Auto license holder wants to drive manual vehicle

property.advert

If an auto license holder wants to drive a manual car, can they only do so in the company of someone who has a full manual license and do they have to stick "L" plates on the car ?

I know they eventually have to take a test in a manual vehicle but what is the process in the meanwhile ?

paddedjohn

Yes, you need L plates and a qualified driver accompanying you. Also need to inform their insurance.

Strider590

I have to admit, i've never understood why anyone would go for an "Auto" licence. It seems counter productive

System

Strider590 wrote: »

I have to admit, i've never understood why anyone would go for an "Auto" licence. It seems counter productive

Because some people can not manage a manual vehicle either because of a disability or they have insufficient co-ordination to manage pedals and gear lever at the same time. My SIL is a case in point. She can not co-ordinate her hand and feet sufficiently to change gear so has an automatic licence

Sgt_Pepper_2

Here we go again.

Rochdale_Guy

Or maybe people like myself - who were late in learning to drive in my late 30's - just wanted the convenience of not having to faff about with crunching gears?! I took lessons in an automatic, and was happy with that.

I'm happy in my automatic Fiesta, job done :beer:

I do hate the assumption though that "there must be something wrong with me" for driving an auto....

At the end of the day, it's personal choice :A

And I'm perfectly co-ordinated thank you very much

I'm deeply psychologically disturbed and crazy as a loon, but that's another issue! (just joking)

System

Do we know the reason why the OP is asking? - No, so it is pure conjecture on your part that the case is not the same.
Also your presumption about my SIL is based on total ignorance of any facts to uphold that presumption

I was answering Strider's lack of understanding and giving him examples/reasons why some people only have automatic licences. As Rochdale_Guy says some people are happy just to have an auto licence

Strider590

!!!!!! wrote: »

I was answering Strider's lack of understanding and giving him examples/reasons why some people only have automatic licences. As Rochdale_Guy says some people are happy just to have an auto licence

There's no "lack of understanding".....
For somebody to be considering driving a manual and to be pondering the OP's question, they would clearly not fall into the category of having disabilities that would hinder their ability to "drive stick".

I guess I jumped a few logical steps ahead, without explaining my thought process.

I learnt to drive manual because I don't like paying for things twice AND the type of cars I like, don't and should never come with automatic gearboxes.

Sgt_Pepper_2

Strider590 wrote: »

There's no "lack of understanding".....
For somebody to be considering driving a manual and to be pondering the OP's question, they would clearly not fall into the category of having disabilities that would hinder their ability to "drive stick".

I guess I jumped a few logical steps ahead, without explaining my thought process.

I learnt to drive manual because I don't like paying for things twice AND the type of cars I like, don't and should never come with automatic gearboxes.

Said the Vauxhall driver.

property.advert

The person in question was more comfortable driving automatics and as they would never buy a manual, it seemed safer for them to pass an automatic test.

However, in starting their own business, which requires the purchase of some pool vehicles, there are significant extra costs in purchasing automatic vehicles over manual ones. As they may be required or even want to drive one of them, it would seem to make sense to pass a manual test than buy a hat full of automatic vehicles.

Had this situation been envisaged then it would have been a manual test from the outset but it was not and thus the quandary exists today.

custardy

property.advert wrote: »

The person in question was more comfortable driving automatics and as they would never buy a manual, it seemed safer for them to pass an automatic test.

However, in starting their own business, which requires the purchase of some pool vehicles, there are significant extra costs in purchasing automatic vehicles over manual ones. As they may be required or even want to drive one of them, it would seem to make sense to pass a manual test than buy a hat full of automatic vehicles.

Had this situation been envisaged then it would have been a manual test from the outset but it was not and thus the quandary exists today.

I bet the same is said for many who go for an auto test.
Something as simple as hiring a van/car can become a nightmare if limited to autos