driving help

Lirin

If you learn to drive in a manual, you'll be fine with an auto. If you learn to drive auto, you'll have probs driving a manual. I have both autos and manuals, and prefer them for entirely different reasons- I'd never take the auto out in icy weather, for example. You can learn auto only, certainly, but as other posters have pointed out- you're limiting yourself somewhat in car and possibly insurance choices.

It seems harder at the start, but take it slowly, and practise with a friend. Reverse and drive forward on your drive/yard if you've enough room, and learn the gears. Listen to the noises the car makes, listen to the engine, get a feel for the car, and you will pickup eventually when a gear change is needed. Above all, don't be scared! Likely the worst you'll usually do is stall the car- no harm done. Don't be afraid of it. If you can, get out on a nice quiet road with an experienced driver and practise changing up and down.

There does seem a lot to learn at the start, but the trick is to practise until it all becomes an automatic function- you don't even think about shanging gears, signalling, turning- you just do it. You can do it, but it will take a little time, is all. Good luck practising, and let us know how it goes for you.

the_cat

If you are intending to buy a new car after you pass, you can choose either manual or auto (although auto more expensive I think)

If you want second hand, there will be far, far fewer options and those that there are will be more expensive

So if at all possible, I would try and get the manual license

Percy1983

From personal experience I actually find manual easier than auto, being in control of revs and gears actually makes a car easier to control. In short autos are a nightmare to me and semi-autos are ok but not ideal. I say this as there is many situations where its better to have control like in ice/snow or even hills, I also found autos not changing down quick enough on the approach to roundabouts which meant I missed gaps where in a manual I would already in the right gear.

As other have said, gear changes just click, as others will agree you I don't even notice I am doing it anymore but I do notice if its taken away.

123louisa

You still have to learn to drive in an Automatic car! The theory is all the same and you still have to learn all the hard bits (hill starts).....Automatic driving just cuts some things out, Clutch control etc. Some people find it very easy, just as some people find driving a manual car very easy!

I can only drive an Automatic, I just do not get gears at all, and it has not hindered me in choosing a car at all, as I have had , A pug 309, 06 Astra, and now a Ford Explorer, 3 very different cars which were very very easy to find.

barbiedoll

Oh do go for it, I've FINALLY passed my test after years of putting it off and I'm so glad that I did! (I'm 46! :eek:)

123louisa is right, changing gears is not the hard bit, driving in traffic, looking in 4 different directions and remembering to stop at red lights is the hardest part! I still stall at roundabouts, I still have the jitters when I'm stuck in traffic on a hill and I hate driving in heavy traffic so I now do my weekly shopping at 8pm on a Friday night..(there's always loads of parking spaces too, I need a space the size of a juggernaut :rotfl:)

Getting the right instructor is vital. From hearing friend's experiences and from what I've read on the internet, it's probably best to look for an independent instructor, rather than going with one of the big schools. That way, you will always see the same person, you will develop a relationship with them and they are more likely to be able to gauge your progress and help you with any specific problems. Don't book a block of lessons, book them individually at first, if you don't like the instructor, don't use him/her any more. Get personal recommendations, if anyone in your street is learning to drive, ask them how they're getting on and get the number of their instructor. That's how I found mine! And try to learn in a manual car, it really does limit your choice of vehicle if you can only drive an automatic. You may only want a cheap banger when you first pass, finding an old, working automatic is a lot harder than getting hold of an old manual car.

Good luck, and remember, Rome wasn't built in a day but you may just surprise yourself. (And if you see a middle-aged woman in an ancient Vauxhall, gripping the steering wheel for dear life on a hill, that's me, so give me a wave!)

Tropez

FireyFaerie wrote: »

sorry not read all the posts yet (will do so in a minute), but I wondered if learning to drive an automatic works out cheaper for lessons? I started lessons in 2009.. was doing really well, but my confidence is low with driving and the gear changing is the one thing I really struggle with. I now really really want to learn to drive, but can only afford a lesson a fortnight. But would rather learn to drive an automatic and start saving for a second hand car (motivation to make me save) than trying to save for lessons and going through the whole panicky stage again.

Generally, at least in my area, automatic lessons cost a little more than manual lessons, although there is a lot of statistical evidence that suggests that people who learn in automatics need fewer lessons in order to pass their test and so the cost may equal out or be less based on this.

As for the cars, the price difference between automatics and manuals, particularly second-hand, is negligible at best and although many people talk about limiting options by taking an automatic only licence, I've never had a problem getting the car I want in an automatic, and that includes with the two second hand cars I've owned.

victor2

FireyFaerie wrote: »

sorry not read all the posts yet (will do so in a minute), but I wondered if learning to drive an automatic works out cheaper for lessons? I started lessons in 2009.. was doing really well, but my confidence is low with driving and the gear changing is the one thing I really struggle with. I now really really want to learn to drive, but can only afford a lesson a fortnight. But would rather learn to drive an automatic and start saving for a second hand car (motivation to make me save) than trying to save for lessons and going through the whole panicky stage again.

It's hard to find bargain lessons in an automatic. There's less demand for them and instructors that have invested in an automatic rightly want it to pay it's way.
With only one lesson a fortnight, you won't get enough practice. Save up for a car now and try to buy one before you prepare for your test. Insurance for a provisional license holder in a small automatic shouldn't be too expensive. Just remember you'll need an experienced driver to accompany you, who should be covered for the car in case they have to drive it.
See what automatics local driving schools use and consider buying the same - better to learn and practice in the same type of vehicle.

Oldernotwiser

I needed to get my licence very quickly when my husband lost his and I passed my automatic test two months later, at the age of 50, having struggled to learn in a manual several times before. I took my manual test a couple of years later when I needed to be able to rent a car abroad, so I can say that I passed my test first time - twice!

If you're having problems, an automatic could well be the right direction for you.

ETA. I was like you, the gear changing was my main problem when learning, plus it's one more thing to think about.

Tropez

FireyFaerie wrote: »

Tropez this is what I am wondering about most.. cost of insurance, cost of car, if it requires tons more petrol etc. When I have my lessons my biggest problem is clutch control and gear changing. Stalling or over revving on hill starts and at traffic lights. I pay for too much attention to everyone else around me, and in a tricky situation I either put my foot down far too much or hesitate over worrying my bite is wrong and getting in a big panic.
Mirror checking, traffic lights, everything else I find easy compared to the clutch control / gears.

I've never heard of whether a car is a manual or auto having an effect on insurance premiums.

It does have a small but not massive impact on the cost of the car.

Manuals tend to use less fuel but automatics, particularly diesel engines, can be very fuel efficient now. Moreover, the most important aspect of fuel consumption is all to do with how you drive.

Oldernotwiser

FireyFaerie wrote: »

Oldernotwiser... once you have an automatic license.. if you then have lessons for a manual and take the test, is it the same price etc as if you were to have no license?

It's the same price and the same full test, but you don't have to resit the theory.