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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To learn to drive in an automatic

41 replies

Singyourheartout · 25/08/2017 11:45

I'm in the last year of my studies and looking at my future possibilities. I need to learn to drive, desperately, ideally before May 2018, earlier if possible. I have had a few lessons in a manual and didn't particularly enjoy it. I struggle with the gears and clutch and just never felt comfy in charge of it. Obviously I can learn it over time but I don't have a lot of time or money. I think I can learn in a automatic fast and easier in under 20 lessons.
I have spoke to people who seem horrified at this. Saying that I won't be able to afford a automatic or the petrol. Is it really that bad?

OP posts:
AvoidingCallenetics · 25/08/2017 11:52

I've just passed in an automatic. There is nothing to stop you doing the manual test later, when time and money allow.
I don't get why some people are so snotty about automatics - I hated manual. For me it makes sense to drive what I find to be easiest.

SuzukiLi · 25/08/2017 11:54

I drive an automatic but have a full license. I don't think learning in an automatic is any easier. Gears are something you can master in one lesson. It's the actual driving or the car on the roads that takes the time and it isn't any different in an auto.

GinGeum · 25/08/2017 11:55

Do it! I learnt manual, and then after 10 years got an automatic and love driving so much more now. Why make more work for yourself when there's another perfectly good option.

NaturalBlondeYeahRight · 25/08/2017 11:56

I passed manual but both DH and I drive automatics now for about 10 years. There is no doubt they are very simple to drive. We don't find them any more expensive, just a bit less choice on forecourts and smaller cars seem to be even more likely to be manual. Have a driving lesson in an auto- see if it feels natural. I don't know why all cars aren't auto now, can't see much advantage of the traditional car with modern technology (especially when you live on a hill)

SpaghettiAndMeatballs · 25/08/2017 11:57

I did mine in a manual, but now we have an auto and a manual, and when the manual needs to be replaced, it'll be with an auto. We hire autos when abroad.

Nothing wrong with it at all. Why muck about with gears if you don't have to. The only issue is that in Europe it's going to be more expensive to buy/service/hire one - but even that's changing and isn't as bad as it once was.

HelloSunshine11 · 25/08/2017 11:58

Automatics are way more common these days, it's not like years ago when they were like hen's teeth and more expensive. Does an automatic licence allow you to drive cars that can switch between auto and manual? (the sort where you change gears with a switch, you still don't have a clutch etc) If so, that would open your options up even further.

I don't think it's ridiculous. H and I both have manual licences but have had semi-autos for the past 7 years or so. Bliss!

StickThatInYourPipe · 25/08/2017 11:59

i personally hate driving automatics but I thinnk it depends what you are used to. Learn in an automatic and you would probably hate manual. YANBU

HirplesWithHaggis · 25/08/2017 12:00

Imho, the main downside to only having an automatic license is that it restricts your choice of car so much. I have no idea about petrol costs (when I had an auto, I could easily afford it, and as it was my first 2lt I may have enjoyed the acceleration too much to worry about excess consumption Blush ) but you can buy used or even end-of-life autos as cheaply as a manual, and I don't think they're any more or less likely to go hideously wrong. My auto died of a blown cylinder head gasket, nothing to do with the gearing, while another manual died of a blown clutch.
I think petrol consumption has a lot to do with how a car is driven and using the right gears, and the latter is done for you with an auto. If you really need to be able to drive, an auto seems like a sensible idea atm. You can always learn how to drive a manual later, but given we're looking at a future of driverless cars, that may not matter.

scaryteacher · 25/08/2017 12:02

Dh has an automatic, I have a manual. I don't like automatics, it's like driving an armchair.

SheGotOffThePlane · 25/08/2017 12:03

Do it! I took lessons in a manual in my late teens and early twenties and it was awful. I had an injury that made it difficult to learn for a bit so when i went back to it I learnt in an automatic. From hating driving to passing in under 4 months made it so worthwhile. It can be a little more expensive, the car we have now we also had in a manual years ago and according to dh this one is a bit thirstier on petrol. However I admit I'm not the most economical driver Blush

Desperad0 · 25/08/2017 12:04

Go for it, I passed in a manual, bought an automatic after a year as my car only came in auto (and I hated driving in traffic) and I will never go back

In a few years the majority of cars will be automatic

BoysofMelody · 25/08/2017 12:08

Same as above, I passed and drove a a manual for years before getting an automatic (it wasn't through choice, my sister told me about a cheap car for sale that happened to be automatic rather than actively seeking out an automatic).

On balance I like it, but there are downsides, I feel less in control as you don't have the option of using the gears to slow down or to select a higher gear in the ice and snow.

Also, the choice of used cars in the second hand market is more restricted and you pay a premium for a used automatic. This may be an issue when you've just started working.

Also, depending on the job you go into, you may have to drive a works vehicle. In one job I had, all visits had to be made in one of three pool cars, none of which were automatic.

If you were in an established career and knew you weren't going to ever drive a manual, with plenty of disposable income, I'd say go for it, but in your circumstances I'd persist with learning in a manual and get a full licence.

DovahBee11 · 25/08/2017 12:11

I tried manual lessons, did about 20hours in one and always struggled with reverse manoeuvres. I asked to switch to automatic to see if it helped any. It really did for me. So I stuck at it and passed in an auto and have stuck with them since. If it's what you feel happiest in, then go for it. As pp's have said, there's nothing from stopping you from doing a manual test later on.

StarryCorpulentCunt · 25/08/2017 12:13

I hate autos tbh. Don't feel in control at all, they're like bumper cars. I drove one as a courtesy car for a few weeks and used nearly twice as much petrol too. They're not very good for fuel economy.

Mrsdraper1 · 25/08/2017 12:16

I love automatic cars we have had 2 and I wouldn't want to buy a manual again. However if you're buying used they aren't that easy to find.

Original poster
Singyourheartout · 25/08/2017 12:16

In all honesty I don't think driving a auto should be easier but less to deal with. And with driving, especially as a new driver and someone who panics I don't want to have to deal with stalling or dealing with gears and clutches in difficult positions till I'm much more experienced.
I'm in the U.K. And I could realistically pay for 1.2 engine maybe even 1.4, least for the first year.
I'm glad you told me about car choices though, but I'm only looking for a car to get me from A to B and is cheap to insure.

OP posts:
Showandtell · 25/08/2017 12:17

I bloody love automatics. I drive a lot and it makes driving so much less of a chore.

Knottyash5 · 25/08/2017 12:18

Someone posted on this a few weeks ago. I've never quite understood why we automate everything else and still change gear automatically! Some cars don't even let you switch your windscreen wipers on yourself.

If you find it easier, take your test in an automatic.

We drive automatics though we both have manual licences. I don't know if the petrol consumption is terrible but I don't think it's that much worse than a manual. As for hiring cars, as long as you book a reasonable time in advance you can make sure you get an automatic. We did once arrive at an airport and get told they didn't have a small automatic for us - I wasn't best pleased as we'd booked 6 months before when we booked the flights. Anyway they upgraded us to a larger and more comfortable car. I've also been able to get automatic courtesy cars.

JadeT2 · 25/08/2017 12:19

I learnt in an auto 6 years after my first yen lessons in a manual which I hated. I passed my auto test in 16 lessons, it was so much easier doing manoeuvres without worrying about clutches and gears. I bought my first car on Gumtree for £950, a semi-auto Corsa which drive fine.

ButchyRestingFace · 25/08/2017 12:23

I'm learning in an automatic. I have mild CP and won't ever be using a manual.

For that reason, ** I'm using one foot on each pedal.

Kittychatcat · 25/08/2017 12:23

I think you should do it. People are strange about automatics when the reality is that you will learn far more easily and have plenty of choice of cars to buy. Not having to change gears is brilliant when you're stuck in traffic or driving somewhere hilly. They do use a bit more petrol but fuel consumption has improved greatly over recent years.

When you are ready to buy a car it's worth trying to find a used motability car as disabled people often prefer to drive automatic cars. The cars are serviced regularly so are usually very reliable.

NanooCov · 25/08/2017 12:29

I don't Drive but DH does. He's been driving manual for 20 years. 3 years ago we got a car with the ability to drive manual or automatic. He never takes it out of automatic now. From being a snob about autos, he's a convert now.

supersop60 · 25/08/2017 12:33

Automatics are great in traffic. I hate that achey clutch leg thing. Passing your test on an automatic restricts your use of cars later, but it's no biggie, if that's what you prefer. Electric cars will all be automatic in the not so distant future!

e1y1 · 25/08/2017 12:33

At one time, Autos were more expensive to buy and run fuel wise (and they were usually only available in "saloon" type/estate type cars).

Cars have moved on a bit since then, and whilst autos are less fuel efficient than a manual, it isn't a million miles away now and barely noticeable.

The range of cars available has increased too, now if it 's in a manual, it is almost 100% available in an auto too.

Schroedingerscatagain · 25/08/2017 12:58

I've been driving for over 30 years, always a manual until DH got his first automatic 4 years ago

I bloody love the thing, I suffer from fibromyalgia and when I'm bad if he can DH leaves his for me and takes my manual instead (his is a company one)

It's truly lovely to drive, we've enjoyed it so much (done 107,000 miles) that we have a new one arriving shortly

My best friend never could get the hang of learning in a manual and in the end changed to an automatic, she passed first time

Go for it