Many people wonder whether learning to drive in an automatic car is easier than learning to drive in a car with a manual gearbox. The simple answer is yes - but only in so far as you don't have to worry about clutch control and changing gear - but you do still have to worry about everything else! Although it may seem far easier to not have to worry about gears and a clutch pedal, in reality, most people have few problems mastering them eventually, even if this aspect of driving doesn't seem to "come naturally" at first!An automatic car has an automatic gearbox that changes the gears for you and only two foot pedals which are operated with the right foot. If you pass your driving test in an automatic car your driving licence will ONLY allow you to drive automatic cars and will not cover you to drive a car with a manual gearbox. If you pass in a manual car you can drive both manual and automatic cars as your driving licence will cover you for both types.
Here's a few more things to take into consideration if you're thinking about learning to drive in an automatic;
- There are far more driving instructors who teach in manual cars than teach in automatic cars, so it may be more difficult to find an instructor,
- Lessons in an automatic car tend to be more expensive,
- After you pass your driving test, there is a much narrower range of automatic cars available when compared to manual cars.
The Driving Standards Agency have done a U-turn on their plans to make it compulsory for learner drivers to have their driving instructor or accompanying driver present in the car when they take their driving test.The plans which were first proposed in the 2008 "Learning To Drive" Consultation Paper were intended to be introduced from October 2010.Transport Secretary, Lord Andrew Adonis said that the change of plan was "to avoid unnecessary regulation".Instead, test candidates will be "encouraged" to have their accompanying driver present throughout the test.Lord Adonis said;"We want all learner drivers, from the start of the process, to consider the benefits of having an observer with them on their test.
'Having someone sitting in will enhance their learning experience and, in turn, improve road safety. An observer who has witnessed the test can give far better advice to the learner on how they performed and what areas of their driving they need to work on - whether they pass or fail.
'But after reviewing plans we have decided that encouraging candidates to take an observer is much more appropriate than introducing regulations to make it compulsory."For more details please see; Daily Mail: Government drops plans to force driving instructors to sit in on their pupils L-tests
Here's a few more things to take into consideration if you're thinking about learning to drive in an automatic;