Taking a driving test in auto?

True Romance

So our daughter will soon be able to start driving lessons (not that she is bothered atm) so got me thinking within a few years most cars will be some sort of hybrid or EV which afaik are all automatic's. With this in mind would be not be easier to just take lessons and test in an auto? I've not had a manual for years and would be very unlikely to go back to a manual now. Your thoughts???

cosmicma

my thoughts are if you take your test in an auto thats all you can drive although how much of a hindrance that would be in the future i don't know
i would take the manual test so the choice is there if needed

IronGiant

Although I can see most cars being automatic or gearless in the future, what matters is the choice of vehicles when you come to buy her first car in a few years time. Especially if going second hand, you may be reducing your choices massively if you can only look at automatics.

True Romance

Good points which I have thought about.

SyStemDeMoN

Manual every time.

What about if her car gets damaged and the repairers dont have an auto available ?
Or she decides to go abroad and needs a hire car ?

Best to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it.

IronGiant

We're having similar discussions at the moment erring on the side of manual.

True Romance

Any driving instructors on here? Interesting to know how long a learner takes to get to test level in a manual vs automatic on average??

gibbsy

You learn so much more in a manual than you do in an automatic, especially coordination and although it may take longer to get up to test level then it has to be worth it. Modern manual gearboxes are so much better than when I started to drive in the late 1960s with gear sticks taller than me.

Once the test is passed then it's the best of both worlds when looking for a car to buy. In all honesty though why would anyone want the equivalent of a coffee grinder in the middle of the car.

IronGiant

may be able to advise @Ayub ?

djbsom

Taking any car test with a car fitted with two pedals obviously results in an auto only licence.
I personally don't feel the disadvantage is as great as it was only ten years ago although buying second have cars will clearly limit the bargains available.
I would imagine five years from now this will be a no brainer in favour of the auto but, right now, it still makes sense IMO to obtain the full licence.
As regards making it easier to pass - the basics can be covered more quickly in an auto but once you move on to actual driving techniques and systems it all levels out usually.
One point that comes into this equation is that often the pupil that asks to learn in the auto is the anxious type or someone who considers themself to be 'less capable' than others at picking up new skills. This usually means that the more relaxed/confident student in the manual usually passes the test quicker than the student in an auto.