to think it's probably not worth me having driving lessons in a manual??

[VelvetSpoon]

so, earlier this week, much to my surprise I passed my theory test (yay!) which means I actually now need to get on and do some driving lessons in order to take (and hopefully pass) the practical.

The backstory - which is prob relevant - is that over 20 years ago as a teen I had a LOT of driving lessons in a manual. I found it REALLY hard, and used to get into a proper flap about changing gear. I took 3 tests and failed, and in at least 2 of them I failed at least in part for gear related issues.

About 10 years ago, my then P bought a people carrier (which was auto) and persuaded me to go out in it, and I found it incredibly easy to drive (I had also driven his previous car, which was a manual, and found it just as hard as I had as a teen to 'manage' the gears), and started having driving lessons - although I then for financial and other reasons had to give up before test stage.

I should say I am not a 'natural' driver, I find it really hard (I am generally a bit unco-ordinated and clumsy, for example it took me a long time as a child to learn to ride a bike and I still cant let go of the handlebars when doing so!) and just think the added complication of gears - now I have passed the theory and actually want to drive - is one thing I could do without, and that I might pass much more easily (even though I still think I will struggle a bit) in an auto than a manual.

My lovely bf has been trying to persuade me to do manual lessons, partly for practical reasons (because he has a manual car and the mad fool is actually prepared to take me out in it to help me practice) but also because he thinks I'm great at everything I do and will easily master a manual, and also of course because it gives me more choice of cars once I've passed etc.

I just don't think I can grasp the skills of changing gear though! And I REALLY want to pass now (I never thought I could pass the theory, so now I have am filled with enthusiasm) and I just can't face doing months and months of lessons and still not getting the hang of gear changes....

I'm in a similar boat, except I haven't passed theory and my driving license is hopelessly out of date (about 5 years out of date). I did a few lessons in a manual and even at the "I know everything" age of 17 I still found it anxiety inducing and did everything I could to stop learning. Wish I hadn't, but there we go.

I'm on my boyfriend's insurance but never driven it (owing to that license thing, you'd have thought he would have asked beforehand!). I really need to get it done for so many reasons - opportunity of work, when I have children and just to get out and about easier - we live in a small market town and having to negotiate buses and trains all the time is a nightmare and doesn't always cater for emergencies.

My Mum has quite challenging joint problems and she switched to an auto years ago - she went years without driving because of pain/anxiety and now drives over 100 miles a week with work.

The very thought of taking manual lessons scared the shit out of me, then the thought of driving a manual car, concentrating on the road, worrying about gears and having 3 kids in the back worried me more.
I took auto lessons, was told Id only need about 12.....40 lessons later I sometimes wonder if Id have been better off taking my manual. I did pass first time though.

Newer cars, which an instructor will have, are much much easier to drive than what you will originally have learnt in. Also try a diesel over a petrol as they are much easier too for your gears.

Good luck

Newer cars, which an instructor will have, are much much easier to drive than what you will originally have learnt in. Also try a diesel over a petrol as they are much easier too for your gears.

Good luck

Do whatever you want. There's no reason you can't do the automatic lessons then have some manual ones once you've passed and got to grips with the roads etc.

Once all the other stuff has been mastered the gears won't be so bad.

I'm currently learning in a manual but the gets aren't a problem for me and I'd struggle with the same stuff in an auto

Go for it seriously, I can't wait to pass my test eventually

You'll have less choice with an auto license, but a lot more than you have now. And it sounds like you've given yourself plenty of chances to try the manul/ You now see a path to being able to drive. Stop letting people make it more difficult. Take auto lessons and get yourself an auto license and car. Then once you have built up confidence and experience in a manual think about letting your boyfriend take you out in his manual to practice gears, if it seems inportant at that stage.

*Built up confidence and experience in an auto.

Think about what would be preferable, an automatic licence or no licence. If as you say, you cannot afford to waste time or money trying to get to grips with gears when you already know they are difficult for you and cause you stress, even if you eventually pass your test will you ever want to or be comfortable driving a manual? If the answer is no then just learn in an auto. IMO its much better for you to be on the road as a confident auto driver than a nervous manual driver.

In a life or death situation (the only real emergency i can fathom) surely you would just drive a manual, licence or no licence. I know that's not legal but in a proper emergency surely that's what we would all do? Being able to drive someone elses car or needing to hire a car are obviously limitations that may arise if they are not auto but as with everything else in life, we get by.

I think your idea is a good one. Try the manual again for 6 lessons, you might find it fine these days. If you're really struggling autos are easier and it's better than not being able to drive. You'll probably want to change the family car to an auto in due course and you'll also be able to hire autos as well.

just learn in an automatic, it's not like they're going to stop making them.

I eventually passed my manual test (third time) and never specifically had an issue with the gears but was a very nervous driver. I think part of the issue is learning a bit later in life and self-preservation kicks in.

After I passed my test I was too anxious to drive my own (old, manual) car and sold it. I saved up and bought a much newer automatic - best decision ever. Although changing gear hadn't been an issue for me, by not having to coordinate or think about it at all, I was totally free to concentrate on the road, which is the biggest deal for a newly independent driver. It's given me a chance to build my experience and confidence up. And, unbelievably, I actually now enjoy driving. Never, ever thought I'd be saying that.

Sorry OP my point from previous post is that - why worry about manual if you can just go down the automatic route? Lessons are so expensive, better to pass auto quickly (am sure you will) and put your funds towards a car.

Inspired by a thread on here a few months ago about learning to drive an auto I finally at the age of 46 got my arse into gear and sat my theory and booked some auto lessons - I had previously tried manual lessons (several times with different instructors) and just couldn't "get it" and could never actually imagine myself ever passing my test.

Anyway I've now had seven lessons and its going great. I also bought myself a ex mobility car (full service history,one owner and only 3 years old) to get some extra practice in and now I feel I can imagine that one day soon I'll be driving where ever I want when I want.

Oh and I love driving now and DH gets to leave his car at home all weekend whilst I get the practice in.

Oh and another advantage is driving an auto means I can really concentrate on the road and my driving without worrying about the bloody gears. I'm also well on the way to cracking the maneuvers which I don't think is bad after 7 lessons !!

:) that's great fluffy

I had about 18 months on and off of manual lessons and was a nervous wreck on the roads. I was getting in such a flap about gears and stalling and I lost all my confidence.
I switched to automatic on recommendation from a friend and had a few months of lessons before passing my test first time. It's so much better, I am free to concentrate on what's going on outside of the car instead of fading with gears and a clutch. I have a corsa and it's very nippy.

Have booked myself in for 6 lessons with a manual, starting next week

Going to see how I get on. I know that if I got in an auto car now, I'd be able to drive straight away, although I'd be fairly cautious/slow and would definitely have to do some practice on manouevres, roundabouts etc. If I'm similar, or even nearly at that level with manual then I'll persevere!

BUT if I get in a manual and spend the entire lesson(s) pootling round my estate not getting out of 2nd gear then I'll know I need to switch :)

I'd lean manual, its more efficient and often hire cars are always stick in Europe. Its easy once it clicks.

Good luck.

And remember, once you pass an automatic test you can drive an automatic. So you can then learn manual in your own time with no pressure as you have a car already that you can drive.

It's definitely good to try a manual first OP because if you pass your test in a manual then you can drive manuals and automatics but if you just drive in an automatic you cannot drive a manual. I found it handy to know how to drive a manual when I had to drive a friend's car for her for a short distance.

www.drivingtesttips.biz/automatic-driving-test.html This sums up pros and cons

I would only ever buy an automatic. I'd always try to hire an automatic. I'm pleased to have a manual licence though as it means I can drive DH's car and others if needed. I have always requested an automatic courtesy car and would say that's been possibly 80% of the time over the last ten/eleven years. An auto licence will limit your options maybe 5 days a year. Way better than no licence.