What is driving the decision to learn in a manual or automatic car?

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Many young drivers are faced with the dilemma of whether to learn to drive in an automatic or manual car. Caitlin Graham, a 22-year-old from Cumbria, wanted to learn in an automatic car for a quicker test process, but ended up learning in a manual due to the lack of available automatic instructors in her area. The shift towards automatic cars is evident, with one in three cars in the UK now being automatic, and a quarter of driving tests taken last year were in automatic cars.

Learning to drive in an automatic car can have long-term implications as drivers may be limited to only driving automatics or electric vehicles. For some, the decision is not freely made due to the shortage of automatic instructors and the higher cost of lessons. Caitlin’s experience highlights the challenges faced by young drivers in rural areas where public transport is scarce, and the need to quickly obtain a driving license for practical purposes.

Luke Breaban-Cook, an 18-year-old from East Sussex, learned to drive in his parents’ manual cars as they were the only available option to him. He eventually passed his test, but with the increasing prevalence of automatic cars, the need for manual driving skills is diminishing. David Robinson, who has dyspraxia, opted for an automatic car for accessibility reasons, emphasizing the benefits of automatic lessons for individuals with disabilities.

As the number of driving tests in automatic vehicles rises, there is still a stigma surrounding an automatic-only license. However, the landscape is changing as electric vehicles become more affordable, and driving instructors see the commercial advantages of teaching in such vehicles. Caitlin’s journey from learning in a manual to passing her test and securing a job reflects the adaptability and practicality of having manual driving skills, despite the initial preference for an automatic car

Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More

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