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Original poster

To learn to drive automatic?

58 replies

ScarlettSunshine · 28/07/2017 09:18

Failed my driving test three times. I'm a good driver but just fall apart in my tests. I desperately need to pass by the end of September for various reasons.

Some people have told me to do some automatic lessons, and take an automatic test. I don't specifically struggle with changing gears and things, but I guess it's one less thing to think about? Other people have said this is a terrible idea, and will confuse me more. I've been having lessons on and off for 7 years, but haven't had a lesson since my last failed test about a year ago.

What's everyone's thoughts? Do I stand a better chance in an automatic? I'm really not fussed about being limited to an automatic forever, or if manuals are funner to drive. It's just imperative that I pass in the next couple of months.

OP posts:
Groupie123 · 28/07/2017 09:49

I drive an auto license. I have never been given a manual hire or breakdown car anywhere in the world. Even in India where everybody loves manuals, I can easily get an automatic because that's what americans drive and so all places stock them.

KoalaDownUnder · 28/07/2017 09:57

Er don't you live in Australia?

I'm in Western Australia. You cannot drive a manual car with an automatic-only licence.

As in the U.K.

PoppyTree · 28/07/2017 10:01

Sure, go for it Scarlett. It WILL be easier to pass, and you can get a little auto car and be independent. Then when you have gained some confidence, just go and take a manual test. Probably good to do a manual one eventually if you can, as if you ever get a job where you need to drive a company vehicle, many companies won't have auto cars or vans or whatever.

I know 2 different people who passed in autos about 20 years back, and got a new job that required a manual licence. So they had to take a manual test. They both passed very quickly.

I think you will find many people took 2 or more tests to pass!

Tentomidnight · 28/07/2017 10:02

Go for it. I finally passed my test in a manual but have only driven an automatic since, and I wish I'd never bothered with gears. Auto is FAR easier!
The future of cars is electric, and I'm sure electric cars are all automatic?

HeartburnCentral · 28/07/2017 10:09

It depends on what is causing you to fail your previous tests. What points did they fail you on?

daddyorscience · 28/07/2017 10:10

Go for it. It's not limiting..I drive an auto, and an AMT (automated manual, stick but no clutch). Love it. If I have car issues, or need a big machine for holidays, car hire places have never had issues sourcing one.. This hols I had a 7 seater, last year I had a 10 seater..Grin

Once, it was hard to find autos.. Not now. Full auto, AMT (Citroen/Merc/ford/Vauxhall and more), DSG (VW/Audi/Skoda)... Wide choice of cars and technologies now.

Andrewofgg · 28/07/2017 10:38

Get through on an automatic and get some road experience but then try to pass on a manual. A few years ago I arranged to hire an automatic but on the day it was not available - accident. Saturday morning and no scope to find me another automatic. If I had not had a manual licence I would have been shafted. I can't say I enjoyed renewing my acquaintance with the gearbox but I got by.

woodhill · 28/07/2017 10:39

Auto driver and love it but could drive a manual if I had to.

Good suggestions here. I'm sure you will pass whichever car transmission type you go for

Original poster
ScarlettSunshine · 28/07/2017 20:56

I can't really remember, but it was mainly hesitation/ pulling out too quickly, things like that. Nothing really to do with the gears/ clutch, but as I said, it's one less thing to think about. Although I have stalled a couple of times which makes me feel more on edge. It's just nerves, I drive perfectly with instructors. I will give automatic a go, thanks for all opinions.

OP posts:
MissAlabamaWhitman · 28/07/2017 21:02

I have an automatic licence and a company car.

They didn't bat an eyelid.

I'll never learn to drive a manual, there's really no point.

Drive auto OP. You'll never look back. 👍

Imchuckbass · 28/07/2017 21:09

I drive auto only. Still waiting for one of these situations which people love to point out on these threads about car swapping or trouble finding hire car/courtesy car....
Automatic cars are becoming more and more common, hence getting a bit cheaper now.

softlyspokensophie · 28/07/2017 21:15

I'm sure all Americans reading this must be Grin
The UK makes such a fuss over what license you have/what transmission you choose.
How many times it took to pass your test ....
l can drive a manual, but prefer an auto.
It is a fucking car!

restingbitchphase · 28/07/2017 21:18

Failed 3 times isn't too bad . Plenty of people I know have passed on 4 th/5th myself included .
My sister passed her 16th!

Possumfish · 28/07/2017 21:24

I wouldn't. If your not struggling with gears there's no point in restricting yourself. A friend has an automatic license and he needed to hire a van to move a sofa. No automatic van avalible at local depot...Don't restrict yourself!!!!

Flixybelle · 28/07/2017 21:24

I was learning to drive about 12 years ago and was struggling with it, I was just a nervous learner. After over a year of lessons I switched to an Auto and passed in 4 weeks. Best thing I ever did never regretted it for a minute. It's really not caused any major drama for me, and I do a lot of driving.My dh has a manual so its a pain not being able to drive his but that is literally on a handful of occasions and its no big deal.
Every few years I think about taking my manual test just to have it but I now have a problem with my hips so an auto is the best when it flares up.

AvoidingCallenetics · 28/07/2017 21:27

Just passed my test in an auto having had about 4 years of lessons in both a manual and an auto. Even if I had a manual licence I would still choose an auto car - so much easier to drive wgich allows me to concentrate on the important stuff. Go for it - you can always do a manual test later if you want to.

MsPassepartout · 28/07/2017 21:35

I passed my test on a manual, drove a manual for years, but in recent months I've been mostly driving an automatic.

I have no problems changing gears and all that, but even so, it's so much easier driving an automatic. One less thing to think about and it does make a difference. So I do think it'd be easier to pass a test driving an automatic even if you're generally fine with gear changes.

The only thing I would be wary of is the point that if you pass on an automatic license, you can't legally drive a manual car. That's possibly restrictive in the long term. But I guess you could always redo the driving test in a manual car later.

LetZygonsbeZygones · 28/07/2017 21:35

I started learning in a manual and after 5 lessons changed instructor and switched to auto. I passed first time (10 two hour lessons). I swear I would still be trying to pass my sodding test now 35 years later if I'd stayed with the manual. I had poor coordination so gears, clutch and steering combination just too much for my head. I couldn't focus on the road as so busy trying to get it all together. It was a blessed relief when I switched and only had to concentrate on the road and manouevres . I say go for it.

MrsJamesAspey · 28/07/2017 21:42

I'd taking an intensive course with an automatic, it's certainly worth a try, if you still fail with an automatic then chances are you'd fail with a manual too,

Once you've been driving for a year or so you could always retake the test in a manual if you felt the need and you'd be more confident be then and less likely to make dill mistakes.

Good luck

BlurryFace · 28/07/2017 21:48

I'm learning to drive automatic, at my dad's recommendation. My dad has worked with cars in different forms - taxi, driving instructor - and says automatics are easier to get the hang of and more enjoyable to drive. He drives automatic and has no intention to go back to manual.

rockcake · 28/07/2017 21:50

I did something similar 20+ years ago when I needed to get a licence in a hurry, having had sporadic lessons in a manual previously - without ever taking test. It only took 10 lessons, plus a bit of practice in car with DH, and I passed first time. It's true, you'll probably never get round to taking manual lessons once you have an automatic licence and you'd really struggle to drive manual anyway once you've been driving automatic for a while, but it's never been enough of an obstacle to bother me tbh. Like a pp said, why can't all cars be automatic?

Whatever you decide, best of luck OP Flowers

Articu · 28/07/2017 21:58

I've been driving for 35 years and have driven all sorts of cars in lots of different countries. I'm confident driving a manual but driving an automatic is much easier and relaxing. It's not that I find driving a manual hard as I think I'm so used to it that I do it without thinking but an automatic is still so much easier.

I'd imagine it would be lots easier to pass in an automatic.

Branleuse · 28/07/2017 22:05

i failed in a manual loads of times. At least 5 or 6.

Trying an automatic was just brilliant. I had a couple of months of lessons in that and passed and its been a life changer. My mum tried to put me off by saying its harder to swap cars around etc, but tbh, how often does that happen anyway? I love my automatic car. Much less stressful.

My main problem was not the gears, it was the clutch. Im hypermobile and possibly/probably dyspraxic, and dont have great foot control and could never get the bite on the clutch. I was always stalling, which made me get flustered. Hill starts were a fucking nightmare. I dont have any of these problems with an automatic

Articu · 28/07/2017 22:17

I've tried to find some statistics on pass rates for drivers in manual cars and pass rates for drivers in automatics but couldn't find any. However I'm shocked at how different the pass rates are in different areas. It's a MASSIVE difference 😱😱😱😱

acapellagirl · 28/07/2017 22:20

I did it OP - took lessons in an automatic and I definitely recommend it!! You're right when you say - one less thing to think about!!

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