Should I Learn to Drive in a Manual or an Automatic?

The gearbox doesn't make you a safe driver. The person behind the wheel does.

I get asked this question all the time.

I drove a manual for 36 years before buying my first automatic.

I'd spent years saying I'd never have one.

I was wrong.

A few weeks ago I drove a friend's manual for the first time in nearly three years. It was absolutely fine, but I'd forgotten what a faff driving a manual is.

So, if you asked me today whether you should learn in a manual or an automatic, my answer for most people would be an automatic.

Yes, learning in an automatic is easier.

You haven't got a clutch pedal or gear changes to think about.

The road craft is exactly the same.

You still have to read the road, spot hazards, plan ahead, judge speed, position the car properly and make safe decisions.

The driving test is exactly the same whether you're in a manual or an automatic. The examiner is looking at your observation, planning, awareness, judgement and decision making, not how well you change gear.

Over the years I've heard just about every reason why people think they should learn in a manual.

"You'll be a better driver."

I don't see it that way.

The gearbox doesn't make you a better driver.

Observation, planning, awareness and good judgement do.

"You'll have more control."

Good drivers control what's happening around the car, not just what's happening inside it.

"What about rev matching?"

In 36 years of driving manual cars I never once needed to deliberately rev match.

It's not part of the driving test.

It's not a skill most drivers will ever use.

So why would it influence how you choose to learn?

"Manual is harder, so you'll learn more."

Harder doesn't automatically mean better.

Learning to change gear isn't the same as learning to read the road.

I'd rather see a learner using that mental energy to look further ahead, plan earlier and deal with what's happening around them.

"You'll be able to drive both."

That's true.

But ask yourself one question.

How often are you actually going to drive a manual?

Around 78% of new cars registered in the UK are now automatic. Every mainstream electric car sold in the UK is automatic, and the proportion of practical driving tests taken in an automatic has risen from 6.9% in 2014/15 to around 26% today.

Manual gearboxes aren't disappearing tomorrow, but they're becoming less common every year.

"You'll never be able to hire a car abroad."

Most of my learners are 17.

Hiring a car abroad is years away for most of them, and automatic hire cars are now widely available in most popular holiday destinations.

I wouldn't choose how you learn to drive today because of something you might do years from now.

"Automatic is cheating."

I don't see it that way.

The DVSA doesn't test your ability to use a clutch.

It tests whether you can drive safely.

They're two completely different things.

If changing gear is the only reason someone thinks a manual makes them a better driver, I'd say they're just worrying about the wrong part of driving.

The gearbox doesn't make you a safe driver.

The person behind the wheel does.

Looking for automatic driving lessons?

If you're looking for automatic driving lessons in Beaconsfield, Bourne End, Flackwell Heath, High Wycombe, Loudwater, Marlow, Wooburn Green or the surrounding areas, I'd love to help.

Visit www.mcbdrivertraining.co.uk or call 07821 928521.