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 passed in a manual but now drive an automatic, but if automatic lessons had been more readily available and affordable when I took my test I would have done them. Automatic driving is so much less effort and stress, especially for a learner. As for people saying it’s good to have the option, at face value yes, but apart from if you need it for work, I cannot think of a scenario where you would need to know how to drive a manual car. I think it’s been drummed into us to think it’s ‘proper’ driving, but in reality driving is just getting from A-Z, why not do that more easily and more efficiently?

I was also going to say this about insurance. I drive an automatic but having a full manual licence not only brings my premium down but also that of my DS (who only has an automatic licence) because I am on his policy as an additional driver.

She’s 21. What does she want to do?

Ha! Yeah. Like with my TV - get up and press the buttons on the box, stop using the remote control you lazy people. Kettle? Don’t use that - boil water in a pan on the stove! Stove? Don’t use that - build a fire out of sticks in the garden! Indoor toilet? Lazy fuckers - use the outside loo, better yet a hole in the ground…

Yeah i am going to tell my youngest to learn in an auto, as not much point learning in a manual these days

I switched to driving automatics in 2010. I agree buying an automatic isn’t a problem but hiring one can be in Europe unless you are happy with a restricted choice of vehicles.

DD is 17 soon. She will learn in a manual. As well as our cars being manual, second hand cars that she will be able to afford will probably be manual!

Its nothing to do with progress as auto cars have been around for almost as many years as manuals.

Anyone with an ounce of driving prowess prefers manuals as it puts you in control of the vehicle, hence racing cars with a combustion engine have manual gears. It is merely changing demands over the last 10 years or so i.e. lazyness that has created more demand for autos, plus of course moving to electric vehicles.

Yes - manual driving is neccesary only for "petrol heads" hobbyists. It's a outdated skill from a bygone age - it's like insisting your daughter doesn't leave home without learning how to use a sewing machine.

The Government is literally banning the sale of manual cars in 10 years time. 75% of new cars are already automatic. In many countries they never really had manual cars - they've always been automatic, UK is just a odd place in that way.

I'm not disputing that. I've requested autos and been tried to be given a manual when our brand new car broke down in Spain. Not an issue for me, could be for someone who's not socially confident.

Ah was just waiting for the old “I drive manual so I have more control” bollocks”. Gosh yes, every day another story of people losing control of their automatics, crashes left right and centre. Those crazy uncontrollable autos! The stats speak for themselves! Oh wait no they don’t. What you mean is wannabe racing drivers like to pretend they are superior because they drive a manual. The arrogance and ego of people like you makes you dangerous.

Given the price different it would make more sense to learn manual. It also helps if she ever hires a car a lot are still going to be manual in a lot of countries for another while.

Lol OK I'll decide when to change gear thanks, not the car. Automatics were always seen as for less capable drivers.

A lot of people can't seem get their heads around it being fine to have an auto-only license nowadays.

She should get her motorcycle and pilot's license too really. She NEEDS these to retain essential transport flexibility. What if she had to ferry an injured dog to a vet while on a remote island in the Hebrides with only one motorcycle to get to the airfield and the plane's owner is drunk?

I wouldn’t. Autos are more expensive and there may come a time of financial hardship where she may need to get a cheap car but all the cheap ones would be manual.

also, there is so many ‘what ifs’. What if for some reason there’s a medical emergency and the only car around is a manual and you know what the nhs is like with ambulances, but she wouldn’t be able to drive a manual. I know it’s hypothetical, but I just think it’s so much better to have the option than to be limited. Remember, a license often lasts your entire life - so I think it’s best to put that little bit of extra time and money to do a manual.

The hardest part of learning to drive isn't navigating the gears, it's reading the road, noticing hazards, being aware of other road users, being aware of weather conditions etc.
Driving a manual really isn't difficult once you've got the hang of it so for me she would be limiting her choice of future cars and possibly jobs by only having an automatic license for the sake of only a little more effort and application.

Most people aren’t petrol heads, I see my car as a means of getting from A to B. Driving is just the means of doing that. I drove a manual for 20 years after I passed my test, now I don’t, I’m no less capable a driver than I was when I drove a manual. The reverse actually, I don’t need to think about changing gear and can focus on other things - like anticipating what acts of lunacy fuckwits on the road are going to commit next.

I have one child just passed and one still learning. Both manual. We have one manual and one automatic car so they will be able to use either. They both wanted to learn manual. You never know if they fancy a “vintage car” or have to drive an old works van etc at some point.

Does anyone know of anyone in real life who has had to jump into a random car not belonging to them to drive someone else to hospital in an emergency?

20+ years ago I took my automatic test because I needed a licence quickly (moving to an area with less public transport).

I assured myself I'd get more lessons and switch it over to manual when the need presented. The need has never presented.

I wouldn't be telling my 21yo what to do though. Both my kids are younger than that and made their own choices - one went with auto and one went with manual.

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

^^ This I don't understand. Who wants to work harder while driving? There's enough other stuff to be focussing on surely. I don't get why anyone would think the more difficult way = virtuous when the end result (getting from A to B) is the same.

Exactly - what a ridiculous straw man argument that was.

I'm sure someone will be on to tell us shortly that they've saved a whole car full of people due to being able to drive a manual but personally no I've literally never heard of anyone in real life who found themselves in such a situation where a manual licence was the difference between life and death.

Roads would be a better place if we judge driver's capability on relevant criteria like driving predictably and following the rules instead of what transmission they use.

In my country it would be legal to use the manual car with automat-only licence while saving lifes wouldn't it be the same in the UK?

(In our law there is mandatory basic insurance which is tied to the car, not to the driver, so the insurance wouldn't be that big deal either)

In the US now only 2% of vehicles are sold as manual transmissions. However if you have a manual automobile it's less likely to be stolen.