Kids learning to drive - automatic only?
- Thread starter Custor
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Unless they are showing any sign of being a petrolhead, I’d leave the choice up to them.
If on the other hand they are clearly interested in cars beyond them being transport, they might gain from a manual license. ICE isn’t going to disappear overnight.
Caporegime
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You’ll get your old school ‘proper’ drivers come on here saying yes, they must learn a manual, but I don’t think it’s necessary any more if you are happy with an auto.
I bought a 2007 manual Peugeot 107 in 2012 and passed my manual test in 2013. In 2015 I decided I wanted an automatic for ease of driving so bought a 2007 Smart Fortwo and have been driving automatics ever since, current car is a 2019 Smart Fortwo automatic.
So I say yes take automatic lessons.
So I say yes take automatic lessons.
Soldato
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When my mum bought me lessons at 17 she was adamant I needed to learn manual.
It ended up being a struggle, dealing with gears took up so much of my attention it made my driving worse, took loads of lessons and 3 tests to pass. I had been biking on roads for years so probably could have passed very quickly if I'd learnt automatic instead.
My first couple of cars were manual, which now seems stupid but I didn't know any better.
Then I test drove a Nissan Leaf, and it wasn't the electric-ness that was surprising about it - it was how much easier driving was when I didn't have to deal with gears - and how much safer a driver I was as a result of having more brain power spare to pay attention to things.
I ended up getting an automatic petrol, which has been glorious, I'll never go back to manual.
IMO manual should have been phased out as the default a long time ago just to make roads safer. Most people are dumber than me, and there are tons of terrible drivers out there, it would be a dramatic improvement if all their cars were automatic imo.
The future is electric, and they're all automatic, so we'll get there eventually anyway.
There's also an argument for not even bothering, motoring is very expensive, and working remotely gets more common over time, your kids may never even own a car.
It ended up being a struggle, dealing with gears took up so much of my attention it made my driving worse, took loads of lessons and 3 tests to pass. I had been biking on roads for years so probably could have passed very quickly if I'd learnt automatic instead.
My first couple of cars were manual, which now seems stupid but I didn't know any better.
Then I test drove a Nissan Leaf, and it wasn't the electric-ness that was surprising about it - it was how much easier driving was when I didn't have to deal with gears - and how much safer a driver I was as a result of having more brain power spare to pay attention to things.
I ended up getting an automatic petrol, which has been glorious, I'll never go back to manual.
IMO manual should have been phased out as the default a long time ago just to make roads safer. Most people are dumber than me, and there are tons of terrible drivers out there, it would be a dramatic improvement if all their cars were automatic imo.
The future is electric, and they're all automatic, so we'll get there eventually anyway.
There's also an argument for not even bothering, motoring is very expensive, and working remotely gets more common over time, your kids may never even own a car.
Autos are becoming the norm, I haven’t owned a manual since my first car 15 years ago.
However, whenever i get a hire car abroad, a van for moving, drive someone else's car, they can be manuals.
I would say get a manual licence, its a better foundation, more versatile, more options for a first car too. Manuals aren't gone yet.
However, whenever i get a hire car abroad, a van for moving, drive someone else's car, they can be manuals.
I would say get a manual licence, its a better foundation, more versatile, more options for a first car too. Manuals aren't gone yet.
Soldato
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Normally i'd say manual is king, but when you're doing a commute everyday, in stop start traffic, the clutch pedal just becomes a massive ballache, auto is certainly king in my book.
Soldato
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I think manual gave me a good sense of speed control, and is a skill worth having should you need it 
My wife is learning to drive auto only. She has no intention of ever driving a manual so it makes sense. As already mentioned, autos are very common now, plus the move to electric will completely get rid of manual transmissions.
You'd be in a better spot than someone who's never driven manual! I'd say it's not that important now, however, cheaper small cars are generally still manual
Surely it’s easier to learn and saves time if you never plan to drive a manual. I haven’t driven a manual in 8 years.
Permabanned
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Not exactly hard to learn to drive manual. While we had had autos the last few times I would still be learning manual.
Man of Honour
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I don't think it's necessary anymore. That said it's probably worth doing especially if you like to travel and hire cars as a lot of places (other than America) do still have manuals, unless of course you go for more luxury brands.
Personally I think it's worth it just to learn the skill, but as you say, the fact is manual gearboxes will be disappearing in time.
Personally I think it's worth it just to learn the skill, but as you say, the fact is manual gearboxes will be disappearing in time.
Everyone's needs are different. My wife has no interest in driving a manual. Hire cars are would never be an issue for her as I drive us everywhere. Once she passes she'll only ever be driving to her parents or to the shops while I'm working.