Switch to auto or continue with manual?

[Lunalara]

Hello lovely Mumsnetters,

I have worked on my mental health, and now I am in the process of learning to drive. Problem is I really don’t know what to do. I have had around 20 hours of learning in a manual car, and while the gears are a lot more smooth when I am driving, I still struggle with them in some cases. For instance, I don’t understand gears and hill starts.

I have two people advising me two different things. My instructor thinks I can learn in manual, but it will take longer than others. On the other hand, my boyfriend thinks I am limiting myself by considering the switch. He himself drives manual.

Could you give me some advice? I am putting off booking the practical test because I don’t know what I should go for.

Can you afford an automatic car?
Can you find an instructor for automatic cars?

If the answer to both of these is yes, then why not learn in automatic?

The main benefit of learning in a manual is the scope it gives you to drive any car, but there are more and more automatic vehicles for sale now. The exception would be if you need to be able to drive different vehicles for work.

Driving an automatic still gives you more freedom than not driving at all.

This is where things get difficult. I am not in the best financial position, but I thought I would make up the money in lessons.

Just to add - I misread your post and thought your BF drives automatic.

This just adds the dimension that you wouldn't be able to drive his car. Only you and he will be able to decide how important it is that you can drive each other's cars.

Electric cars are all auto. Posher brands have been mainly auto for years. I think 25% of new drivers are now taking their test in an auto. I think manual is very rapidly becoming less important.

I reckon the effect of doing auto only is mainly going to be in the selection of your first car. You'll have to pay more for it and can't drive your BF's. After the first few years - maybe by the time you buy your second car, depending how long you keep your first - electric cars will be cheaper and easier to find and it's going to be easier & easier to find a good auto option.

Also would you need to find a new instructor if you switch to auto?

My son has some SEN and I'd pick auto only lessons for preference, except I know a good instructor with a manual car so we are going manual.

Automatic every time

Honestly if you're struggling just get an automatic license. I've been driving years now and switched to an automatic car about 15 years ago and have never and will never go back.

Just do auto. I can drive a manual but last did 10 years ago and when we bought our last 2 cars neither had a manual cars.
This. We just bought a mini as a little run around (petrol not even electric as have no charging facilities) and even those no longer have manual option, only auto. I last drove a manual in 2018 and it was a fiat 500 hire car. I honestly don’t think I’ll drive a manual ever again. It’s becoming obsolete unless you’re a classic car enthusiast. If that’s not you then just do auto.

If you’re going to buy a car straight after you pass have a look on auto trader for automatics so you know the realistic price. It’s likely thousands more vs a similar manual model. I’m not sure saving on automatic vs manual lessons would amount to the same price difference tbh. I would still go for automatic- I was a nervous driver and passed in manual. Now I’ve got used the automatic I wouldn’t go back. I would still fork out for an automatic each time I got a new car. But it is more expensive in the long run.