Manual or Automatic

The majority of new drivers learn to drive in a vehicle with a manual gearbox. If you take and pass your driving test in a manual vehicle, you will be licensed to drive both manual and automatics. This will give you more flexibility when it comes to choosing, buying and driving your own, and perhaps, other peoples vehicles.

If you take and pass your test in a vehicle with an automatic gearbox, you will be licensed to drive an automatic vehicle but you will only have ‘provisional licence’entitlement for a manual. If you later decided that you wanted to drive a manual, you would have to take another driving test in a suitable vehicle.

We do know from experience however, that some people find driving a vehicle with a manual gearbox difficult, and there are other reasons why someone may choose to learn to drive an automatic. Generally though, we would suggest that you have lessons in a manual vehicle to start with. If for any reason you feel that you are not suited to a manual vehicle, it is important to discuss the matter first with your driving instructor, who will be able to advise you on the most appropriate course of action.