To learn to drive in manual.. lecturing DP

[Pinkflamingogo]

I'm learning to drive and have chosen to learn in a manual car. I have my first lesson this evening.

DP (who doesn't drive btw) has gone on and on on about how automatic is better, how manual cars will soon be a thing of the past etc.

I was obviously struggling to hide the fact I was getting annoyed by it as he became defensive and said he just wouldn't say anything and stormed off.

I know IANBU to learn in manual but would you find his incessant droning on and on about how automatic is better, annoying?

You sound positive and optimistic about driving, so it makes complete sense to start with manual.

I got my licence on manual, but wasn't a confident driver and actually stopped driving for several years. Lately I restarted with automatic one and it makes all the difference for me.

I'd recommend starting with automatic transmission for those unsure or with bad experience from learning to drive, as it really is a bit easier, one less thing to worry about, but you really sound optimistic enough to do just fine with learning on manual

He doesn't/can't drive?
Then imho he's not entitled to an opinion !!

Go for a manual licence - as PP have said, it just makes things simpler.
Only being able to drive an automatic can be quite limiting.
Unless you live in the US of course 😁

Campervans and motorhomes tend to be predominantly manual, if that’s ever something you’d like to do.

As a person with ADHD, I find a manual a more satisfying drive than DH’s automatic which doesn’t give my hands enough to do.

I also prefer the instant responsiveness you get with a manual.

Personally I’m inclined to prepare for a dystopian Mad Max future just in case.

As is hiring a large van for shifting furniture etc. And that’s not likely to change as quick as it will for electric cars.

At the moment yes pass your test with a manual & get a full license (unless you have a particular difficulty in doing so eg disability or coordination impairment etc) - in 5 or so years time i think it might be a different argument with the theory of EV only.

License categories may also have to change in future and there may no longer be a reasonable need for an auto vs manual category. Though i don't see that happening for a long time.

I have dyslexia and dyspraxia so learning in an automatic was an essential for me.

Everyone saying you “might” need it, no, you won’t.

Well, she may, even if you haven’t.

So far.

I learnt in an automatic only, I have adhd and autism and found clutch control and the gears to just send me over the edge into panicked meltdowns.

Driving an automatic makes me a better and safer driver.

However if you can learn in a manual and you feel happy and safe to do so then I would go for it, that way you can drive both. Manual is still really common in the UK.

I will say I do disagree with PP comments, it’s not been my experience that it’s harder to find a second hand automatic, rental cars nor have I found insurance to be more expensive. And I’m definitely ‘a real driver’ (what does that even mean lmao?).

Glad to hear your first lesson went well, hopefully you’ll be on the road by the end of the year!

Me too! Also ADHD and Autism. Auto was the only way I was getting on the road ha!

@Spectre8 I quite agree.

I've been learning in a manual for the past year. I did a 1k crash course at the beginning which included 25 hours of driving and 10 hours of theory inc the test.

I've spent a further £700 on lessons with two different instructors. I have to block book 10 hours at a time which is £350 and instructors cancel or go on holiday so I'm never doing regular twice weekly driving to get used to the manual. My first instructor after the crash course had road rage and got in to a fight with another driver on a roundabout! (I wasn't driving the car)

I can drive but it's a slow process to get that natural driving ability and a lot of money. Once I've used this last block of 10 hours I'll be switching to an auto instructor and just passing the damn test as my theory runs out in October.

Good luck, you're doing the right thing by starting with manual and I hope you have better luck than I've had! So much of it comes down to your instructor, their availability and the method that is best to teach you.

@gertrudemortimer

'did a 1k crash course at the beginning'

Mine was free!!!

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles how on gods earth was it free!?

I loved my crash course but my instructor was a bit of a dose. She took me to hers to meet her cats and kids, had me double parking in the busy streets of Bradford all week. I even drove around with one of her other students for 2 hours! She helped me get confidence though because I knew she wasn't paying any attention and I could kill us all she was on the phone constantly!

I just pulled out without following the 'Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre' routine!

Obviously droning on about it is annoying. But he is right about learning in an automatic. It is easier to learn (thus easier to pass), the majority of new cars are automatics (and 100% of new cars after 2030, if they don't move the target), and there is no difference in insurance.

@TwoLeftSocksWithHoles

Everyone’s personal choice naturally, but I always think learning to drive in manual is the better option, as it allows you to drive both manual and automatic cars.

You’re restricted to only ever driving in automatic if that’s all you learn in.

And the chances of manual cars soon becoming a thing of the past is rubbish. Even if all cars did eventually go automatic, it’s not going to happen anytime soon as he keeps suggesting.

And the price of automatic cars well exceeds the price of a manual currently. Why limit your purchase options to just automatic cars, when you can look for both when buying and find something suitable within your budget?

Tell him to give it a rest already

As others have said, you're better off passing your test in a manual car which allows you to drive either a manual or an automatic car. If you pass your test in an automatic car, you can ONLY drive automatic cars and if you wanted/needed to drive a manual, you'd need to take another test. Almost everyone learns and tests in a manual car, you'll be fine :)

Same here.

Really wasn’t keen on the automatic at all.
Was glad to get my manual back too!!

Tell him to shut up or you’ll stick a gearstick up his arse. What does he know about it anyway? I’ve been driving 30 years and been driving an automatic for 2.5 years. I love it and wouldn’t willingly go back to manual, but I like having the option.

I do too.

I live in a flat. So unless my housing association get some charging points put in, it would be impossible for me to own an EV. (I won’t hold my breath. We’re still waiting for new windows and new bathrooms that are long overdue).

Unless I can get an extra big long extension leading from the parking area and up the stairs or through a window to my 1st floor flat, that’s 100+ft away, to plug it in. Fairly sure that would be a H&S risk though….🤣🤣

It's totally your choice and it does give more flexibility but I have noticed it's a lot more common for teens to learn in autos now and to be honest, it is so much easier, not sure I could go back to manual.

Good for you!!

I think you’re absolutely doing the right thing by doing all these things for yourself and trying widen your experience in life!!

Sod him the miserable fucker. It does sound like he’s jealous and insecure. He can see you’re improving your life and he’s probably scared you’ll up and leave because you’re doing better and having more fun without him!

Ah your update tells all. Yes you are quite correct...he's threatened. You have grown up and you're not as impressionable or malleable any more. He still wants some control over you so he mansplains your choice to you, even though he himself can't drive, in the hope you'll take the less skilled option of driving automatic...which isn't such a blow to his ego.

Driving manual is a buzz. Bash on!

Unless you want to drive a lorry or a bus, your DH is right. Manual cars will be a thing of the past - EVs and hybrids are the future and are all automatic.

The only reason I'd learn on a manual right now (well, two reasons) are availability of instructors - most still have a manual; and if someone was going to give me, or give me the use of, a manual car after passing.

My ds took his test on a manual but drives my hybrid so will probably never drive a manual again. If he buys is own car it will be an automatic.

My DH passed on a manual but has only ever driven an automatic.

My mum passed on an automatic back in the Dark Ages and it's never been a big issue except that she had a small choice of second hand cars to buy. But that isn't the case now.