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AIBU?

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Original poster

To learn to drive automatic only?

127 replies

IKnowAPlace · 06/02/2022 21:29

Background:

  • in my 30s
  • learning to drive for second time - had lessons and was close to test standard at 18 then left for uni and let it slide
  • have now had 10-15 lessons in a manual and am at "intermediate" standard but have only tried one manoeuvre (think this is partly down to having a poor, bad tempered instructor)
  • wanting to drive for freedom - now have a dog, partner lives 20 miles away, job is 40 miles away (motorway driving)
  • will probably buy an automatic car once I've passed

I've had to stop lessons due to changing jobs so am now back to getting on waiting lists. I'm in two minds about whether or not it makes more sense for me to just learn in an automatic from now on but really struggling to make a decision.

Help!

Yes - just suck it up in a manual
No - life's too short, go auto

OP posts:
YesitsBess · 06/02/2022 22:05

@LemonSwan

I feel more in control and safer in a manual car.

You can control acceleration power when merging onto a motorway or slip, you can use engine breaking when driving down hill or drop down gears to increase traction when driving round corner. Gears can also give more control in snow, ice, when your stuck in a mud pit or sand etc.

Driving an auto to me is a horrible experience where the only thing I can rely on to stop myself is the brakes (and potentially the hand brake).

I would learn if you can

You know you can use the gears in an auto right? They don't just have 'drive' and 'park'.

Most have at least first and second (and neutral), mine has tiptronic so has them all but you definitely have more options than just the accelerator and brake!

PrivateParty · 06/02/2022 22:08

@LemonSwan

I feel more in control and safer in a manual car.

You can control acceleration power when merging onto a motorway or slip, you can use engine breaking when driving down hill or drop down gears to increase traction when driving round corner. Gears can also give more control in snow, ice, when your stuck in a mud pit or sand etc.

Driving an auto to me is a horrible experience where the only thing I can rely on to stop myself is the brakes (and potentially the hand brake).

I would learn if you can

Not totally sure what you mean about slip roads etc. But my automatic has hill decent for steep hills. It has snow mode for when it's snowy/icy/muddy/sandy. But then it's also got the option to manually change the gear up or down by pressing a button.

Just learn in an automatic. More and more people are. You don't need a manual.

Dogsandbabies · 06/02/2022 22:08

@CovidCorvid of course you can, but they usually cost around 50% more. I am off to Greece for half term and my manual rental is costing me £39 for 9 days. A smaller car that was auto was £110. Still cheap but why waste my money.

And actually is some smaller islands and obscure destinations automatic cars are hard to come by.

CPGyellowwallpaper · 06/02/2022 22:10

The only time I have known only having an auto licence to be an issue is if you have an accident and need a hire car. A previous car was an auto (I have a manual licence) and all 4 garages the insurance company looked to book it in at for repair after some muppet rear ended me in a traffic jam couldn't offer me an auto car. It wasn't an issue as I can drive a manual. But it is something to think about.

randomsabreuse · 06/02/2022 22:13

Manual cars are as time limited as the internal combustion engine now, so wouldn't worry about a manual test...

FTEngineerM · 06/02/2022 22:14

The test costs exactly the same except you are limiting yourself to 49% of cars on the market, whereas if you do the manual test and choose to drive auto you’re free to do so, you still always have the option.

ArialAnna · 06/02/2022 22:17

I learnt in an automatic, as I really struggled with learning to drive. No regrets at all, I much prefer having one less thing to worry about, so I can concentrate on keeping my eyes on the road and driving safely.

The only disadvantage, as others have mentioned, is that renting an automatic abroad can be quite a lot more expensive than a manual, in some countries. But imo that's a small price to pay, as I really found it hard in a manual.

LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 22:21

You know you can use the gears in an auto right? They don't just have 'drive' and 'park'.

To be honest I try to drive them as little as possible. I really dislike it and it feels like I am steering a boat around.

And fair enough if they have all these capabilities (which I clearly dont know how to operate!) . But if its clear auto drivers still need prefer to control gears then why not just drive a manual?

I do think there are plenty of times when an automatic would be better. Like if you live in central london and spend 99% of your time in stop start traffic. But I dont live there so prefer my manual Smile

Its no biggie. Just thought I would add a different perspective for OP.

MondeoFan · 06/02/2022 22:21

I passed in a manual and 5 years ago bought an auto. I absolutely hated it, used way more fuel than a manual too.
MPG was terrible.
I love driving a manual.
In your situation I'd probably just pass in auto

amusedbush · 06/02/2022 22:34

@Georgeskitchen

Automatic only licence narrows yoir options. Manual is as easy as pie once you get the hang of it 😉
That's really ableist, frankly. I tried and tried to learn in a manual - 80 hours of lessons plus frequent practice with my dad. I could never get the hang of it because I'm dyspraxic and autistic, and it was just too complicated and overwhelming - more than once it triggered a meltdown and I went completely non-verbal. Some people just can't "get the hang of it".

I can assure you that nothing in my life has been limited by my automatic licence. The choice for some people is automatic car or public transport for the rest of their lives, and I feel so proud of myself every time I get into my car and get myself from A to B. I never thought I'd be able to do that.

Minfilia · 06/02/2022 22:42

I can drive both but I wouldn’t go back to a manual. In fact I haven’t driven one since I was a teenager and I’m now in my 30s.

I have an electric car now - one day all cars will be electric so manual licences will be defunct anyway.

RosesAndHellebores · 06/02/2022 22:45

I've driven an automatic since 2010. Would never chose to drive a manual again. Have had no difficulty with hire cars (insurance linked in the UK-twice).

All cars will be auto shortly anyway.

DD is dyspraxic and learnt in an auto. A manual would have taken three times as long and cost three times as much. Offset the cost of lessons against any future hire costs.

To the person who said an auto licence limits to just 49% of cars, most people's requirements limit them to a smaller percentage of cars.

When I broke my ankle (left) I could still drive my auto.

Daphodils · 06/02/2022 22:52

@LemonSwan

I feel more in control and safer in a manual car.

You can control acceleration power when merging onto a motorway or slip, you can use engine breaking when driving down hill or drop down gears to increase traction when driving round corner. Gears can also give more control in snow, ice, when your stuck in a mud pit or sand etc.

Driving an auto to me is a horrible experience where the only thing I can rely on to stop myself is the brakes (and potentially the hand brake).

I would learn if you can

I totally agree with this. I rarely drive automatics, but when I do I don't feel fully in control of the mechanics of the vehicle at all. It's is a bit like the difference between writing your name with a pen or with a wax crayon Grin

And the rental issue is a problem in many countries too.

AgathaMystery · 06/02/2022 22:55

@OddestSock

I'm 40 and learning in an automatic :) go for it
I’m an ‘older’ learner too. Doing manual as no auto slots available but we have an automatic which I will hopefully be driving.
PastMyBestBeforeDate · 06/02/2022 23:00

I drove a manual for 30 years. I now choose to drive an automatic. The world of cars is experiencing a huge upheaval with electric motors and manual gearboxes are soon going to be history.

YesitsBess · 06/02/2022 23:01

@LemonSwan

You know you can use the gears in an auto right? They don't just have 'drive' and 'park'.

To be honest I try to drive them as little as possible. I really dislike it and it feels like I am steering a boat around.

And fair enough if they have all these capabilities (which I clearly dont know how to operate!) . But if its clear auto drivers still need prefer to control gears then why not just drive a manual?

I do think there are plenty of times when an automatic would be better. Like if you live in central london and spend 99% of your time in stop start traffic. But I dont live there so prefer my manual Smile

Its no biggie. Just thought I would add a different perspective for OP.

I hear ya!

I'm rural but learned in London, I think a lot of people who learn in autos (and manual drivers who have to use them) assume it's like a bumper car when it very much isn't. It is not good for your gearbox if you don't follow the usual 'manual' procedure in traffic, which is why they all have the low gears, I had this drummed in to me on my driving lessons, you still start in first!

Also, flappy paddle tiptronic is awesome and super fun.

YesitsBess · 06/02/2022 23:03

I may have just realised I'm a huge automatic gearbox nerd.

etulosba · 06/02/2022 23:04

I feel more in control and safer in a manual car.

You can control acceleration power when merging onto a motorway or slip, you can use engine breaking when driving down hill or drop down gears to increase traction when driving round corner. Gears can also give more control in snow, ice, when your stuck in a mud pit or sand etc.

When did you last drive an auto? 1975?

Modern autos do have engine braking and you can manually select the gears if you really want to.

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 06/02/2022 23:05

IME it makes it hard to rent a car in the UK if you don't drive manual. I don't know about other countries.

RosesAndHellebores · 06/02/2022 23:07

I don't know what sort of auto's you all drive to find them so awful. Ours are awesome, even dd's little one.

Thismummyrunstheshow · 06/02/2022 23:11

This was me over 10 years ago, best thing I ever did. Auto all the way.

Plus now, auto cars aren't as rare as they used to be.

Lovinglife45 · 06/02/2022 23:12

I passed my test in a manual and have driven manuals and automatics over the years. I like the fact that I can drive both types.

As posters have stated, automatics are common and if you feel more confident in one, then why not?

RosesAndHellebores · 06/02/2022 23:13

I feel far safer driving an auto. All my attention is on the road rather than the gears

LemonSwan · 06/02/2022 23:15

These are making me chuckle.

Both exactly how I feel when I drive auto..
assume it's like a bumper car when it very much isn't.
&
a bit like the difference between writing your name with a pen or with a wax crayon

I think if your going to drive auto OP then yes you should learn auto. Auto is clearly an art in itself and instead of gears you learn about modes and flappy paddles?

And as much as some drivers can seemingly switch between the two without issue my DP being one, although I would argue he also drives the manual like an unstable bumper carWink ; it seems I am not the only one who is unsettled by the switch.

erinaceus · 06/02/2022 23:15

Have a lesson in an automatic car, and see if you find driving easier in it.

I am another one who found driving in an automatic car much easier.

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