Automatic vs Manual - Which One Is Best For Driving Lessons in 2023?

Learning to drive in 2022 is far more difficult than when I first started teaching in 2002. This is not really due to the test becoming harder (which it has) but far more to do with the amount of cars on the road compared to 20 years ago. The amount of impatient people who are more aggressive has also increased in that time. Combine this with many people that are texting and using social media whilst driving it is a much harder environment to deal with!

The roads themselves have also become more cluttered with parked cars, roundabouts, mini roundabouts and more traffic lights plus pedestrian crossings. This all means it's harder to drive than it was 20 years ago.

Learning in automatic and particularly an electric car is a far easier experience. You cannot stall. This removes the pressure and gives you more time to worry about choosing a gap rather than worrying if the car is going to suddenly stop in the middle of a roundabout. Hill starts are a joy but generally the brain is not having to work in the background coordinating your left foot and hand which frees up cognitive ability to focus on the road ahead and other drivers (who might be texting) around you.

The statistics I mention in the video are available to read below from the DVSA themselves and from a survey and research done by Car Wow.

Don't forget the future is electric/hydrogen and all of these cars will be automatic. The cut off point in the UK for petrol and diesel cars is 2030 but in reality the car manufacturers are making the switch much earlier than that. Please give the above a read!

#future #cars #electricvehicle

[mamatee]

I’m learning automatic at the moment, everyone I know drives manual but has said similar to you, this vid gave me extra peace of mind 🙏🏽
Auto is fun like a big go kart 🏎️💨

[SSchithFoo]

I want to get manual license but the reason I don't is coz everyone else is driving Automatic. They don't stall, take corners at full speed etc, while I will be worried about making mistakes and making them angry.

[bluesrocker]

A private practice session earlier today has completely knocked my confidence in a manual. It was like my first time behind the wheel all over again.

I can't express how overwhelmed and stressed I feel about it, and it's all down to the manual gearbox. I'm massively distracted by it all the time. When moving off I feel like I'm always a hair away from completely losing control and having the car lurch forward, causing an accident.

I have a lesson booked for tomorrow afternoon. I'm going to talk to the instructor about switching to automatic.

[mikevfx]

I learned and drove manual car but after a year i change to hybrid automaric. Easy to use and it does the job with less thing to do

[portman]

I bought another manual on a whim, but I'll probably sell it in 4 or 5 years time and buy an automatic. Stick shifting is arse and not enjoyable for me in any situation.

[revathyvc]

Can u do more videos in Newbury it’s very helpful for us to learn

[ImranKhan-oldw]

Start with manual and switch automatic in the future best way.

[EppingForest]

Most used small cars for sale in UK are still manual.

[cameronleehorace]

Yeah it's hard work but it's worth it as now I drive a manual. 2 Years ago I nearly gave up learning manual. I couldn't have afforded to buy the car I had in an automatic version. Not to say I don't like automatic, I haven't driven one in a long time but I do think they are easier and nice to drive. Manuals can be annoying but mostly after you get used to it, it's almost automatic in your mind.

[lb]

Any advice? I have a manual Mini and part of my driving anxiety is down to fear of stalling, gear changes and generally awful drivers here in Essex where I live. I feel like if I made this change to automatic it could lessen my anxiety because it’s one less thing to have to think about when driving around.

[iamafish]

Passed in a automatic 5years ago and had no idea how hard it would be to find a car under £4000 doesn't have transmission problems and is less than 10years old. Its all fine if money isnt a problem for you but getting a new transmission for my ford cmax will cost £3000+. The financial side has caused way more stress than learning a manual ever has

[fatamy]

i'm seriously considering doing my test in an automatic, i just can't do manual. i agree that its great to pass in manual bc you get both options after you pass but like when am i ever going to use manual again? 😭

[ayotemi]

What I did is I learnt to drive and passed my test in a manual car but I bought an automatic car after passing. I prefer autos but I feel you are restricting yourself if you can only drive an automatic car.

If you ever need to drive a manual car or someone gifts you with one, then legally you can’t drive it 😞

[debbiep]

When I turn my automatic car off some electrics are still on for example the power outlet for charging my phone. Also the parking brake light stays on but goes off when I am driving but is staying on now when I parked up?

[Nomorekindness]

Doesnt matter. First enroll automatic driving until so good driving then enroll for upgrading to manual driving easy because long time already know how to control the vehicle that's it.

[jacomps]

I have been doing Manual lessons for 1 year but I don't like the stress I get when I make 1 mistake the car stalls then lots of mistakes happen on repeat.
Do you think switching to Automatic will help my driving and if it's the right choice.

[HmmM-wndx]

I needed refresher lessons but instead of paying for that maybe I should consider moving to manual for cheaper options and less people can stole a manual car, I heard😅

[HuyNguyen-msje]

Manual is all about driving experience. All people who say manual is coming to an end. I bet you that you would pass away before there is no more manual car on the road

[ts]

Well first the ICE ban has been extended to 2035 that’s just over 10 years from now and trust me even in 10 years the cheapest secondhand cars in 2035 will be a manual and not to forget the delivery drivers vans 🚐 will certainly be manual at least for the next 5 years plus historic vehicles will be manual plus it will be least 2030 before Automatics outnumber manual vehicles 🚗 by then you be experienced ADI and so should be teaching both so it’s best to start of teaching both then maybe move to Automatics if there is demand and but of course you have to have two cars 🚘 🚙 to do this.

[ATIProductReviews]

Manuals will hopefully be in the dustbin of history soon. Insane anyone would buy a new car with one in 2023, such a worse driving experience!