What would you do

get your bro to take you out for a practice session then do the test?

it's an auto test, and as condescending as it sounds it's hardly difficult.

also, seriously do a manual test, then if you want you can jump straight into auto's and never drive a manual again, but it'll be reassuring to know you can if you have to. i don't see any reason to do an auto only test short of physical disability.
 
Firestar_3x said:
It can be, because i seem to recall some DSG cars are actually registered as manual.
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I’ve never seen a DSG registered as a manual. I have seen some early E36 SMG cars registered as manuals though. I guess the confusion was in the name, Sequential Manual Gearbox.
 
I remember really struggling with manual gearboxes when I first started learning (clutch control to be precise)

I persevered and am now a professional driver and have been so for the past ~ 28 years(!) ironically nearly all the vehicles I drive at work are automatic as is my car.

You don’t forget how to drive manuals, but imo just having an automatic license restricts you needlessly.
 
I wish I'd never bothered to learn manuals. I found it very hard and now I drive automatic all the time anyway.

Get a new automatic instructor. Book your test. Gl.
 
billysielu said:
I wish I'd never bothered to learn manuals. I found it very hard
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It really isnt very hard at all, it's a very easy and useful skill. Short cutting bits of learning to drive is a bit odd.

By all means buy only automatics once passed but its really weird how people find this so hard

The other day I had my car in and they apologised and said due to an issue they only had a manual loan car available. Just imagine having to say oh sorry I'll have to rebook as I can't drive it!
 
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As above, learning to drive isn't cheap. It's not like automatic only halves the time or cost and it restricts massively once passed.

I have an automatic now and love it, I have no plans to go back to manual anytime soon. But I like the flexibility of being able to drive a manual because from time to time I might need to; loan cars, work cars etc.
 
[TW]Fox said:
It really isnt very hard at all, it's a very easy and useful skill. Short cutting bits of learning to drive is a bit odd.

By all means buy only automatics once passed but its really weird how people find this so hard

The other day I had my car in and they apologised and said due to an issue they only had a manual loan car available. Just imagine having to say oh sorry I'll have to rebook as I can't drive it!
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I find this pretty annoying tbh. Just because you find it easy doesn't mean it's easy for everyone.
I don't accept that driving manual is a necessary part of learning to drive, if anything, it's skipping a totally useless redundant archaic type of transmission which you'll never need so why bother.
 
A lot of comments are going against automatic lessons/license. Reality is that for some people it's ease of use that they chose automatic. A car is just for A to B for them. Also automatic makes it easier for nervous or drivers lacking in coordination.

I know my girlfriend isn't interested at all in driving and weirdly she gets bored and looses concentration while driving on straight bits of road. I don't think she will get any better at driving but if an emergency arrises then she can drive.

It is a pain paying more for an auto car and the lack of choice too. But it's far more easier and relaxing to drive.

I think we should be doing manual license if you can then go off and drive an automatic once qualified if you want.
 
sja360 said:
Also automatic makes it easier for nervous or drivers lacking in coordination.
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Giving people an easy way out because they are nervous is detrimental to road safety. Being a nervous driver is at worst dangerous and at best inconvenient to other road users. Stick at it, it's not hard and you'll eventually wonder what the fuss was about with the added bonus of gaining more experience making for a safer driver.
 
[TW]Fox said:
Giving people an easy way out because they are nervous is detrimental to road safety. Being a nervous driver is at worst dangerous and at best inconvenient to other road users.
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That's a funny way of saying "manuals are dangerous and the sale of them should be banned" IMO.

Loads of people out there buying manuals because they've never discovered that automatic is easier. You could improve the driving of all those people with one single policy decision.
 
Although I never plan to own a manual as my main car again I do agree unless you have a medical reason to take your test in auto you are limiting yourself for the odd time you maybe required to drive a manual.

I taught my wife having never driven a manual before. She was a shocking driver so if she can manage it anyone can
 
When I met the wife 12 years ago she was learning in a auto and had done a good few years worth of lessons. She had some issues with instructors and at the time I insisted she learned manual, not going to lie, she struggled at first but it was well worth it as she is now, in my opinion, a much better driver for it. Funnily enough she now drives a little manual clio but more to the point she can drive anything she wants without any restrictions and if she want's to drive any of my cars it isn't an issue. Well worth learning in a manual as it will teach you a hell of a lot more about car control and how it all works.
 
I swapped due to disliking it in the manual my instructor at time did say I was getting better at it to be fair.

To me the point of driving is a) family reason b) freedom and final point is to also enjoy it.

I don't have any physical conditions that stopped me learning manual, I do suffer from anixty but have had cbt etc for that.
 
Kenai said:
It'll eventually become a relic and our grandchildren will laugh at the idea that cars used to be so primitive you actually had to change the gears yourself.
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and we'll get to do the old "in my day you had to do your own damn driving and we were all the better for it!"

and the generational wheel will keep on turning.
 
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