AIBU to go automatic only for daughter's driving lessons?

[flawless234]

My daughter's only just started her driving lessons, and we've opted for automatic exclusively. Why, you ask? Well, it just seems obvious to me.
A few of her friends are learning manual too, and they're clearly in the majority, which my daughter feels. But, logically speaking, and I'd be interested to know what you all think, I'm thinking that we're seeing more automatic cars on the roads these days. Plus, with the rise of electric cars, they're automatic anyway. I, for one, haven't driven a manual since 2016 since I switched to an automatic then and honestly, I'm never going back.
I've found that getting an automatic instructor is a bit of a challenge, simply because there are fewer of them. So, I'm just wondering, what's the logic behind the newer generation, or kids now, starting to learn manual? Does it really make much of a difference? I don't think it will.
In my opinion, learning manual seems like more of a hassle. You're trying to master driving and controlling the car, and then on top of that, you're learning all about road safety and everything else. It just seems like too much fuss, if you ask me.
AIBU to think that learning automatic is the more sensible option these days?

In years to come and your daughter wants an old classic car but she cant drive it, she may be cursing you! Or for hire cars in some countries. I just wouldn't want to limit the choices that we give to our children.

I’ve driven an automatic for years, but then moved to mallorca where automatic cars cost a lot more than manual, including to hire. So I now drive a manual and am very thankful I learnt in a manual. I do think it’s more useful to learn in a manual as you can then drive a variety of vehicles. Just learning in an automatic is still a bit limiting.

How much do they have to spend on buying a car? Cheaper, and usually older cars tend to be manual. Nothing wrong with having an automatic-only licence, it just decreases options.

I think my DH would agree with you, but I’m in the manual camp. It just keeps all the options open moving forward.
If your daughter struggles with manual and it becomes clear that’s going to be a real barrier, then switch to automatic only. If she is fine with manual, then why limit her?

I went for manual so my kids wouldn’t be stuck if they had to drive a company car and it was manual. Manual cars are cheaper to rent and buy so it’s good to have that option.

Her child isn't a 2 year old, she's clearly part of the decision making process, and that decision is to learn in a auto. In years to come if she's that desperate to drive a classic car then she can learn.

It's not her mother limiting her future choices. 🙄

My only hesitation would be that if yout daughter is after buying a cheap secondhand car after she's learnt the she's limiting her choice, but I'm not sure it's that big a deal.

Automatic only, by definition, is limiting. What if she wants to travel in the future and automatics are not available. Or wants to drive an older car? Or farm equipment? I'd still teach my kids to drive a manual.

In my view it's best to learn manual, you can then drive both automatic and manual, it gives options.
I did struggle with my driving test, and asked my mum if I could switch to automatic as thought would be easier. She wouldn't let me 'easier isnt always better etc' and I'm so glad she didn't, I have been abroad and only manual car options available, our work pool cars are manual etc, I would have definitely struggled if didn't have a manual licence.

The only thing is that it can be a struggle to find a decent cheap first car if you’re limited to autos but presumably you’ve also done the maths and worked out that you can either afford to buy her a decent automatic or insure her on yours? If yes then may as well do automatic only. Manuals are a dying breed and it is easier. I know there’s the hire car thing but that wouldn’t worry me as it’s so expensive for under 25s that I’m guessing she’s unlikely to hire one anytime soon and then also all the major hire car cos are moving more towards electric vehicles anyway which are all autos. But at 17 she should be part of the decision making process- what does she want to do?

I’d say it’s personal choice. I learnt auto only and got a few scrunched up faces when I said I did. Well my logic was that DH can drive manual so if we ever hire a car and it’s not an automatic, he can do the driving. We have electric and I do also believe that electric will be the way forward with the EU phasing out the manufacturing of petrol and diesel by 2035. This of course doesn’t mean that all manuals will become extinct in 10 years, but I feel automatic will be even more accessible than now.

Auto only is good as a last resort, for whatever reason if someone isn’t able to get on with manual it’s such a fab option. But I think it’s incredibly short sighted to opt for it when manual cars are still so prevalent. Why limit options when you don’t need to?

I think you are absolutely right that very soon manual cars will be phased out completely and automatics will eventually become the norm, but not for a while. And at the moment, cheap runaround cars suitable for teens tend to be manual. Plus as others have said, it just keeps your options open. DS 17 is learning manual for these reasons.

I agree with some points about buying a manual car as a first vehicle, as it will definitely be cheaper, which is a strong advantage. However, another point people mention is that learning to drive a manual gives you the option to hire any car. But the question is, do we need to hire a car every week? If you need to hire a car, you can always pay a bit extra for an automatic, and I think automatic cars are becoming more widely available now in Europe and in the US is mainly automatic anyways.
DH mainly drives a manual but is also comfortable with an automatic. When we hire a car in Europe, we always prefer an automatic because it’s much easier to drive. You don’t have to deal with a gear stick, which is usually on the left in the UK but on the right in Europe, and that can be confusing. I think the idea that driving a manual opens more options stems from a bit of insecurity. In ten years, I believe we’ll hardly see any manual cars on the road

Have been debating this ourselves on the basis that we only have electric and automatic cars ourselves and assumed the teens (20 and 17) be driving those in the first instance. However - 1) there are VERY few instructors for automatic cars, so given the waitlist for non automatic driving lessons is more than 6m where I live, means my kids could be drawing pensions before they have a lesson; 2) the second hand car market for electric/automatic cars is more expensive than a good, basic manual so realistically the first car they can afford to buy for themselves (or funded by Bank of mum/dad/DGPs) will be a manual; 3) adding two teens/students to the insurance on our cars will be extortionate, whereas on a little 2nd/3rd hand 10yo ford fiesta will be reasonably affordable. Oh, and 4) in the workplace or hiring holiday cars sometimes only manuals are available.

So, whilst in my head it seems to make sense to not bother with the manual test, I do actually think it’s pretty essential after all.

I have an auto only license, never had an issue! I've had a Corsa (my first car, super cheap and old) Citroën, Mini and Jaguar, so a variety of cars, every courtesy car I've been given is auto, both from the dealership and Enterprise. My close family have autos so I can drive theirs no problem. Examples are Mazda, Peugeot, VW, Lexus, Merc, Volvo and BMW. Some makes make auto as standard, ie BMW. All electric cars are auto. It's never held me back from driving what I want to drive! It is super easy, I passed my test first time within 2 months of starting lessons!

Sorry cross posted with you OP

Mine learned in manual. We now have automatic. No problem.

I agree with you. DS learnt and passed his test in an automatic. He is happy to take a manual test if he needs to. He’s not a petrol head so has no aspirations to drive old cars.

There are two obvious advantages. They are not distracted by manual gear changes so can concentrate on learning the more important skill of road awaren ss. And secondly it’s much cheaper to buy nature them in automatic cars. Because the underwriters calculate premiums on the make and model, age and sex of driver combined with statistical number of accidents recorded in that group, very few 17-18 yr olds drive automatics so the accident rate is low. This is reflected in the premiums.

DS drives an automatic VW Polo, he is on our family multi car insurance but is the main named driver on his car. He’s 21 this year so can be added to our much bigger car. By the time he is able to pay his own insurance he will be 25+ and premiums should be lower. He’s at uni at the moment so not very practical to have his car there. I use it while he’s away for short trips and work.

Automatics come into their own on long trips and he tends to get the train home and drive back to uni to bring his stuff home for holidays. We are under 2hrs from uni and it’s a really easy drive. He’s driven all over the country and done a lot of motorway driving (21 this year). It will be great when he can drive my car so we can share the driving on long trips. It’s a bit cramped in his little Polo.

I think in 2025 it makes sense to have lessons in a manual car. And if they find it tricky then go down the automatic route.

Manual cars will be around for a few years to come yet, and as per pp likely 1st cars are manual.

I had lessons in a manual and drove my dad around in the family automatic for practice. Best of both worlds as I got the fundamentals in the instructors car, but got the road miles down in an automatic and didn't have to worry about gears.

As a grown up, for preference, I'd choose an automatic car. But I've just bought a 'for me only' car that's a manual (as I won't be doing massive mileage, stop start trips, or chomping up and down motorways) - the 'family' car is automatic.

"In my opinion, learning manual seems like more of a hassle. You're trying to master driving and controlling the car, and then on top of that, you're learning all about road safety and everything else. It just seems like too much fuss, if you ask me."

That is everyone learning to drive in a manual car, you also learned this way.

Automatic cars account for 1/3 of all cars on the road, but 2/3 are manual and that is out of a total of 41.7 million cars.

Drivers who hold an automatic driving license pay more in insurance too, 43.89% more. According to Admiral, automatic license holders have 19.23% more claims than manual license holders so they charge more.

Also if you hold a manual license and insure yourself on an automatic car you only pay 5% more than the manual car version. So you are penalised for only having an automatic licence. Richard from Conquer Driving explains it.

I would never restrict them like this and considering how much insurance is for a newly passed driver, adding that additional cost will be eye watering.

DD has just passed her test, and for us it was a simple decision. Both our cars are manuals, they're what she'd be driving when she passed, so what would be the point of her learning an automatic.

That may be the case for a lot of your DD's friends @flawless234 , their parents still drive manuals.

Interesting that there's less automatic instructors in your area - in South London I found it harder to find a manual one! I think it's slightly better to learn manual - more options, cheaper insurance and can drive both but I don't think there's much in it tbh

Are you ok? 😂 We holiday abroad together, yes.