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Original poster

Daughter leaning to drive in an automatic

122 replies

Areallyboringperson · 22/10/2023 20:04

We Have an electric car. It’s an automatic (obvs). My daughter will soon be 17. We either:

Get her driving lessons so she can get a licence which allows her to drive a manual;

Buy a small manual run around for her to learn in; or

Just let her learn in our automatic and then she’ll only have an automatic licence.

I’m thinking option 3 but is this unfair on her?

OP posts:
Dumbo18 · 22/10/2023 20:06

Just ask her what she wants?

therealcookiemonster · 22/10/2023 20:06

I have an automatic only license by choice... I've had no issues and going forward, manual cars will become more common.... don't think it's that big an issue personally but I am sure others will be along to give you a more rounded point of view :-)

DisforDarkChocolate · 22/10/2023 20:07

I'd just go with the automatic, now we have an automatic car we'll never go back to manual. It's so much easier to drive.

EspressoMacchiato · 22/10/2023 20:07

I’d encourage her to get a manual licence. Then she will always have the option.

JennyMatrix · 22/10/2023 20:08

Insurance is cheaper with a manual licence.

Torganer · 22/10/2023 20:09

I’m all for a stick, but cars will soon be all electric or hybrid by default, and therefore automatic. I don’t think it will hinder her.

GladysHeeler · 22/10/2023 20:10

We've done it both ways. During the pandemic we had to get any instructor we could so got a manual instructor and had to buy a manual car for dd

Second dd has just turned 17. She's doing automatic.

Delphigirl · 22/10/2023 20:14

Go for the automatic. My 17 yo is learning with a manual although we also have a small electric and frankly it is a mistake. Lessons costs a fortune and you need so many more of them, driving tests are impossible to find so if she fails her test next week it will probably be 6 months before she gets another one. Less chance of failing in an auto. And if she wants to learn manual - she could have moved on to that, any time in the future. She can’t rent a car until she is 25 so why bother with manual at this stage if you have an insurable automatic at home?

Lancrelady80 · 22/10/2023 20:15

I would get her the driving lessons for a manual. Otherwise she is going to be potentially really limited later on. What's the point in not learning "properly?"

Other option, if money is tight, is teach her in your automatic for now to at least get her on the road quickly but save for an "upgrade" to manual later.

TheHateIsNotGood · 22/10/2023 20:16

Unless your DD will be perpetually 'minted' and never has to drive a manual car for the rest of her life, then it's only sensible that she learns how to drive a manual car.

Not least because there's a bit more 'driving skills' involved - you can't really expect a car to do all the driving for you, even pilots turn off the autopilot and actually fly their plane sometimes.

MargotBamborough · 22/10/2023 20:18

I would get her proper driving lessons either way and not just teach her yourself.

I don't think only having an automatic licence is that big a deal since so many cars are automatics now, but you having an automatic car and planning to teach her in that when you're not a driving instructor isn't a great reason for her only having an automatic licence.

UndercoverCop · 22/10/2023 20:18

@JennyMatrix

Insurance is cheaper with a manual licence.

This isn't true I have an automatic licence ,DH manual, he's had his licence longer than me, although we've both men driving a long time. Neither of us have ever been disqualified etc, both have protected no claims.
We only have one car now and alternate who is the main driver for insurance.
We used to have two cars and alternate who was main driver on each, the one with me as main driver was always cheaper.
The first time I ever put DH on my insurance it went up not down.

Meredusoleil · 22/10/2023 20:18

therealcookiemonster · 22/10/2023 20:06

I have an automatic only license by choice... I've had no issues and going forward, manual cars will become more common.... don't think it's that big an issue personally but I am sure others will be along to give you a more rounded point of view :-)

Manual cars will become more common? Surely not, what with the move to EVs?!?

Jeffjefftyjeff · 22/10/2023 20:19

We had a similar dilemma and went with manual. Want DS to be able to drive in an emergency which could involve other people’s (manual) cars. Also is a small chance of needing to drive work-type vehicles (live rurally, know lots of people in countryside jobs). But agree with what people say about the future being automatic

Fuzzyblank · 22/10/2023 20:20

I’m not minted. I drive an automatic. I’m not limited.
The only skill I don’t have is changing gears. Doesn’t mean I don’t possess the skills to drive a car.

Em2ds1dd · 22/10/2023 20:20

If the plan is that you will all share the automatic then fine. But if your DD will want/need her own car then it’s sensible that she has a manual licence given the cost difference in buying electric cars.

our DD drove my automatic during her gap year, but now has an old Polo at uni, so her manual licence is vital.

PurBal · 22/10/2023 20:21

What @Torganer said

Orangello · 22/10/2023 20:22

Haven't driven a manual for 20 years now, and I travel and rent cars all over the place. Manual license is really not needed nowadays.

therealcookiemonster · 22/10/2023 20:24

@Meredusoleil oops I meant less common! sorry!

Mydogmybestfriend · 22/10/2023 20:24

Manuel cars are cheaper and better for young drivers she should learn manual

FoxRedPuppy · 22/10/2023 20:25

I drive an electric automatic and love it, and never want to go back to manual. However I would learn to drive a manual. I plan on my dc learning manual.

LittleBoPeepHasLostHerShit · 22/10/2023 20:26

Learning to drive is stressful and difficult. Why not make it slightly less so? All cars will be automatic soon anyway.

EskSmith · 22/10/2023 20:27

We had exactly the same dilemma. Dd is doing automatic. If & when she needs her own car she will either buy an automatic or upgrade her licence.
It's important to me that she can practice outside of her lessons.

Also with petrol cars being phased out manual will soon be a thing of the past.

Just a tip if your car has an e- pedal turn this off whilst she is learning. This will help her transition between the two cars.

QuillBill · 22/10/2023 20:27

Mydogmybestfriend · 22/10/2023 20:24

Manuel cars are cheaper and better for young drivers she should learn manual

How are they 'better for young drivers'?

recyclemeagain · 22/10/2023 20:29

Years ago I would've always said learn in a manual so you have the choice to drive anything once you pass your test. But as autos are becoming more and more popular I'm not sure manual licenses are as big a deal any more. I passed my test over 20 years ago in a manual. I now drive an auto and realise I would've likely passed a lot quicker if I'd not had to master the gears myself! So for my own kids I'm thinking of suggesting they learn in autos and take some pressure off for them. It really doesn't matter once you pass, autos are way more available now than when I was young.