who have never even tried automatics) that they are for lazy or wimpy drivers. the fact that america seems overrun with then confirms the point that it's for the less able or lazy. I learned in a manual and drove one for many years and had somewhat the same mindset. Tried my husbands automatic and that was it, it's a no brainer. i think they actually make you drive more calmly and slower, they are just so fucking civilised and pleasant to drive. I don't know many folk that once they have driven automatic, would go back to a manual.

[DoTheStrand]

I passed in my 20s in a manual then didn't drive again until my late 30s when I had some refresher lessons in an automatic and then bought one. If it's a choice between not driving at all or driving an auto then go for the auto lessons - they are easy to drive and leave you free to think about what's happening around you rather that what's happening with the gears.

I haven't had any problems with hill starts, and certainly in the UK I've never not been able to hire an auto. Loads of large family cars are now automatics so if you end up being a two car family there's no reason you'll be restricted to just 'your' automatic. I'm sure there are times when it would be useful for me to be able to drive a manual but they are outweighed by the times it is more useful for me to drive than not to drive.

In your situation I would probably have a couple more double lessons in a manual, maybe with your instructor focusing on gears, but if it's not clicking with you then cut your losses and go for the auto.

Sorry, I think yet again I have said in three long paras what everyone else has said in one ShowOfHands good luck with your test.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

You are right bling you don't often hear men talking about difficulties in learning to drive, feeling nervous, feeling 'ditzy'. However, the single biggest fatal accident group in drivers is young men, so maybe they should talk about it a bit more and find strategies to deal with any problems they have as the OP is doing rather than women shutting up about it.

Repeating WilsonFrickett's comment, because it's so pertinent.

[DonDrapersAltrEgoBigglesDraper]

Just to add, I'm a Kiwi and automatics are de rigeur here.

And our roads couldn't be more different from US roads.

Outside of the cities, ours are all single lane, windy, up mountain and down range, through gorges and all sorts of terrain. The sort of roads that if you were in a manual, you'd be changing gear all the bloody time. It makes so much more sense to drive an automatic on roads like ours.

And quite honestly, if you don't do much more than drive in the town or city - stopping for lights, given way, changing lanes, letting traffic in, slowing down and speeding up constantly - then again an automatic makes much more sense. All that gear changing avoided.

To my mind, manuals are better suited to motorway and freeway driving; not automatics.

[MarjorieAntrobus]

You want to learn to drive.
You want to pass your test before July.
You hate all the gear-changing.

Change to automatic. It is fine. Just do it.

[BookieMonster]

Go for it. I started learning in a manual and just could not get it. Switched to automatic, passed my test first time and have been confidently driving ever since. If your aim is simply to be able to drive from Point A to Point B, why bother doing it the hard way?