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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:
Nodashians · 22/10/2023 21:27

My DS is learning in
an automatic car because he couldn’t get on with a manual.

ermno3 · 22/10/2023 21:29

I have an auto only license. People told me I should learn in a manual but I have no regrets and it's never caused me any problems.

RedHelenB · 22/10/2023 21:31

EspressoMacchiato · 22/10/2023 20:07

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

This. If she's having lessons it doesn't matter what car you have.

FictionalCharacter · 22/10/2023 21:34

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.

Automatic transmission is nothing like autopilot! Auto cars don't drive themselves!

Unithorn · 22/10/2023 21:35

I think a manual to be honest as there are more options then. Automatic cars are brilliant and I don't think there's any virtue in driving a manual, but if she does one day want to do additional driving courses for work or whatever then it's worth being covered and more choice of cars. If however you think she'd seriously struggle with manual lessons then yeah nought wrong with just doing auto, plenty of people do!

MyDogSmellsTerrible · 22/10/2023 21:39

My DD started manual lessons and hated them so much she switched to automatic.

Couldn't see the point of her stressing every week to learn how to drive a car that won't be around in a few years.

She passed first time and I've just bought her a little automatic C1 which she loves.

Lackinginspiration1 · 22/10/2023 21:39

I failed four times in a manual then passed first time in an automatic - soo much easier! I’d never want to drive manual now.

Crikeyalmighty · 22/10/2023 21:45

My son did an auto license when 17 - passed- and has since done a manual in his own time

enchantedsquirrelwood · 22/10/2023 21:47

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.

I'm with this. In every other area of life, people want their lives made easier.

But not, apparently, when it comes to changing gears.

Unless she wants to be a lorry or bus driver, I can't see an issue. Vans can be electric and car pools aren't really a thing anymore and where they are will become increasingly electric. The likes of zipcar are electric.

enchantedsquirrelwood · 22/10/2023 21:48

You can also do the advanced driving test on an automatic as well, if that's something she wanted to do.

mathanxiety · 22/10/2023 21:51

Let her learn in tbe automatic.

Manual cars are dinosaurs.

IvorTheEngineDriver · 22/10/2023 21:55

Let her learn to drive on yours. I learnt on a manual years ago but have only driven automatics for 30+ years.

KimberleyClark · 22/10/2023 21:57

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.

A automatic car is really not the equivalent of a plane on autopilot!

potatoheads · 22/10/2023 22:03

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.

I've not driven a manual for about 30 years. I've not rented a car that was a manual ever. I'm not sure what this future scenario is where one would regret not being able to drive a manual. As electric cars are becoming the standard what is this need for driving a manual?

macandcheeses · 22/10/2023 22:04

Dumbo18 · 22/10/2023 20:06

Just ask her what she wants?

This.

First reply nails it.

Ask her.

XelaM · 22/10/2023 22:04

I've had a manual licence for nearly 20 years, but have never used it, as I only drive automatics. It's infinitely easier and I will never go back to manual.

Creepyrosemary · 22/10/2023 22:07

In ten years time most cars will be electric, and therefore automatic. So it's fine to not learn manuel. Jnless she wants to of course.

HaplessRhombus · 22/10/2023 22:07

I chose to just learn automatic and don't regret it at all. The price difference for automatics isn't that huge, I've never come across a car rental agency that didn't offer automatics and I've never in my life wanted to rent a van, never mind needed to!

User1786 · 22/10/2023 22:10

Manual lessons definitely as it just gives you more options for car choice and flexibility when you travel. I can’t see a reason not to take you test in a manual unless you really can’t learn to use gears. Personally I don’t like automatics but can drive them if I need to

LuluLemony · 22/10/2023 22:13

What would she prefer to do?
Also, it makes me laugh when people say oh don't learn in an automatic, then you won't have the option of a manual! I don't think people who learn automatic are trying to drive a manual, automatic cars are widely available.

KimberleyClark · 22/10/2023 22:13

I passed my test in a manual but have only driven automatics for the past 20 years. Manual cars will be obsolete at some point. She might as well learn in an auto if it’s easier for her.

PixiePirate · 22/10/2023 22:14

Automatic. Far easier to learn (and pass test) and we’ll soon all be driving automatics anyway.

Imenti · 22/10/2023 22:15

Absolutely get a manual licence. Understand what everyone is saying re the future but having only an automatic may limit her in driving cars for work, abroad, if she goes on holidays or travelling. I've driven all over the world including when backpacking and a manual licence was vital, never would have had the same experiences with an automatic licence. It won't be the end of the world just having an automatic but could limit her in experiences in life.

Having a manual licence would not have the same limitations.

balltraponthecote · 22/10/2023 22:15

My daughter's first driving test was cancelled as it was a few days into the first lockdown. She had been learning in a manual. When restrictions lifted it became very difficult to get lessons, and when she failed a rearranged test she was looking at six months wait to retake.
Both mine and husband's cars are automatics, we've had automatics for nearly 30 years, and when it became clear just how dire the instructor/driving test situation was, she decided to try for a cancellation and practise in my car. She passed next time. She now has my old car.
The plan was to do a manual test when things were less chaotic, but so far she's not had chance to. She was a bit worried as she got a job that provided a company car, but they said more and more of their fleet are automatics now. It hasn't held her back so far!

CaptainJackSparrow85 · 22/10/2023 22:17

10 or 15 years ago I would have said manual. But I think manual cars will be obsolete fairly soon, so personally I don’t think it’s worth spending thousands more on getting a licence to drive something that’s gradually being phased out anyway