Driving lessons

[Poll37]

I’m wanting to learn to drive, however, I struggled a lot with gears with a manual. I’ve been told automatic cars are a lot easier to learn/drive in, obviously I won’t have the gear problem.
Has anyone struggled learning in a manual and managed and passed with a automatic? How long did it take from beginning to passing? I’ve tried 3 times now with 3 different instructors in a manual and I just can’t get it, feels like this has been forever

I'm struggling to learn in a manual at the moment, have a bit of a block with changing down the gears. I've been learning for two years now but the first year was with a bully of an instructor and the second was lockdown and he also had some car problems so I've actually only had about ten hours with a decent instructor. I'm considering just starting over with an automatic because everything will be electric before long but I feel like it isn't proper driving! So, I dont know but ill be following the thread.

I did exactly the same. Not passed yet as my first test was the week before lockdown 1 and I’ve not had a lesson since
When I first got into the auto it was like a weight was lifted! Definitely worth a go

I did. 16 years ago now. Failed two manual tests. Switched to auto and passed in a few months. Way easier to drive . I have never had a problem finding cars I like although some models may be slightly dearer in auto. I'd say go for it!

I tried manual about 10 years ago and failed miserably and never wanted to try again. Gave automatic a go in 2019 and passed after about 6 months. I was a bit older so that probably helped with my confidence BUT automatic cars are soooo much easier. I love automatic and would recommend it to anyone, so much easier!

I passed in a manual many years ago, but drive an auto now and would never go back.
It's just so much easier.

Definitely have a try in an automatic. I did originally drive a manual for many years but have driven an automatic for about 5 years as the car I wanted (hybrid) only came in automatic. It is so much easier to drive and a lot less to think about.

All new cars will be automatics within the next 15 years due to the phasing out of combustion based cars, so there's no point struggling to learn manual gears any more really.

It took me a long while to learn to drive but I don't think switching from manual to automatic would have helped, changing gears was only one small part of the overall process, and not, imo, the most difficult part to learn. You do say you struggle with gears so it might help you but it wasn't ever going to be a magic solution for me.

I found things like lane changing and roundabouts and reverse parking more complicated than changing gears. The general multi tasking of it and anticipating dangers and the unpredictability of other road users. Still not a fan of driving and lockdown hasn't helped as I have hardly driven since March. When it ends I'm determined to get out there again, I invested a lot of time and money in learning this skill later than most and don't want it to go to waste.

Definitely try an automatic. I passed in a manual, but have driven automatic since I passed 12 years ago. Much prefer driving an automatic, hate having to drive DHs manual car.

I just couldn't drive a Manual I hated it. Tried in automatic and passed in 4 months first time been driving 4 years now wouldn't go back

I took a test at 18, failed, went to uni and travelled and then took another test in my 20s, failed and then lived in London and didn't feel the need to learn. Recently started learning in an auto - oh my word it is so easy! My instructor said after my first lesson that I was a good driver and I hadn't driven for years. Have convinced my husband to buy an auto soon as we need a new car and obviously I haven't been able to keep up my lessons during lockdown. I don't understand why more people don't drive them

Yes - put off driving till I was 34 as I'd tried a manual at 18 and failed. Started lessons mid December, passed my test mid Feb a few years ago and it's changed my life!

I was the same, went through 3 instructors and failed to progress in a manual. I did ballet for years, so yoga, fairly well coordinated generally and just couldn’t do the bloody clutch. So embarrassing.

I cracked it with an auto, loved the instructor too which helped. He was a retired paramedic and firefighter, the man was unflappable. It took me a while to be test ready because my confidence took some work but I passed second time 38 weeks pregnant.

Driving a manual is no harder. The key is not thinking about the gears if you see what I mean. I knew someone who did find a manual really difficult it turned out no one had ever taught her the basics of what a gearbox does! No wonder it felt difficult, being presented with a control without knowing what it is would fox anyone! If an auto works for you great but a manual is not beyond anyone.

I struggled as a teen to learn manual. I was very nervous. Gave up for years then passed in a manual at 25 first go.
We had an auto courtesy car before Chris and I absolutely hated it, couldn't wait to get back to a manual. Felt so out of control. It will be a sad day for me when everything is automatic.

Learned in a manual, was brilliant in lessons but failed the test 5 times. Had two lessons in the automatic and passed in an automatic first time.

I’m agog at the number of people who can’t drive a manual because they couldn’t figure out the gears

I’m truly not being catty or nasty, just genuinely shocked. I don’t know anyone that can only drive an auto. I found the gearbox and clutch quite instinctive when I learned at 17/18. What is it that people struggle with? I know it’s hard imagining not being able to do something.

I wonder if it’s equal across the sexes.

Anyway, as you were. Just came with a late night pondering. And before anyone tries to 🔥 me, again, not being critical.

We didn’t all start learning as teens. And some of us are great at coordination but struggle with clutch or gears. Everyone’s different. That’s okay.

I guess @Ileflottante some people struggle with it because we're all different.
I instinctively find foreign languages easy, or music, but many people don't.
I don't ponder why they don't find it instinctive or easy, I don't say anything to them when they mangle a word they've literally just heard or sing a completely different note or get the rhythm all wrong.

I know people who can only drive an auto, I have friends with PhDs who can't drive at all. I know people who can drive very well and only needed a few lessons and maybe aren't very academic.

I know lots of colleagues, over 100, used to see them all driving to work back when we did that, don't know if their cars are auto or manual, not the kind of thing to come up in conversation in my office, how do you know you don't know people who can't drive a manual car? And what with you being so agog I'd probably have kept it to myself around you if it did come up.

Fwiw I don't think lack of driving ability or confidence is equal across the sexes but have no idea if it's due to how we are made or societal influence or a mix of both.

@Ileflottante.
The only person I know who is only qualified to drive zn auto is my 75yr old Uncle, and he passed his test in America which is mainly autos.
I was quite happy driving a manual but health reasons meant I got an automatic, its a motability car, and its just so much easier, aswell as meaning my pain is much less.

Very interesting to find out there’s loads who have struggled with manual cars.
It’s mainly gears and clutch which I have struggled with, stalling a lot which then makes me frustrated and anxious before lessons. Hence why I stopped, I was 18 when I started. I just don’t want to go through all that again to get nowhere. I think automatic seems to be the right thing for me as of many others.
I know my uncle drives and learn in a automatic and he finds it very easy compared to a manual

We didn't even try DD1 (with dispraxia) in a manual she wouldn't have had a hope. She passed first time in an automatic.
We are going for automatic with DD2 when the time comes as she also has coordination issues.

Yes, me.

Tried with a manual with 3 different instructors.

Automatic - took a two week intensive course, only just failed test, passed easily second time.