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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
RosesAndHellebores · 06/02/2022 23:25

I have never once felt the need to use the switch!

RosesAndHellebores · 06/02/2022 23:26

@erinaceous just derailing the thread. I hope you are well. You helped me greatly many years ago now under a different user name. I haven't seen you for a long time.Flowers

ChildrenGrowingUpTooFast · 06/02/2022 23:28

This should answer anyone who insists on learning manual or can’t handle a automatic.
motorway.co.uk/sell-my-car/guides/the-future-of-manual-cars

In 10 years time, everyone who learn with an instructor will be learning in a automatic. The instructor fleet is very new so they will change over quite quickly after the ban.

Unless you don’t plan to buy a new car after 2030, you better get used to driving an automatic.

AliceMcK · 06/02/2022 23:33

I can only drive auto, I didn’t learn in the uk, auto cars where far more common where I learnt. The only issue in the uk is you pay slightly more for an auto car but other than that I’ve never had any problems only driving an auto.

Lachimolala · 06/02/2022 23:39

I’m learning in an auto. It’s best for my adhd and dyspraxia, I couldn’t ever get the hang of a manual. Pretty soon all cars will be auto anyway. I say go for it!

Cattitudes · 06/02/2022 23:55

I was reading speculation that soon they might move to make the tests the same to encourage more driving instructors to switch to electric (and hence auto) cars.

Of course it will be useful if you can also drive a manual car in the dystopian future because it's always only some old banger from the last century with a dodgy starter motor that you can find when the zombies come Grin .

bellsbuss · 07/02/2022 00:18

I would never go back to a manual car, auto every time for me. DH says he never feels properly in control of the car when he drives mine though.

Anystarinthesky · 07/02/2022 00:21

I have an automatic car, it's so much easier to drive, I'd never go back to a manual car.

Chely · 07/02/2022 00:22

Manual, it limits your options for cars if only auto. Though with everything going fully electric it will not be needed for most eventually.

Bazinga007 · 07/02/2022 01:31

Nah learn to drive properly

erinaceus · 07/02/2022 07:21

Hi @RosesAndHellebores, how lovely! HTH Flowers

TulipsGarden · 07/02/2022 09:57

Anyone saying manual is 'easy' and they feel safer in a manual car is very, very fortunate, but that isn't the case for everyone.

I really struggled with driving. Tried learning when I was 20ish and hated it, found it impossible and didn't need to drive, so gave up. Moved and needed to drive so started learning again in my late 20s, and it took me two years, endless lessons and well over £2000 to pass in a manual. And then I never drove anyway, because I hated it and never felt in control of the car. I was reliant on my partner to take me places, and had no freedom unless public transport went where I wanted to go.

We got an auto when our manual car (which we'd had years) was written off, and I suggested we try an auto because so many people had told me they were easier. I literally drove it around the block twice, which previously would have had me white-knuckled and terrified, and I realised I was actually enjoying driving and went off on a little drive around our town. It was incredible. Two weeks later I drove 50 miles on a motorway to visit my family, which I'd never been able to do without my partner before.

I don't know if I'm dyspraxic (no other symptoms really) but there is some block in my brain about manual driving, and I would never go back to a manual.

TulipsGarden · 07/02/2022 09:58

Meant to say - I sometimes wonder how much money I would have saved if I'd just learned in an auto. Masses, I reckon.

evilharpy · 07/02/2022 10:04

@Dogsandbabies

Would you rent cars on holiday? That is the only time I drive a manual. And actually for me it is important. But for you it may not be an issue.
Many times I've rented a car within the UK and booked a manual but been given an auto. I think manual rentals are not really the norm anymore, I generally only seem to get them if I'm on my own and have rented something the size of a Vauxhall Corsa but anything bigger seems to more often be auto.
mogsrus · 07/02/2022 10:09

Have an accident, hopefully not, but the only car available to get you out of trouble is manual, awkward for you. Please learn a manual then both bases covered

SoftPillow · 07/02/2022 10:11

Automatic slightly narrows your options but not driving at all narrows your options much more.

I can drive both but much prefer automatic and in 12yrs of driving it has only caused me an issue once when I had my car in the garage and the courtesy car was manual. I managed it but otherwise would have just grabbed a taxi.

Given that automatic is becoming more and more prevalent I'd imagine it would hardly cause you any issues

SoftPillow · 07/02/2022 10:12

@mogsrus

Have an accident, hopefully not, but the only car available to get you out of trouble is manual, awkward for you. Please learn a manual then both bases covered

We've had a few cars for accidents / breakdowns. Never had any even a hint of an issue getting an automatic,

CounsellorTroi · 07/02/2022 10:16

YANBU. I passed my test (eventually, after many failures) in a manual but only driven automatics for the last 20 years. I would never go back.

hazandduck · 07/02/2022 10:31

OP, my driving experience was much like yours, I learnt manual at 17-18 and was almost test ready but I had a terrible instructor who made me feel nervous and mess up all the time and in the end I was so anxious getting in the car with him I just stopped my lessons.

I coped for years by getting the bus and relying on my boyfriend (now DH) and family etc to drive me places. Finally, at 25 I decided I needed to drive but my confidence was so low I found an automatic instructor hoping it would help me pass faster, she was the loveliest woman who when I went out with her couldn’t believe how competent my driving was and she was actually quite angry with the instructor years ago who so destroyed my confidence. I passed my test first time shortly after, and it gave me so much freedom, I’ve never looked back. I thought people would judge me for ‘just’ having an automatic licence but do you know what since then I’ve found out it’s a lot more common than I first believed. And everyone was so proud of me for actually learning to drive after years of being scared to do it.

DH and I have always said we would only buy automatic cars any way so why does it matter I can’t drive manual, the only thing it stops me doing is driving his van which I have no desire to do any way.

It rarely comes up in conversation any way, I honestly think you should just go for it OP!! Being able to drive on your own somewhere is the best feeling. And I love my automatic car - on my third now after driving for almost 8 years! (Go for a Kia 😉)

I saw Rob Beckett recently and he can only drive automatic 😂 we are in good company!

MeanderingGently · 07/02/2022 10:36

I learned on an automatic and only drive automatics. Years ago it was harder to buy an automatic car or hire one....these days, most people I know have an automatic and they are available everywhere. Go for it, automatics are lovely to drive. If you were in America, all their cars are automatic anyway and have been for years....it's the future in cars....

ZZTopGuitarSolo · 07/02/2022 12:00

@RosesAndHellebores

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.
I often wonder this when I'm on MN. We've owned maybe 7 autos since we've lived in the US. None of us has ever felt unsafe driving them, or as if we're not really in control. They have plenty of power when needed, and their grip on the road is affected far more by their tyres than by the type of engine.

We get snow about 5 months a year, and we find the autos better than the one manual we own.

We've driven up and down mountains, including Mt Washington in New Hampshire (which I do not recommend if you're scared of heights). We've driven along many dirt tracks.

I'd hate to go back to a manual.

heyitsthistle · 07/02/2022 12:02

I used to be all about that manual life but now I say sod it, go auto.

MatildaTheCat · 07/02/2022 12:10

DS really struggled to get to grips with driving but has just passed his Auto test after several fails in a manual car. As soon as he started driving the auto it just clicked thank God.

Pazuzu · 07/02/2022 12:26

Driven both as DW is auto only.

I do drive manual simply because the car I've got was an absolute bargain at the time.

Could I go fully auto? Absolutely. There may be a couple of situations where manual is preferable but honestly, 99% of people would still be stuffed in those circumstances, manual or not.

If auto makes you a more confident and happy driver, go for it.

funkylittleboatrace · 07/02/2022 12:27

I’m currently learning to drive in a automatic car. So far I’ve had 8 lessons I found a fantastic driving instructor, she only teaches automatic. I’m actually enjoying my lessons. I tried to learn manual years ago, gave up found it to hard. I have my theory test on Wednesday. I’m hoping I will be on the road by June.I wish I just had gone with automatic lessons when I was 17!