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?

I've driven automatics except for:

-When my car got rear-ended and was in the bodywork shop for 8 weeks. My insurance company provided a temporary vehicle, but the hire company only had manuals at short notice.

-When driving the work van.

• Hiring a car on holiday

• Driving DM in her car

• Driving a courtesy car whilst mine was being serviced.

• Driving DH home in his car when he injured himself mountain biking.

But yeh... my cars have been automatics for 10 years.

If your daughter wants to drive a van etc these are remaining petrol/diesel and mostly manual to boot.

So I say get a manual licence then you can drive anything

I am a driving instructor and most people generally don’t find learning to drive a manual car alongside navigating the roads difficult. I have just taken on 1 x 18 year old and one 52 year old and both can manage the pedals moving off and stopping, turning left and right, steer (that’s a big thing) and check safe after 3 lessons (4.5hrs).

Auto learners overall tend to be older or more nervous or those whose first language isn’t English. Those are really difficult to teach.

And yet I’ve never crashed/been in an accident so 🤫 you are being offensive.

And arguably it makes me even more impressive that I’ve done it despite a disability and do it well but if you need to cling to your disabilist view that we aren’t as good as you then go off sis.

I would have let her learn manual at least that way she can drive both if she wants to. By only letting her drive automatic means she can't drive manual unless she learns to. You didn't give your daughter any choice and at the end of the day it should be her choice as she is the one driving not you and people's personal preferences are different

You're right @CoffeeQueen91X I hadn't really picked up on OP not giving her daughter the choice. Parents insisting on auto only, against the learner driver's preferences seems unusual, especially from day 1. I suppose they are paying so they call the shots.

While we are considering auto for DS who has additional needs, that would only be very much working with him to decide. Not that he really knows, I think he'd be quite swayed by our opinions. But I don't think we would actively overrule him ... not until he'd failed at least a couple of manual tests, anyway!

My son is a driving instructor and gives driving lessons in his automatic car . He is always busy . When his son was 17 in 2023 he bought an old banger with gears for him and his mum and dad took him to college every day in that car giving him plenty of practice. He passed his test first time after only 8 weeks .
for your daughter I would book manual lessons and give her the chance to pass her test . If she found it too difficult in a manual car then I would change to an automatic then .

Insurance costs are higher for a new driver automatic only.

Having been stuck behind a learner driver yesterday who stalled three times at a roundabout, I'd suggest sticking to automatics :)

We have been having this exact same debate. It always comes down to ‘what is she wants to hire a car in Europe?’ Which is such a weird reason to learn manual! I have not driven a manual in 18 years. Never have any intention to again. Will never drive an old sports car either. Once my child has learnt on a manual (should they choose to) the day after they pass their test they will be using my automatic car so will not get any real world driving experience in a manual. All seems a bit of a waste of time these days.

I think the idea that driving a manual opens more options stems from a bit of insecurity.

If that is how you would like to think of it then that's your choice, but it's not an "idea" that having a manual license opens up more options, it's a fact.

At work l would say 2/3rds of our fleet are automatic and any new replacements will be automatic but they will not employ anyone who hasn’t got a full manual licence
incase you have to swap for hire vehicle or use one of the old ones

I'm auto but wish I'd persevered with the manual. Like others have said, gives you more options.

You never know where life takes you and having options is always a good thing.

You sound like you came on here for validation on auto though no matter what anyone says.
You're mostly agreeing with posts that support your thoughts.

We've tried to rationalise why we think it's a better choice.
Why talk her out of a manual?

In ten years, I believe we’ll hardly see any manual cars on the road.
You don't know this.

I think the idea that driving a manual opens more options stems from a bit of insecurity.
Insecurity over what? Being able to drive two ways as opposed to one is having an extra option.

You can always pay a bit extra for an automatic.
Sometimes there isn't an automatic available.

It just seems like too much fuss.
You and many others managed it.
Do you not think your DD can?

In my opinion, learning manual seems like more of a hassle.
Which pays off by having two over one options.

In reality, they don’t have much of an edge.
Different realities for different people.

People with a manual licence might think they’ve got the upper hand, but I reckon it’s just a mindset.
They do, as they have two options.

Sounds like you want to say see, MN agrees with auto, but If DD is questioning her choice, why not let her change to manual?

Would make sense if it was the other way round and she was limiting herself.

My husband can only drive automatics, due to an issue with his leg. Every time we need a new car we've had restricted choice and the prices were always higher. He couldn't apply for quite a few jobs which all required full manual licence. When our children were learning to drive (manual), I was always the one going out on drives with them as he couldn't. There were also many occasions when we couldn't get a courtesy car, as they didn't have auto available. Yes, it has been limiting and we both wish he could have got a manual licence.
But you may be right, things are moving towards electric so it might not hinder your daughter as much.

When I stay at my friend's house, I can drive her car. When I visit my in-laws in another country, I can drive their car. When we're out at a function and I'm not drinking, I can drive people home in their car if plans head that way. Basically I'm saying that I am able to drive in any situation because I can drive any car. I would hate to be limited to a particular type of car when there's no reason for it. Is it that you think your daughter would struggle to learn manual? If not, then I can't understand why she'd deliberately limit herself.

I’ve done the same. My DD is very anxious and I just sensed it would all be too much for her. She has her own little automatic car to practice in and she loves it.

We insisted DS1 and DS2 learned on manual cars as this gives them a choice.

DS1 found the low gears hard to begin with. He passed first time, was a little shit over actually learning to drive, but now zips around and enjoys the freedom (buses don’t run all night where we are so helps with his journeys to/from work just like we said). DS2 passed on third time (he was absolutely gutted when he failed the first time), I think he’s the more considered driver.

Do you live in the UK? In the UK you are only insured third party to do that so people only drive their own usually.

I can only drive automatics due to left foot problems too. It doesn't make any difference as my children also drive automatics. I don't find it limiting at all.

We do know that we are moving towards electric and hybrid cars, which are all automatic. So I think it's pretty fair to say in 10 years we won't see too many manual cars.

Depends what you can afford in terms of insurance. A lot of youngsters drive oldish cars because insurance is so extortionate.

Hardly & too many are not the same.

Because the older, cheaper cars are manual so who will be finding her expensive automatic? If you then crack on!

There are plenty of older automatic cars around nowadays.