Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To learn to drive automatic

81 replies

TopangaD · 31/10/2017 23:00

My family will laugh at me but I want to learn quickly is automatic so bad? Worried about driving in snow etc need to do motorway driving for work should I just do full course or auto?

OP posts:
GetOutOfMYGarden · 31/10/2017 23:06

Can you afford an automatic car? Is there any chance you'll want a manual car in the future (not everything comes in an automatic)?

ThePants999 · 31/10/2017 23:13

If time's important, by all means do automatic-only now. You can always learn manual driving later.

ButterfliesandMoths · 31/10/2017 23:14

I passed in an automatic. I tried manual lessons first but couldn’t get the hang of it. I was an older learner, I was 30 don’t know if that had anything to do with it.
I love it, I don’t have to worry about gears and the clutch. Works for me Smile

19lottie82 · 31/10/2017 23:17

Try a manual and if you really struggle (chances are you won’t) then you can always switch to an auto.

HolidayHelpPlease · 31/10/2017 23:19

I did automatic and passed in 9 months - I’m a very anxious driver and tried to learn manual on off for two years. If you need to pass quickly, do auto (bollocks to them laughing!), you can always go back and do manual later but you will have to answer questions about gears in the theory test

HeyRoly · 31/10/2017 23:20

Autos are brilliant. I'll never drive a manual despite having a manual licence.

Jakeyboy1 · 31/10/2017 23:20

Do it. All the best cars are autos. You won't catch any self respecting Mercedes or Range Rover driver in a manual. May as well start in style ;)

LightDrizzle · 31/10/2017 23:22

People will take the piss (unless you have health or disability factors) - but YANBU. It’s no big deal if you really battle with gears.
I’d never met anyone who’d done this until the last three years and since then I’ve known three people do it, all at the same place of work.
Everyone took the piss, but good naturedly. It’s a friendly workplace.

IHaveBrilloHair · 31/10/2017 23:23

I love my auto, would never go back now, though I have a manual license.
Do whatever makes it easier for you.

thenightsky · 31/10/2017 23:27

I passed in auto in 1985. Never had any issue or people taking the piss. I'm a moderator on a petrol head website.

Driving in snow... my subaru has a button that locks it in low gear. No issue.

DD has also done auto only and passed first time. She suffers dyspraxia and tried twice to have ordinary lessons to no avail. Totally confident in auto. No issues since.

MrsVioletBottom · 31/10/2017 23:32

Another here who is a recent convert to auto. I have been driving a manual for many years. I bought a hybrid car which is auto, last year. I also will never go back to a manual.

GreyHare · 31/10/2017 23:35

I have an Auto license as I couldn't get to grips with the clutch, I have never had an issue finding a car from old cheap bangers to nice cars, and only arseholes judge you for not driving a manual, the only car regret I have is that I could never own an original Fiat 500.

Hedgehog80 · 31/10/2017 23:38

Go for it. I do automatic lessons (I can’t seem to pass but it’s easier than manual and most people do pass😂)

AssassinatedBeauty · 31/10/2017 23:42

A car and a driving license are to get you from A to B. It doesn't have to be about anything else. If you'd be quicker learning and passing your test in an automatic and it's important you pass quickly then go for it.

Frazzled2207 · 31/10/2017 23:43

I drove manual for years but recently got an auto car. I can’t believe I didn’t earlier tbh! It’s so much easier. But limiting in terms of cars. Get a full licence unless you are really struggling with gears in which case go for it.

Orangebird69 · 31/10/2017 23:45

I passed with a manual over 20 years ago. Only started driving autos about 5 years ago and I will NEVER have buy a manual car again. I've borrowed my dms manual car whist mine is in the garage having some maintenance done and I hate it. Changing gear is so tedious. Can't wait to get my lover auto landrover back!

DontTouchTheMoustache · 31/10/2017 23:46

I did this, learnt and passed in 3 months. Best decision i ever made. 99% of people have no idea ans it makes no difference. Id rather drive an auto than nothing.

BeALert · 01/11/2017 02:55

Automatics work perfectly well in snow, on motorways, etc. Why wouldn't they?

Ericaequites · 01/11/2017 03:09

I'm the American daughter of a car dealer who only drives automatic. i lack the coordination to drive a stick.

ProseccoMamam · 01/11/2017 03:27

I am way to thick to drive a manual car so I went for automatic. Family don’t care, I doubt they even noticed it didn’t have a gear stick. It’s a car

When I say I’m too thick for manual I don’t mean that my left hand didn’t pass GCSE’s. I mean I’d be too concentrated on the road and mirrors and other cars to keep looking down and checking and re checking and re re checking whether or not I was in the right gear - I have OCD so I doubt myself a lot. I’d also probably forget until I hear a scraping noise and break the whole fucking car. I also had to get a car that didn’t show numbers on the dashboard behind the steering wheel because I’d spend too much time trying to keep the mph on a even number than looking on the road.HmmConfusedGrin

bayseyan · 01/11/2017 03:36

Automatics are fine. I’ve driven one for years. Just do it, it is easier. I learned in a manual then switched and never looked back

bayseyan · 01/11/2017 03:38

Plus almost everyone in USA does automatic, most never been in a manual never mind driven one. A whole country can’t be wrong?

araiwa · 01/11/2017 04:50

I hate automatic cars and bikes

I dont feel as though im fully in control . I dont like the delay you sometimes get in gear changes. Manuals i can choose gear and go

HappenedForAReisling · 01/11/2017 04:56

Good tyres will make more difference in snow than a manual gearbox.
I drive and automatic AWD with proper winter tyres and get on just fine (I do live in the mountains though, so the above is justified).

EmmaGrundyForPM · 01/11/2017 05:02

I would never laugh at someone who chooses to drive an automatic. Why would I? However, I personally dislike automatics and much prefer to drive a manual. There's also.more flexibility. If you need to hire a car in this country or in Europe then there's far less choice. Although you're fine in the States!

We used to have a Tiptronic car which was the best of both worlds and I liked driving that but I'm not sure if you'd be allowed to with only an automatic licence.

I would try having lessons on a manual and see how you get on. If you find it difficult, switch to learning on an automatic.