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?

Its more restrictive, if you pass in a manual you can drive any car, if you pass in an automatic you can only drive an automatic.

Automatic cars have higher insurance rates. I think drivers who can only drive automatics also face higher insurance.

I think it makes sense

My insurance didn't increase when restricted to automatic. I don't think insurance companies even ask.

Easier to pass means not as good a driver. I’d want my children to be better safer drivers. Also more expensive in the long run.

I learnt in auto because I’m dyspraxic but my dd is doing manual.

@flawless234 One of mine has already passed their test and one is learning. Definitely learning on manual, as it may be years before they can afford to buy themselves an electric car. Little run around we have is petrol 09. So it will depend on when your child will be in a position to buy an electric car, they are expensive. They may just want to buy something cheap.

No it doesn’t.

Not unreasonable at all. Automatic is often easier and less stressful to learn. Just keep in mind it limits her to driving automatics unless she later takes a manual test.

And we have... confirmation bias

I learnt in an automatic and it’s never been an issue. If your daughter wants to join a profession where there’s driving required (police car etc) then I can see a manual being needed though.

That’s not the case, my insurance is really low.

That is true, I wanted to join the funeral service but all the hearses are manual.

Not me but a friend. Decided to go for automatic as she was a newly single parent and was obviously anxious to pass quickly. Passed last year, really struggled to find a car in budget and finally managed to find one which she could afford on finance with help from her parents. Within a couple of months she started having issues with it and it ended up being written off. She’s still not found a replacement within her budget.

Do you/Dd have a budget in mind for her first car? Have you checked what’s available within that budget?

I work in the car sales industry and particularly small cars with small engines there can be a huge jump in price between manual and auto, the gap tends to get smaller the bigger/more prestige the car but this is my reasoning for my eldest child who’s currently learning manual. Insurance, petrol and cars are expensive enough to run without paying the additional for an auto transmission but if you’re financially comfortable enough to not be concerned about that then I would stick to auto as she will likely pass quicker without the faff of learning her gears

Yes it is. Automatics are more expensive than manual whether it’s buying or renting. Insurance is more for someone who just as an automatic license than someone who doesn’t, and there are higher costs involved in fixing an automatic than a manual (excluding electric).

We have 2 automatic SUVs, but our daughter will definitely learn in a manual - apart from anything, she will want to drive horse boxes and they’re not all automatic.
I don’t know what we will do to achieve this…she’s 4 years away from it at the moment. I’d imagine we will buy a small older manual for her to drive pre test and then buy her a new automatic post test. She won’t be able to be insured on either of our cars, so we are going to have something for her to drive alongside her lessons.
I wouldn’t go for an automatic license in the first instance. If your child is really struggling to learn, then it’s a good option against not driving at all, but it’s not where I would start.

OP, I just asked my husband (expecting a similar view to mine) and he said we should just get her lessons in an automatic as realistically that’s all she will ever drive.

That doesn’t match up with my experience at all 🤷‍♀️

In any event I was referring to being not as good a driver, that’s just twaddle

See my DS is 21. Passed test 3 years ago and always driven manual cars

You can’t drive a manual car your not as good a driver as someone who can drive a manual car or an automatic. This is especially true when the reason for only getting an automatic license is because your worried you won’t pass the proper driving test or you find driving a manual too difficult.

I’m have driven an automatic the last 5 year and wouldn’t want to go back to a manual however would always recommend having a full licence to drive a manual car. Might seem a bit niche but in my line of work in recruitment we need employees to have a licence to drive manual cars and we can take people on with an automatic only licence.

It’s you’re and I couldn’t do manual due to dyspraxia thanks, I can drive very well ☺️

So you have a condition which impacts coordination and spatial awareness enough said.

I’ve just had to swap to an automatic at the age of 48 due to arthritis in my neck and down the left side shoulder. I was finding the hear changing and break were putting extra strain on an already sore arm/shoulder/neck. I am aware though that it now limits my children when they’re ready to drive as to be able to do extra hours. I have 2 children. One does horse riding and has grasped a the arm and leg movements required to ride a horse from walk to trot and canter as well as jump. She can process several instructions at a time and from what I gather, the use of arms and legs on a horse is like changing gears in a car. So I think she would be fine driving a manual. However my other daughter is autistic and gets stressed really easily, struggles with doing more than one thing at a time and has often said she won’t ever learn to drive. I do think she could possibly try an automatic and maybe be able to learn but there’s no chance she would manage with a manual. It could at least give her options other than public transport.