Manual or Automatic to learn to drive?

Kimberley

I heard that you can learn quicker in an Automatic is that right? Is insurance dearer then with a manual when you buy a car?

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Learning will be easier in an automatic, but I thought the rule used to be that if you passed in an automatic, you wouldn't be entitled to drive a manual.

Edit - From the DVA:

1. Can I use an automatic car for the driving test?
   Yes. If a person passes a test in an automatic car then they are restricted to driving vehicles with automatic transmission thereafter. A full automatic licence acts as a provisional manual licence

Kimberley

Phantom_Flan_Flinger wrote: »

Learning will be easier in an automatic, but I thought the rule used to be that if you passed in an automatic, you wouldn't be entitled to drive a manual.

Thats fine, it can't be hard to find automatics to buy can it?

pinkpig08

If you learn and pass in an automatic then you can only drive an automatic. If you learn and pass in a manual then you can drive either.

michaelro

Phantom_Flan_Flinger wrote: »

Learning will be easier in an automatic, but I thought the rule used to be that if you passed in an automatic, you wouldn't be entitled to drive a manual.

Correct.

You end up paying more in the end as well.

Automatic cars are usually more expensive to buy & return worse mpg.

Try & persevere with the manual - you'll have more options in the future.

Phantom_Flan_Flinger

Kimberley wrote: »

Thats fine, it can't be hard to find automatics to buy can it?

Shouldn't be, although they are dearer to buy from new and have higher CO2 emissions.

flyingscotno1

Learn to drive a manual car. You will regret it if you do not in the future. I knew someone who did, struggled to get decent used small cars.

Whilst 'it cannot be hard to find automatics', you are often limited in car choice, engine or range choice and I believe the car has to be fully automatic- VW Golfs etc with clutchless manuals would not be permitted even though that is their automatic box with a manual override. I'm willing to be corrected on that however.

custardy

Kimberley wrote: »

Thats fine, it can't be hard to find automatics to buy can it?

its not just that
say you need to hire a car at some point,it can be a hassle
same if you need to borrow a friends car,share driving etc
if you can get the full manual licence

nearlyrich

I drive an automatic because I do a lot of driving and it's easier on my dodgy knees but I passed my test in a manual and I can still drive one when I need to. It is pretty difficult to get an automatic courtesy car when my car is in the garage for instance.

Kimberley

I see, well ok then thanks for the advice. I did have lessons in a manual a few years ago and was ok but failed my first test. I hope I don't need many lessons this time round.

Kimberley

Oh and do those weekly crash courses work, any good?