AIBU to think DD might as well learn to drive on an automatic car?

[whiteroseredrose]

DD is 21 and has not yet learned to drive. The plan is to learn next summer when she finishes university.

Problem is that DH and I both have hybrid cars that are automatic. I couldn't find a hybrid manual car as they probably don't exist.

Rather than have DD take lessons in.a manual car with either no practice in between or practice in our automatics, take that test and then maybe do a 'conversion' at a later date.

Would that make sense?

I drive an automatic (passed in manual 30 years ago) DH an electric. We have just started lessons and is learning manual. There’s a lot more instruction for availability around here in a manual and it just gives her more options. We think it’s useful to learn manual but to each their own. She will have my car when she passes.

Our 17yr old is insisting on doing a manual test mostly because of peer pressure from petrol head friends. I really don't think it necessary, even artic lorries have been autos for decades now!
The only benefit i can see is possibly car hire abroad/classic car ownership.
But strongly suspect the driving licence itself is in its death throes - 20 years time I think we will just summon a driverless uber on an app, no need for car ownership at all…

But in proportion, they are. Statistics show approximately 70% of cars on the road are manual, 30% automatic. So more than twice the number of manuals than automatics.

Turning to driving tests, 81% of tests were manual tests compared with only 19% being automatic tests. So four times as many people taking their test in a manual compared with automatics.

Yes, the statistics show an increasing trend of automatic tests and automatic cars, but we're still many, many years away from the statistics reversing to where the vast majority of tests are automatic and the vast majority of cars are automatic.

I would learn in a manual to give flexibility.

They're definitely on their way out, but a lot of hire cars here and abroad are still manual, so that would be my worry.

She can still practice in your car at steering, manoeuvres and parking.

Why doesn't she buy a manual to practice one as she will need a car when she passes anyway.

I have an automatic shes learning to drive a manual. Work cars etc she needs to know both

I passed in a manual but have driven automatic cars for years. DS is learning in an automatic and doing an automatic test. The majority of his friends are also doing automatic only too. I don’t believe it will restrict him in the future. It’s easy to hire an automatic both in the UK and abroad, and like a pp said, you wouldn’t be insured on someone else’s car to drive it in an emergency anyway.

I agree with you, I won't insist my kids learn manuals. I haven't driven one in ..oh, good 20 years. Automatics are all over. I also travel a lot and haven't had issues renting automatics anywhere.

But in proportion, they are. Statistics show approximately 70% of cars on the road are manual, 30% automatic. So more than twice the number of manuals than automatics.

Well naturally that's a given as automatics haven't been around as long as manuals but that doesn't make them unusual sights on the road. Nor does it explain why so many posters think manual driving is an essential skill because at some point the person driving might need to hire a car or van when those things are perfectly easy to do for automatic drivers.

Insurance company, Admiral, claims that the average premium for automatic license holders is 56% higher than manual license holders, partly due to automatic drivers showing a 46% higher claim frequency www.mcclarroninsurance.com/news/automatic-cars-and-increase-in-insurance-premium/#:~:text=Insurance%20company%2C%20Admiral%2C%20claims%20that,a%2046%25%20higher%20claim%20frequency.

I've googled this based on something I previously saw that stated driving an automatic doesn't necessarily increase your insurance but only being able to does. Hugely. Don't limit anything like this if you're able.

Completely false. In most countries automatics are the norm. The UK is very much the odd one out. Automatics are often cheaper abroad as they are standard. Always hire an automatic in the uk and have for years, never had any problem and the price difference is negligible.

I only have an automatic license. No regrets here. DP drives auto if I ever had to use his car (he's had a manual license for 7 years and has only driven auto for 6 years) so if I ever have to use his car it's fine. I don't know any of my family who drive a manual either tbh. I managed to find a first automatic car for 2.6k and it's done me perfect for 3 years no problems etc. if she plans to get a newer or hybrid car, there all mostly automatic these days. DP only did a manual license as he opened a business that required driving a manual van as they're all mostly manual but even now there's plenty auto ones!!

Driving is a basic life skill. Not driving a manual. Automatics are ten a penny now and have been for years. Never had a problem purchasing or hiring them in the UK. And in most foreign counties they are the standard.

Doesn’t really make a difference these days, OP. Yes- manual license gives her more options right now, but automatics are becoming more and more popular and if electric becomes more mainstream then a manual license will be redundant.
I have a manual license just because that’s what you did in my day, but I’ve not driven a manual (other than hire cars/borrowed cars) for almost a decade. I love automatics. The first time I drove one I couldn’t believe how easy they were and why I hadn’t done it sooner.
I guess it depends on your daughter too. Manual would be better to pass in, but if she’s not feeling very confident about learning to drive then automatic might be the better option for her. A license is better than no license at all.

I live in Australia no one drives manual. It's not even a thing here.

All this talk about her hiring vans, can you do that on a modern driving licence? I passed my test decades ago and can drive all sorts but I don’t think you can if you pass now.

You can drive vans under 3.5 tons on a normal licence unless they’ve got over a certain number of seat (that I can’t remember - maybe 9?) then you’d need a C1.

I’d say automatic. I have a manual licence and haven’t driven one in years. Also I killed my first gear box over a year or so. I think
most cars will be electric in years to come anyway.

Yes! This is absolutely the way to go. 75% of new cars sold in UK are automatic. Soon it will be 99%. Electric cars don't even need gears.

I’ve never driven someone else’s car, or been asked to, in an emergency. What are these emergencies that cause you to need to drive someone else’s car and how frequently do they crop up?

I disagree. Learn a manual and you can always drive an automatic. Learn an automatic you still can't drive a manual. Are you going to buy her a hybrid then? My sons just got his license and his budget fur a car is £3k - and that means old manuals.

A manual is a proper car. An auto is for lazy people. Sadly thats the way its going.

Very few people used to driving an automatic would ever dream of going back to a manual. I haven’t driven one for 14 years now despite holding a manual license. It’s as easy to buy or hire an automatic as a manual and I can see no reason why having an automatic license would disadvantage anyone.

I have a manual licence but haven’t driven one for years, ever since I first tried an auto I wondered why I didn’t do it before!

Yes, years ago they were harder to buy but now there are loads, I recently bought a car and there was no shortage of used autos in the type I wanted. I ended up choosing a second hand EV and am so glad I did, next step up from auto is the one pedal driving that EVs allow.

I have a friend who has a general licence but only likes to drive automatic. The garage here couldn’t find her an automatic as a courtesy car. They aren’t as ubiquitous as this thread suggests.