AIBU to give up and switch?

[FutureDriver]

Been having manual car lessons for close to a year. Gear changes aren’t quite smooth when changing down quickly e.g for turning.
Got my second test coming up but not quite confident I’ll pass.
AIBU to switch to automatic lessons if I fail? It’s one less thing to think about.

Yes.

I'd keep at the manual. It's something that becomes smoother and instinctive over time.

Have you had the same teacher all this time?
Why are the gear changes quick when turning? Do they not give you advance instructions that you will be turning eg the next road on the left or whatever? Would a change of instructor help?

Automatic cars tend to be more expensive to buy.

God yes change to a manual, they're like driving a bumper car, so much less to think about.

Sorry meant automatic (got DH in my ear telling me about his adventures cleaning out the fish tank, I was trying hard not to say go away, I don't care)

@usernameshistory

I'd keep at the manual. It's something that becomes smoother and instinctive over time.

That may be true but I don’t have ‘time’. Nobody to practice with so every hour in a car I have to pay for. I need to drive to work + there’s a huge backlog with covid. I’m not a teenager with all the time in the world , mummy and daddy paying for lessons and free practice.

Woah, escalated quickly.
If you want to drive manual, do it.
If you want to drive automatic, do it.
Simple.

Yes, switch. Automatic cars are just as reliable as manual cars nowadays; and honestly, considering electrical vehicles are the future I’m unsure why anyone learning to drive over the next few years would bother to learn what will soon be a redundant piece of technology.

@FutureDriver

Been having manual car lessons for close to a year. Gear changes aren’t quite smooth when changing down quickly e.g for turning. Got my second test coming up but not quite confident I’ll pass. AIBU to switch to automatic lessons if I fail? It’s one less thing to think about.

I'd stick with the gears personally, so much more choice of car when you're driving

@bonfireheart

Woah, escalated quickly. If you want to drive manual, do it. If you want to drive automatic, do it. Simple.

Well everyone around me keeps telling me to stick to manual and judging people who drive an automatic - but I just want to pass and get on with my life.

Maybe I should have reworded the question ; does anyone with an automatic face any issue.

@VitalsStable

God yes change to a manual, they're like driving a bumper car, so much less to think about.

Hi thanks - do you drive an automatic? What sort of car do you have

Automatic is soooooooo much easier! I have passed on manual many years ago, but have only ever driven automatic since. It's infinitely easier

I’m considering automatic lessons for ds2 when he turns 17. I think his dyslexia plus dyspraxic tendencies might mean he struggles with a manual.
If you switch now and it gets you through the test, you can always try manual again in the future.

We've had 3 automatics in a row. They're brilliant and I would never go back to a manual car again. Switch to auto and enjoy driving.

I drive automatic!

Best decision I made.

(I have a 2009 Nissan note which is is fab condition)

Absolutely no reason to drive a manual car ever

@OnlyonemoresleeptilChristmas

Have you had the same teacher all this time? Why are the gear changes quick when turning? Do they not give you advance instructions that you will be turning eg the next road on the left or whatever? Would a change of instructor help?

Automatic cars tend to be more expensive to buy.

Same teacher; I think he is ok but sometimes I feel that he gives directions last minute and says that I’m not quick enough to react. Like he’ll say ‘turn left here’, I’m going at 30 mph and the turning is literally in front of me so by the time I lower speed, change gear etc.

I have had a couple of cover lessons with other instructors though and they all have instructions similarly so I don’t think it’s just him

Automatic! So much easier. I've never loved driving as much as since I switched.

Don't waste your time learning manual unless you're planning on driving classic cars or something. Automatic is going to be universal very soon as hybrid and electric cars are virtually all automatic. Add to that that it's so much easier to learn, and IMO safer as you can give more of your attention to awareness around you rather than your gears, no chance of stalling, etc.

I learned automatic only in the USA, DH scoffed at me (fuel economy! Lack of control! Not as much fun!) until he drove an automatic for a while and now he says he was completely wrong about all of it and he'll never go back.

All hybrids and electric cars are automatic, so gear changes are going to be a thing of the past soon - people who have spent their lives driving standard manual shift cars may not realise this yet.

Only being able to drive automatics may slightly limit your choice of cars for the next five years or so (and they are a bit more expensive for now) but if it's a choice between spending ages and lots of money on more driving lessons and tests, and getting an automatic licence pretty quickly, I would go for that.

@ColdTattyWaitingForSummer

I’m considering automatic lessons for ds2 when he turns 17. I think his dyslexia plus dyspraxic tendencies might mean he struggles with a manual. If you switch now and it gets you through the test, you can always try manual again in the future.

Thanks - that's what I was thinking too. It doesn't really matter that automatics are expensive etc etc I;'ll probably spend more than it's wroth in lessons anyway if I have to keep retaking

Considering the future is electric cars I would just switch to automatic lessons. It's not worth the stress if you would find it easier.

If I were to have lessons it would 100% be automatic.

It's always good to have the choice just in case but my last 2 cars have been automatic and I'll never willingly go back to a manual.

I'd say do your automatic test now and then once you've been driving a while you may feel confident enough to do your manual test (you'll probably never feel the need to though)

I e been driving automatics since 1984. I've never had a problem getting a vehicle I want, never paid over the odds and modern automatics use no more fuel than a manual of the same model.
Once we are all driving electric and hybrids, manual cars will be obsolete anyway