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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

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Original poster

Automatic or Manual lessons for my son?

55 replies

lovely123 · 31/12/2021 16:40

I’m so confused since I passed in a manual car over 25 years ago but with manual cars becoming less popular in the next 8-10 years I’m wondering if automatic lessons will be better?
It will be quicker for him to learn, therefore cheaper and I’ve seen a 2nd hand auto at a good price which he can practice in, plus our 2 cami cars are automatic.
Any opinions to help me decide please.

OP posts:

Watto1 · 31/12/2021 16:42

Id go for manual lessons. He’ll then have the option to drive either throughout his life.

PotteringAlong · 31/12/2021 16:43

Manuel. Then you have the option of either.

Watto1 · 31/12/2021 16:44

Plus, although automatic cars are getting more popular, what if he needs to drive a van, truck or lorry? Not so many automatic options there.

GlitterSquid · 31/12/2021 16:46

Manual

TwinkleToesStrikesAgain · 31/12/2021 16:47

But on the other hand electric cars are automatic so that's another consideration ...

NoSquirrels · 31/12/2021 16:51

It’s better to start manual if you possibly can.

Both our cars are autos and I am rusty in a manual (& get a bit stressed!) but it’s better to have the option if you can.

chloworm · 31/12/2021 16:52

I don't think it matters either way.

Pinkmagic1 · 31/12/2021 16:54

Get him to learn and pass in a manual, then he will always have the option to drive either.
It won't necessarily take longer. Some pick up the gears really quickly. My ds turned 17 in June and passed in November after having 1 to 2 lessons a week, with practice in my car inbetween.

AlbertBridge · 31/12/2021 16:54

Manual! Gears are the easy bit.

Only having an automatic licence is limiting.

Lockdownbear · 31/12/2021 16:55

I'm sure I read they were going to drop the requirement for a manual license, to encourage driving schools to switch to electric cars which are all automatic. Also in prep for all new cars being electric by 2030.

Check out the Highway code / DVLA

Tee20x · 31/12/2021 17:01

Manual so that he can have a manual licence & have the option to drive both instead of only automatic. Also a manual car may be cheaper for his first runaround car.

Good practice.

BonnyEm · 31/12/2021 17:29

My son is 17 next year and we have considered this. Electric cars are having a massive push and although all new cars will be electric therefore automatic by 2030, I can't see the point in him learning to drive in a manual car.

Figgygal · 31/12/2021 17:31

Manual to have option of both
Ive got an automatic and never intend to go back but do drive my parents car when visit them wouldn't want to be limited to an auto license

Wombat43 · 31/12/2021 17:31

Yeah, I never thought I say this but I'd not worry about manual. My new van is going to be automatic, you can't even get it in manual. I said to the sales exec about not liking them and he said best to learn to like them because of electric cars...

withiceplease · 31/12/2021 17:39

Went for manual as DD likely to be living in HMO's as student with no home charger and I can't see infrastructure moving fast enough to make recharging easy. But I could be wrong

CovidCorvid · 31/12/2021 17:43

Automatic cars generally are currently more expensive to buy and more expensive to insure. I got Dd a 6k car Earlier this year and comparable manuals were 1k cheaper.

Justkeeppedaling · 31/12/2021 17:43

But on the other hand electric cars are automatic so that's another consideration

Electric cars don't have gears, so they are neither automatic nor manual.

Footnote · 31/12/2021 17:43

Manual. A young person might be buying used cars for some time yet.

Shmithecat2 · 31/12/2021 17:45

I'd go for manual, just so they have to option. I will never buy a manual car again, but it's very handy to have the license to drive one.

Lockdownbear · 31/12/2021 17:55

@Justkeeppedaling

But on the other hand electric cars are automatic so that's another consideration

Electric cars don't have gears, so they are neither automatic nor manual.

That may well be the reason why they are removing the requirements for a manual licence. I definitely read it was on the cards for 2022 - it will just be a car licences no distinction between manual and auto.

ChimChimeny · 31/12/2021 18:05

Also a manual car may be cheaper for his first runaround car

Our old automatic had horrific car tax compared to subsequent cars.

SevenSteps · 31/12/2021 18:22

Manual, more options later that way.

notagainnotagain · 31/12/2021 18:31

We drive electric / automatics.

But any car a teenager or young person is going to be able to buy and insure themselves will be manual.

In short, if you are rich, automatic is fine, otherwise learn in a manual.

PineappleVision · 31/12/2021 18:35

Auto. The old mantra of manual so they can drive both is outdated. Electric cars are here and will be the norm before long. Lorries and trucks will all be soon too and they are usually auto anyway. There is just no point. And I would rather free up the gears part of the brain to give them more focus for reacting to what’s happening on the road. I have found driving an auto more enjoyable and safer and wouldn’t go bank to manual now.

PastMyBestBeforeDate · 31/12/2021 18:49

I'd learn in a non-manual now tbh. You can do a manual test later if you need to. I never thought I'd advocate for not learning manual gears.

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