Licence to drive manual going out of fashion?

[dressforsuccess]

So many cars these days are automatic, is there still any point to go for manual?

Probably not, as the move to electric and hybrids mean there won't be many manuals to buy (except second hand). I think it's currently a useful skill to be able to drive a manual, but since I bought a hybrid I'm a more relaxed driver.

Hiring a manual in mainland Europe is cheaper. Most manual cars in the UK are cheaper. Going forward, most cars will be hybrid or electric so will be automatic.

It’s up to you really, it’s not pointless to learn on a manual, but you’re not going to be hugely disadvantaged if you learn on an automatic. I would just do what you prefer.

I can only drive auto and been driving for 8 years, never caused me any problems :)

It's no more expensive to learn a manual and then you can drive anything so I probably wouldn't restrict myself.

I have a manual licence. It’s was handy at work as some vehicles were manual. All autos now. I think insurance is bc marginally cheaper if you have a manual licence. I drive an automatic now and don’t think I’ll go back tbh.

I don’t hire cars abroad so not an issue. There may occasionally be times that you’d like to use a manual, hiring a van for example or borrowing a car. Generally though it makes no difference day to day.

I’ll probably just put my kids through test on an automatic and then if they want to do manual later on they can.

Not yet.

Both my DC who passed this year passed in a manual car.

I was discussing this with my 15 year old last night. Wondering the same and whether by the time she learns it'll be less of an issue opting to learn in an automatic.

I’ll probably just put my kids through test on an automatic and then if they want to do manual later on they can.

Why potentially take two tests when one is easy enough to do and will suffice?

I agree with this in principle. But I suspect the reality is that not having to learn to use a clutch makes the path to a test quicker - fewer lessons and less practice needed, basically.

I’m a manual licence holder but, like PPs, I haven’t driven anything but an automatic for years. Can’t be arsed with the third pedal and the gear stick anymore!

I've encouraged my dc to learn manual (and sucked up the cost of the extra lessons) as I don't think manual cars will disappear any time soon. At the moment it is a useful life skill, like being able to tie shoe laces. And the 'cheaper' second hand cars they will buy are likely to be manuals.

One of my dc struggled and gave up. When they are ready to try again, they may go for automatic rather than not be able to drive at all. But then that's not likely to be for another few years, anyway.

I think most of the MN parents buy their DC brand new EVs so threads on here may be biased towards automatic as no one will want to be seen to have DC that drive cheap manual ICE cars.

We both have automatics so was going to have both my DCs learn automatics only. Then I saw the Moneysupermarket guy say that insurance is higher for drivers with an automatic only licence because it is assumed that they are worse drivers. (The only people driving automatics in the past were people who had failed to pass on a manual). I now have my son learning on a manual, but he will drive my automatic once he passes.

I think it’ll be faster/ cheaper to learn in an automatic as learning clutch/ changing gears takes more time. Driving lessons are v. Expensive now. I’ll drive an automatic so can practice in my car too. It does depend on whether instructors driving automatics become more prevalent over the next few years.

Truly amazed anyone wants to use obsolete tech of balancing clutch etc. I felt old fashioned in the 1990s.

Learning to drive an automatic is easier. There are very very few cars that are manual now or are a bit older. I have hired cars all over the world and only hired automatic with no problem and for not much more money of at all. I wouldn’t bother.

I tried to learn in a manual just couldn't grasp it mainly due to my dyspraxia.

Failed a few times then took my test in an automatic and passed.automatic all the way for me it's the future but manual will be around for quite some time for those that prefer them.

Unless you're someone who struggles to learn a manual, I don't really see the point in not.

Probably won't make a difference (although I believe insurance is cheaper if you have a manual licence, even if the car is automatic) but why deliberately limit the skill you're learning if you don't have to.

A teenager looking for a really cheap car after they pass their test may have more options if they can drive both. And the more options you have the better.

But overall I don't think anyone would have any real problems if all they could drive was an automatic.

We got a new car 2 years ago. It's a manual ICE because that was cheaper than most alternatives.

Although automatic is more common now, I'd defiantly suggest my DC's do a manual test.
Hire cars are cheaper in manual when you go abroad, manual cars tend to be cheaper in buying, older cars that are typical for new drivers tend to be manual,
If you do manual you can drive both, if you do automatic you cant - its no more expensive to learn auto the manual so it makes sense to me to learn manual.

@Printedword

I much prefer driving a manual, personal preference

Not this again.

What do you have in mind for your DCs first car? Something under 3 years old, money no object? If that's the case, you might find 'no issues' with auto only.

Or are you more 'real world' where the budget is under £5k? Also if they might need to drive for a living, a manual will give them the flexibility.

I drive a 5 YO small manual petrol car that I bought 3 years ago. When I bought it, about 90% of those types of cars were manual, with a minority automatic.
I'll probably keep it another 5-10 years at which time I'll likely sell it to be someone's first car, or a second car within a family. There will probably be many similar cars for sale, all manual.

The DC have all learned on manuals - youngest Chen is learning at the moment on a manual and pleased he is as it just gives him more choice and means he has the skill as needed. We've bought him a car for when he passes (a 72 plate, little 1l) and it gave us more purchasing options. I drive a manual and DH has an auto, I like the fact I can move between the 2 as needed.

DD's first car a few years ago was an 18 yo Polo automatic, cost me £1400. There were plenty of small, cheap autos to choose from.

Bought her a slightly nicer one a couple of years ago and it was a bit harder to find one but it was when there was a chip shortage or something and there was a dearth of all second hand cars!

Yeah, even if it’s true that manuals are cheaper as first cars I reckon the saving is pretty negligible.

I just prefer manuals, have used automatics but feel more in control with a clutch pedal.