Driving - Automatic v Manual Car

[lifeinplastic]

Hi All,

I'd like to learn to drive and have had some experience of lessons in a manual car but wondering if I should just learn in an automatic. In the UK, you can take the test in a manual which allows you to drive both once you pass, or you can do it in an automatic but you would only be qualified to drive an automatic. Does anyone have any experience of both? Which type do you drive and what would you recommend? I'm not really a confident driver but just want to get on with it, as I'm sure once I pass the lack of confidence will soon disappear.

Many thanks

[icm]

Where I live in the USA there is no separate test for a manual.  All the drivers ed cars at the schools are automatics, and the test is in an automatic, but you aren't legally restricted to driving automatics.  I drive a 5+R manual pickup truck.  In my opinion, you should learn how to drive a manual transmission as soon as you can.

[ukbajadave]

Another vote for manual here. Get a licence for both and then you can drive whatever you choose.

All my own cars over the years have been manual but my working life has been spent driving automatics. As I get older and automatic car gearboxes get better I'm ready to make the change so my next car will probably be an automatic (with auto wipers and auto lights and active cruise and lane guidance so all I have to do is get in )

[deraven]

I think it's good to know how to drive a manual, and if you can drive stick-shift you can drive an automatic no problem.  As icm noted, however, here in the US you're not restricted from driving a manual if you don't test in one.

If I were you, I'd ask the simple question: "How prevalent are manual transmission cars here, and how likely am I to need to drive one?"  In my decades of driving I'm only driven a manual vehicle a few times and while it was good to know how (though I'm not great at it due to lack of real experience) it wouldn't have been a problem if I couldn't - it was just more of a convenience.  If you won't need to be able to do that for work and you rarely see manual vehicles in everyday life, then it probably doesn't matter.  If, however, they're all over the place where you live, several of your friends or family have manual vehicles that you might reasonably end up driving at some point, etc., then I would press on and get qualified and licensed with the manual.  More skills and knowledge aren't a bad thing.  

[dr_spock]

I learned on automatic.  I had to learn manual after I bought a brand new manual car.  My wife drove it home from the dealer for me. 

I had bad experiences with automatic transmission failures.  So far my manuals have lasted much longer than my automatics.

It is good to know both.  Maybe start with automatic.  When you have built enough on road driving experience and confidence, then go for the manual license. 

[Peppermint_M]

Manual is very useful to know, as automatics are rare here, so learning with gears and a clutch is for the best. It might seem daunting, but once you are used to it then everything comes naturally. 

Also, it is most enjoyable to drive when you are in control of the gears (or so I find).