Should I Learn Automatic or Manual?

Manual or automatic? Here’s how to decide with confidence.

Thinking about driving lessons but not sure whether to go manual or automatic? 🤔
Automatic cars are much easier to get used to, and with electric cars becoming the norm, manuals might not be around forever. Choosing the right one depends on what feels best for you! 🚗⚡

Automatic Transmission Selector

No clutch to worry about just select drive to move forwards, Reverse to move backwards. Neutral is just that and park is where the gearbox locks up the wheels to keep your car secure from rolling.

How to choose

Learning to drive in an automatic car can make the process much easier, especially for nervous beginners. With no need to change gears, you can focus on steering, braking, and controlling the car. This is particularly helpful in busy traffic, where lots of stopping and starting is involved.

On the other hand, learning in a manual car gives you more flexibility. A manual licence allows you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles, giving you more choice when it comes to buying or renting a car.

In some cases, having a manual licence can also benefit your job opportunities, as certain employers may prefer or require it.

Manual vs Automatic Comparison

Aspect	Automatic	Manual
Learning experience	Easier for beginners, less stressful	More flexible – drive both manual and automatic
Control	No gear changes – focus on steering and braking	Wider choice of cars available
Traffic situations	Great in stop-start traffic	Preferred/required by some employers
Licence	Licence only covers automatics	Can be harder to learn – more to think about
Car choice / Jobs	May limit car choice in the future	Involves clutch control and gear changes

Learning to drive a manual car advantages

On the other hand, learning to drive a manual vehicle offers its own set of advantages. Manual transmission may provide drivers with more control over the vehicle, allowing for a more engaged driving experience. Being able to shift gears manually can be advantageous in various driving conditions such as steep inclines or challenging weather situations. Although most modern automatic cars have the ability to change gears manually, ust without having to use the clutch.

Manual Gear Shifter

Learning a manual will take a little bit more time as you will need to learn how to use the clutch, on the plus side you may feel that you have a little more control over a manual car.

Learning to drive an automatic car advantages

Learning to drive an automatic vehicle comes with many advantages, especially for beginners. One of the biggest benefits is how much quicker and easier the learning process becomes. Unlike manual cars, there is no need to worry about mastering the clutch or constantly changing gears. This means new drivers can give their full attention to the road ahead. By removing these technical challenges, learners often feel more confident, less stressed, and more in control from the very start of their driving journey.

Automatic cars are also very practical in busy city environments. In places where stop-and-go traffic is common, driving a manual vehicle can become tiring and frustrating. Automatic cars, on the other hand, handle these situations smoothly, allowing the driver to focus on safety and comfort rather than gear changes. This makes everyday driving more relaxed and less of a chore, particularly for those who commute regularly or live in highly populated areas.

Another important point is that automatic transmissions are now becoming the norm in modern vehicles. Unlike in the past, when most cars were manual, today’s market offers a wide range of automatic options. By learning to drive an automatic, new drivers are preparing themselves for a much broader set of opportunities, since many cars available for purchase or rental will already be automatic.

Looking ahead, the future of driving is moving even further in this direction. With the rise of electric vehicles, automatic transmissions are becoming the standard, as most electric cars do not require gears in the traditional sense. This means that learning to drive an automatic now not only makes the process easier but also prepares drivers for the way cars are evolving. In short, choosing to learn in an automatic vehicle is not just about convenience today—it is also about being ready for the future of driving.

Our advice

If you just want to get on the road as quickly as possible then automatic could be the fastest route to take. If you are hoping to have a career driving such as driving a van , ambulance or even a HGV then you may be best going with manual .

You could begin with automatic then after you have a bit of driving experience it would not be too difficult to take the manual driving test at a later date, once you have all the other driving skills in place learning the gears and clutch will be a lot easier.

A Stepping Stone Approach

For some learners, it can make sense to pass your test in an automatic car first. This takes away the pressure of gear changes and clutch control, making it easier to focus on building safe driving habits and gaining road experience. Later on, if you feel the need for the extra flexibility of a manual licence, you can take a few manual lessons and sit the manual test. This way, you’re still on the road sooner while keeping the option to upgrade open for the future.

Final Thoughts

While automatic cars are easier to drive and may become the standard in the future, there are still strong reasons to consider learning in a manual. From saving money to keeping your options open, a manual licence offers flexibility that an automatic-only licence cannot.

👉 At Andrew’s Driving School, we offer both manual and automatic driving lessons. The choice is yours — whether you want the simplicity of an automatic or the flexibility of a manual, we’ll support you every step of the way.

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Automatic Driving Lessons

Learn to drive an Automatic car with our local instructors

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