Learning to Drive

[Dryce]

I w The most useful skill he imparted was learning to use Tiptronic to ensure that the car was ready to do what you wanted to do, rather than reacting to your inputs as you did it.

Sadly I know plenty of manual licence holders who hardly realise the tip / override function exists on their auto. It goes untouched for months or years.

And that's not to say manual boxes are controlled much better - when I'm being driven in a manual car most change downs on hills/bends occur too late.

 

[Dryce]

There are so many people out there driving manuals, that I'd be concerned if somone was incapable of driving one, either through a lack of coordination or confidence.

What about those of us who don't want to drive one?

I look at things differently. Why should you have this unecessary control that involves you having to divert some of your attention plus two limbs to control it - which if used incorrectly may baulk or stall your vehicle?

I'd far rather the driver's attention was fully focused on the road and their environment rather than being distracted even a little bit by an unnecessary and archaic control mechanism that requires their frequent attention.

 

[The Pan Man]

I was invited to spend a day that AMG hosted at MIRA, and one of the sessions was being coached by a former police driver on the safest use of the car and on using Roadcraft. The most useful skill he imparted was learning to use Tiptronic to ensure that the car was ready to do what you wanted to do, rather than reacting to your inputs as you did it. Cornering, overtaking and car control generally are much improved by understanding the dynamics of the gearbox, and unless the learner has a floppy paddle thingy, a manual is by far the best way to cope. After this winter, I have certainly learned to love engine braking much more.
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That was my point exactly

 

[Dryce]

Cornering, overtaking and car control generally are much improved by understanding the dynamics of the gearbox,

I get that bit.

and unless the learner has a floppy paddle thingy, a manual is by far the best way to cope.

But I don't get that bit.

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That was my point exactly[/QUOTE]

 

[Pappilo]

My missus is learning in an auto as well and wouldnt advice her to do different. I will gladly swap my license for an auto only one cos I cant see myself ever driving a manual car again. I wonder why they still make them. it is just so uncomfortable.

 

[HR17]

What about those of us who don't want to drive one?

I look at things differently. Why should you have this unecessary control that involves you having to divert some of your attention plus two limbs to control it - which if used incorrectly may baulk or stall your vehicle?

I'd far rather the driver's attention was fully focused on the road and their environment rather than being distracted even a little bit by an unnecessary and archaic control mechanism that requires their frequent attention.

I don't want to drive a manual either and I don't. I haven't done for years, but I leared to drive in a manual like most other people, so appreciate the control involved. There will always be pros and cons to each, but still think a better test of one's driving skill and competence would be to take the manual test.

I'd hate to think that anyone who might have to divert their attention to using the clutch or gear stick would be allowed on the road.

 

[yachtman]

Not me

My wife is learning to drive, and wants to learn in an auto - as she only wants to drive auto once she has passed.

However, I have told her I think she is best learning in a manual, just so she has the option of driving a manual later on if she ever wants to.

What does everyone think? Would you bother learning in manual these days or go for auto and live with not being able to drive manual without another test? I imagine the learning curve in auto only is so much smaller as you don't have to worry about clutch control and changing.

She doesn't need to drive for her work, so that's not an issue, but you never know what job you may be doing later in life. I do wonder whether someone with an auto only licence could say if applying for a job that they have a full licence if it has an auto only restriction on it.

The test is the same as the manual test.
The theory & hazard perception test have to be passed before the pratical.

Personally, better to be a confident auto driver than an average manual driver. Without doubt autos make learning to drive much easier, and a good instructor willcover manual overide etc.

Incedentally driving a manual while holding "only" an auto licence would be not driving in accorance with your licence,and thus would be driving while uninsured.

I see upto 400 agency driver licences a year, you would be suprised how many candidates have been driving 7.5t vehicles for other employers with only a car licence! & then get angry when we tell their agency why they failed their assessment.

 

[Darrell]

My mum took an auto only licence back in 1980 when auto's were popular only on Mercs, Rollers and other prestige cars, my dad taught her in his Jag coupe.

Never looked back since and has never had a crash and has never been an issue.

She has has loads of nice cars and now has a new Toyata Rav4 whilst my step-dad has a 5 series BMW.

When she is on holiday in the States, she hires an auto and when she is in France or over here she hires a scooter...she is 64!

All us guys like to large it up about clutch control blah blah blah, but if your wife is happy then encourage her to do what she feels comfortable doing.

 

[mbenz76]

Thanks everyone for the replies.

My wife is 27, and whilst I still think that she would gain more flexibility to drive other vehicles, I can see how she could learn quicker in an auto without having to waste time on the finer points of clutch control and gear changing.

I have always driven manual, and when I was younger wouldn't have driven an auto for anything. However, as I have grown up (and out of my boy racer days) I have changed my opinions. My new E350 is my first auto, and I can't see me going back to manual at all.

We travel to the US a lot and I always drive auto there (as most cars are auto).

I guess the only way I could see auto only being a problem for her if I think about it are when having a courtesy car or if she changes jobs and needs to drive and they only have manual vehicles, but again this is unlikely unles she has a career change.

 

[lil.smartie]

Auto only is fine these days IMO as so many cars are available in auto as an option it's no longer a luxury option! My step son took his test so many times in a manual but just went to pieces each time & lost concentration when thinking too much about everything so we took away the gear change & he passed with very few minors straight away!
I tend to choose autos, I've had my Smart 10+ yrs now and like the tiptronic and paddle shift but no clutch, we still have manual cars too (looking at an Alfa atm which would be manual) but through choice I'd prob drive an auto 1st!

Kate

 

[johngraham]

Hi, mbenz76

If your wife want to pass driving theory test uk then it is the best way to pass the whole test in first attempt. theory test as well as hazard perception test too.

There is a simple way to pass with best uk site, just google for "DSA theory books + cd for 2010" and you will find the relevant website to your wife's driving test.

 

[Bellow]

Small point that seems to have been overlooked. It's not the illegality of driving a manual having only driven an auto that is the issue. It's the inability to drive a manual.
Learning the gears really is a 'learned' thing.

Beyond that it really is a personal choice based on what the learner wants and envisages driving once qualified.

 

[219]

Although I learned on a manual , these days I wouldn't bother .

For a new driver only ever going to drive auto , I'd teach her to start out driving with both feet - right to accelerate , left to brake - so much simpler and no chance of confusion if she's never going to be 'jake the peg' !

 

[Bellow]

Although I learned on a manual , these days I wouldn't bother .

For a new driver only ever going to drive auto , I'd teach her to start out driving with both feet - right to accelerate , left to brake - so much simpler and no chance of confusion if she's never going to be 'jake the peg' !

That's exactly as I see it. And how I drive also.
However if you go that route you have to be pretty sure you will never want or have to drive manual - ever!

Having gotten fully used to left foot braking I had a manual as a courtesy car. No real problem - just revived the old 3 pedal skills. Until I had reason to 'emergency brake'! I can't remember which foot stood on which - but both went for the brake pedal...

 

[Sonny Burnett]

i got my Full Auto licence when i was 18.. had my full bike at 17.. id only drive a Auto car.. plus i get cheaper insurance when i say i have a auto licence lol..

1+ vote for Auto...
down with manuals lol

 

[sunil1234]

nooooo, you never want to drive an auto with 2 feet - that is disaster waiting to happen!. i have heard of 2 instances where people did that and when they needed an emergency stop or panicked, the left foot was trying to brake but the right foot was still applying throttle! - inevitable consequences!

As for the orig question, pass in the manual car - do what you want after as then you have all options open. Even after passing she can take a hanfdful of lessons in an auto just to get confidence. Imagine you go somewhere and need her to drive (holiday/ emergency etc and no autos available)

just my tuppence worth

 

[219]

nooooo, you never want to drive an auto with 2 feet - that is disaster waiting to happen!. i have heard of 2 instances where people did that and when they needed an emergency stop or panicked, the left foot was trying to brake but the right foot was still applying throttle! - inevitable consequences!

just my tuppence worth

On the other hand , I have equally heard of plenty of one-footed manual drivers putting their foot on the brake of an automatic , forgetting they don't have gears or a clutch , and performing an unintended emergency stop , with equally disastrous results !

It all comes down to perfecting your technique , my point being that if the OP's wife is only ever going to drive auto ( which would be the case with auto only licence ) then she may as well learn to use both feet from day 1 as it is a far more efficient way to drive . I have been driving autos with both feet for 30+ years , alternating with manuals on a daily basis , and just instinctively use the appropriate method to whatever I'm driving - even in emergencies , not that they happen often .

 

[sunil1234]

On the other hand , I have equally heard of plenty of one-footed manual drivers putting their foot on the brake of an automatic , forgetting they don't have gears or a clutch , and performing an unintended emergency stop , with equally disastrous results !

It all comes down to perfecting your technique , my point being that if the OP's wife is only ever going to drive auto ( which would be the case with auto only licence ) then she may as well learn to use both feet from day 1 as it is a far more efficient way to drive . I have been driving autos with both feet for 30+ years , alternating with manuals on a daily basis , and just instinctively use the appropriate method to whatever I'm driving - even in emergencies , not that they happen often .

fair point

 

[Sonny Burnett]

On the other hand , I have equally heard of plenty of one-footed manual drivers putting their foot on the brake of an automatic , forgetting they don't have gears or a clutch , and performing an unintended emergency stop , with equally disastrous results !

It all comes down to perfecting your technique , my point being that if the OP's wife is only ever going to drive auto ( which would be the case with auto only licence ) then she may as well learn to use both feet from day 1 as it is a far more efficient way to drive . I have been driving autos with both feet for 30+ years , alternating with manuals on a daily basis , and just instinctively use the appropriate method to whatever I'm driving - even in emergencies , not that they happen often .

on your test for auto if you use both feet its a instant fail...no questions..

personly i have a full bike licence i had my fill of gear changing i see no point in manual cars but to keep doing something you dont need to be doing..is silly in my eyes

 

[219]

on your test for auto if you use both feet its a instant fail...no questions..

As an advanced driving instructor , I'd have to comment there is no reason why that should be the case .

You only have to demonstrate competency in driving the car - nothing specifies which feet you should use .