AIBU to think learning automatic is enough for a new (unconfident, adult) driver?

[Lexibletheflexible]

Woman in her 30s (not me, I can drive!) is wanting to learn to drive. Very little experience. What experience she has had lessened her confidence more (her dad, and a BF tried to teach her in her teens/20s, she never got the gist of it).

I think that it's fine for her to just do automatic. I think the UK is heading the same way as the much of the world.

Partner thinks that she should learn manual, because automatic only will be insufficient in the long term.

Who is right?
YABU- Him
YANBU- Me

all hybrid and electric cars are automatic and they're becoming increasingly the "norm" so I don't think it's as much of an issue as it used to be.

The only time I can see it being a real problem is if she wants to hire a car in Europe. Autos are often in short supply. That may change in future, of course.

I learned manual in my early thirties. Since then I’ve never owned or rented a manual car, out of choice. So I might as well have just learned automatic, would probably have saved me a bunch of lessons & money

I'd say that it is still ideal to be able to pass in a manual as that obviously gives you the biggest flexibility, but these days, not being able to drive a car with manual transmission is not the big disadvantage that it used to be. Most of the oft quoted disadvantages of autos are historic and if it's a choice between passing your test in an auto or EV or struggling to pass in a manual then I'd say go for an auto licence. Better to be able to drive with some relatively minor restrictions than not to be able to drive at all.
I was forced to get an auto 6 or 7 years ago after an accident in which my left foot was crushed. At the time I was very resistant to the idea, for many of the reasons people have brought up on this thread. My prejudice against autos was based on a couple I'd driven in the 80s/90s but I had to eat humble pie once I got in some modern ones. My foot is a lot better now and I could go back to a manual but I won't. In fact when I next change my car it will be an EV. Even my DH who is an absolute petrol head who spent his early career as a design engineer at a well known sports car company is a convert to EVs - and they don't have a gearbox of any description!
In the years since I have only driven an auto there has been one day when it proved inconvenient. My car was in for servicing and the garage didn't have an auto courtesy car available. It was not long after I'd had surgery so I couldn't manage the manual and had to get a taxi home. But that's one day in 7 years and if I'd planned ahead better even that could probably have been avoided. Compared to not being able to drive at all for years which would have been the case if I'd maintained my anti auto stance, I think I can cope with that!

Don’t manual cars have gearboxes then? You can have that problem in either.

Less flexibility in what you can drive so if you think you will need to drive for work with pool cars and hire cars probably not such a good idea. Cars are more expensive to buy and maintain.

But overall if you are struggling with driving you are probably never going to go and work for Eddie Stobart anyway.

And even if you decided to take a life turn and become white van woman, you could always go and apply for a manual at a later date. And all the experience you have driving the auto would increase your chances of passing that in short order as by then a lot of driving would be second nature, so it would not be money wasted, although it might cost more to do two separate rather than one single.

Might be an issue when it's time to rent a car
She will need to plan ahead and accept a bigger vehicle, the smaller ones tend to be manual.

for most of us, it would have 0 impact whatsoever on employment. Being a driver possibly, not driving a manual? really not.

Many drivers manage to travel around the world and never rent a car, it's not mandatory for your holidays!

I passed in a manual but then didn’t drive for various reasons until my DH was diagnosed with brain cancer and I had to become the family driver overnight. We got an automatic, a couple of refresher lessons and I’ve now driven miles and miles over the past 15 years and I enjoy it. I’ll never drive a manual again, and it’s not been at all limiting. I’ve done loads of travelling. My teenage son is learning manual at the moment because he wants to and I’m happy to support that. He’s getting on well.

Our DS1 learnt on an automatic for that very reason.
I learnt on a manual but have only driven automatics since the mid-70s.
YANBU.

Very small proportion compared with total number of petrol cars. That means far less choice, especially if you don't want to travel miles to find a suitable one.

I've just done a search, within 10 miles of home, cost under £10k, 5 years old or less. Results are 310 cars, only 38 of which are automatic.

Yes, but manual gearboxes tend to last longer and cost less to repair/replace than automatics.

I passed In a manual in my 20s but didn’t drive for 10 years until I bought an auto! (Also unconfident!) I drive everywhere now and wouldn’t look back. I still wouldn’t be driving if I were in a manual.
Encourage her to drive whatever she feels confident in, it’s better she drive an auto than nothing!

This is true. Automatic gearbox failures are normally car killers because the box is so expensive to replace. Plus the maintenance is expensive.

You are also correct about the availability. Despite everyone claiming "manuals are everywhere these days" there are far fewer automatics available for s/h purchase, especially in low cost small cars.

You are absolutely correct. Manuals are becoming obsolete, and it’s happening quickly.

The only thing I would highlight is that the vast majority of smaller, more affordable used cars (eg Ford Fiesta, Seat Ibiza, Vauxhall Corsa etc) currently available are still manual so someone with an automatic only license would be restricted to more modern, more expensive cars which would require the necessary budget.

I learned manual and was a good driver but once I started driving automatic, I have never gone back. Even when renting cars, there's a LOT more choice of automatics nowadays than 10-15 years ago. Fuck the stupid clutch.

To be fair, this is a valid consideration. Auto boxes are more complicated and are expensive if they go wrong. It is something we considered when choosing my current car. It has a DSG box which is basically an automated manual gearbox with 2 clutches. Advantages are quick and smooth changes and improved fuel efficiency when compared to some other types but they are complex and can be prodigiously expensive if they go wrong. So yes, we did do a lot of thinking about that before buying my car and it is worth being aware of.
But if you put that issue into a risk assessment matrix it would end up in the "bad but unlikely" box and, for me, the day to day advantages far outweigh the comparatively small risk of catastrophic gear box failure. In reality, most people are going to go through their whole driving lives without ever having to replace a gearbox whatever type of cars they drive. Manual gear box replacement is not a quick or cheap job either but fortunately most of us will never need to do it. I know there's a small risk that I might be one of the unlucky ones who ends up with a huge bill if my gearbox malfunctions, but it's actually pretty unlikely - our roads are not actually littered with autos whose transmissions have failed. But even if it does, I'll still have had the benefit of years of trouble free and enjoyable driving from my car, so que sera, sera.
My next car won't have gears at all but I have no doubt there will be plenty of luddites wringing their hands over that too!

I have thought for a while that everyone should have to learn on an automatic and then do 2 years driving before being eligible for a manual test.

In education people talk about cognitive overload. I think learning gears and situational awareness is definitely cognitive overload.

I wonder how many crashes are caused by new drivers struggling with the gears and failing to look around them at the same time.

Every one will tell you fine, and maybe in ten years time it will be, but my DD can only drive automatics, and it causes issues. She's limited to what cars she can buy, and she cant borrow mine, or any of the families cars actually.

Shes started learning manual.

Thanks, everyone.

The reason why me and my partner are talking about it so much is because we are going to gift her lessons but want to just oresent her with them (so she can't refuse them!). We know she wants to learn but money is tight for her right now.

How many times do you share cars that this becomes a problem? Does she have specific requirements that she can't readily find an automatic car?

As I've said before, I've only bought older autos and don't live near any large cities but sourcing a car has never been an issue for me, from my £1200 Corsa when I first passed my test to my current 7 seater, bought at 6 years old with 70k miles and a full service history.

People trot these anti-auto arguments out often but in reality the likelihood of these issues being major problems for many people is low.

Both DH and I drive EVs (no home charger, rely on public network) and cope fine. I only have an auto license. Neither of us are likely to switch careers to ones where we drive for a living, and in the rare event I need to hire a car, I'll just have to hire an auto!

Yes but if you couldn’t drive a manual that would be different to not being able to. I also drive an auto and prefer it. I’m not saying it’s my argument. I’m saying it’s theirs and realistically, without emotion, it is sound. If you can’t wrap your head around a manual, you are less competent than someone who can.

Both DH and I drive EVs (no home charger, rely on public network) and cope fine

You're obviously made of money paying public charger rates and driving expensive EVs. Most people are not and if they can afford an electric car, they can only justify the expense because running it is cheaper.

Mumsnet is often keen to argue X, Y and Z is not a problem, which it may not be if you throw money at it. Most people can't do that.

Agreed. Insurance seems to work how it wants to at times. It’s also meant to go up after a crash but for some people, it just doesn’t. It probably is younger or newer drivers until they have the relevant no claims to prove themselves as it were.

Yes. I don't see the point in learning to drive stick unless you're obsessed with vintage cars or are compelled to as part of your job.