To ask how hard is it going from automatic to manual driving?

[AngeloMysterioso]

I’ve been driving around 4 years now but am only qualified to drive automatic- when I started learning both my car and my husband’s were (and still are) automatic so it didn’t seem to make sense having lessons in a manual if I couldn’t practice in one and wouldn’t be driving one when I passed.

I’m at a point in life now where I’m considering a career change and looking at pathways to becoming a paramedic- however one of the basic requirements for any entry route is a full manual driving licence including C1 vehicles.

My issue now is the same as it was when I started driving- when I was learning to drive automatic I got a lot of practice in between lessons in my own car which definitely helped me to pass my test, and even if I have manual lessons now (and that’s putting to one side how much they cost, my auto lessons were £45/h four years ago!) I don’t have a manual car to practice in, we’re not in a position to replace either of our cars and even if I pass I wouldn’t be driving one any time soon to keep the skill fresh.

Just not really sure what to do here?

Well if you want that job you're gonna have to do it

If you don't have access to a manual car you'll need to pay for lessons

Don't forget, you are not learning from scratch. You will already have driving skills, you will just be learning about how the gears work, and how to use them

You can hire manual learner cars for under £20ph to practice the gears. I learnt in a manual but have driven automatics for ten years. If I have to use a manual for work it takes a few minutes but then it kicks in again. I think you’ll be surprised how easy tears are to pick up since you are already a driver.

I did it. It was quite difficult to begin with and I took a few lessons. As someone said you have a lot of driving skills already and once you have mastered the gears it will be easy to pass your test.

Plenty of people pass driving tests without practising in between lessons. Plus you already know almost all of it, it’s just the gears you need to get your head round. I think it will be fine.

I never practiced outside of my droving lessons because my partner at the time was an anxious mess and would just piss me off with yanking in handbrake. Still passed my tests with no issues.
You already have driving skills, I am pretty sure gears will be no problem after a couple of goes.

I grew up abroad and passed my test on an auto. I then learnt to drive manual about 4yrs later. Strangely, there was nothing on my licence to say I'd only passed on an auto and no requirement for me to sit any further tests!

Looking back, I wished I'd had a few proper lessons because having a boyfriend 'teach' me was a nightmare. You already know the basics- indicators, mirror checks, steering wheel, road positioning etc so it doesn't take as long as a complete novice.

Can you DH drive manual? Any relatives with a manual that would help you/let you use it after some lessons? I know you don't have the means, but buying a manual car seems the best option so you can keep driving it for practice. Otherwise, you'd be paying for lessons all the time.

Buy yourself an old banger manual car to practice in? Sell it when you’ve finished with it and you’ll probably get most of your money back.

You should only need a few lessons to focus on using the gears prior to the test. You can put money to the side over time to cover this. You just need to decide if the course is definitely something you want to do, and if it is then get it done.
Remember that you will need to have an instructor or someone over the age of 21/licence over three years if you are driving a manual along with valid insurance.

I learned to drive in a manual car, that's how I passed my driving test, and that's what I've been driving for most of my life since then.
It took me quite a while to learn how to change gears when I learned how to drive. I had to practise a lot. It's not easy for everyone, but as soon as I had learned it, it became natural.

I don't know what it's like going from automatic to manual, I'm sure it's very easy for many people, but I think it can be challenging for some.

Good luck and drive safely!

I’ll tell you now, it’s hard 🤣 20 years driving a manual, last 2 in an auto. I bunnyhop for the first few mins in a manual 😳 and I’m obviously an excellent driver 🤣

Not quite the same but I've just gone back to manual after driving an automatic for about 6 years. I'd say it took me about a week for my brain to fully grasp the change.