Automatic Driving Lessons
Do you have fears of using the gears? Having trouble learning to drive in a manual car?
Why not give an Automatic car a try? It's so much easier.
Why learn in an Automatic car?
Learning to drive in a car with automatic gears is a lot easier than driving a car with manual gears because there is no clutch pedal to operate. Therefore the left foot should not be used at all. Your right foot operates the accelerator (gas) pedal and the brake pedal, taking away a lot of the confusion when approaching roundabouts, traffic lights and junctions, enabling you to concentrate on the task in hand rather than panicking that you are about to make a mistake. This makes it a very popular choice by learners who find it difficult to get used to the gears and clutch when driving a manual car. After you have selected drive with the gear selector the automatic gearbox changes the gears for you. Most pupils who choose automatic lessons will be ready for their driving test earlier than those who choose manual. So if you're in a hurry to get on the road why not give automatics a try?
Already learning to drive in a manual car and thinking about swopping to automatic?
If you can answer yes to these questions then it is worth considering changing to automatic.
Do I hesitate at junctions, roundabouts and traffic lights? If the answer is yes then this could be because you feel apprehensive about moving off quickly and in good time with adequate observations because you have trouble co-ordinating the clutch and accelerator.
I have failed my test a few times in a manual car, should I try automatic? It depends why you are failing in a manual car, if you are having problems with car control such as gear changing, choosing the correct gear, moving away smoothly, hill starts and clutch control you would benefit from driving an automatic. However, changing to an automatic will not cure problems due to poor judgment, anticipation, planning and observational skills. If poor planning, judgment etc is down to you concentrating on the gears too much then yes automatics would definitely be worth a try.
Our Automatic Vauxhall Corsa
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Can I pass my test in an auto and drive a manual?
A. No, if you pass in an auto you can only drive automatic transmission cars. However, if you pass in an auto you can take a manual test at a later date at your leisure, possibly after you have gained more driving experience. You will not have to retake the theory test as you will be upgrading your automatic licence in the same category which is B.
Q. Is the driving test easier in an automatic?
A. You will take the same test as a manual driver but the automatic car will be easier to drive.
Q. I have had previous lessons in a manual and my instructor advised me to give automatics a try. Does it matter that I have previous road experience and would it confuse me to change over?
A. Quite simply no, you bring with you a wealth of knowledge when changing to automatic tuition. We at Drive Safe have advised many pupils that have had difficulties with a manual car to change over. After the initial 20 minutes getting used to not using your left foot everything else is the same. The one thing that I have noticed is the relief and joy on a pupils face that the struggling is over.