Learning to drive - Manual or automatic ?

[Lucille]

i will able to learn to drive soon and i'm tempted to just go for automatic lessons as I feel it would be easier and less anxious? Any advice/opinions peeps?

[Breakeven]

start with manual

[KidImage]

Start with manual its funner and easier to control. Automatic is just there and manual goes faster

[Sonic Boom]

Start with automatic to get used to the road, other drivers etc and to raise your confidence. Then learn to drive manual for your driving test.

[Auzzie 94]

i will able to learn to drive soon and i'm tempted to just go for automatic lessons as I feel it would be easier and less anxious? Any advice/opinions peeps?

Start with manual once you can drive a manual an automatic is easy as.

[JackOfClubs]

It'll be a lot easier to learn in an automatic, but a lot more useful to learn in the manual. If my mother had let me drive her car, which is a manual, when I was learning I definitely would have.

[anonymous53]

I'd say learn manual, then go to automatic.

[Ender]

Automatic allows you as a student driver to have more focus on road and driving conditions. Gives you one less thing to worry about. As you become an experienced driver, if you still want to learn the skill of manual driving, go for it. :)

[Steve Jobs]

I CAN drive manual and I regret choosing an automatic (because I thought it'd be less of a hassle everyday). I see knowing how to drive manual as an asset, not a necessity or a right. If you find the learning stage hard, start with automatic then pick manual up later if you're interested.

[AirCooled]

Studies have shown people who learn on a manual are better drivers and have fewer wrecks.

[crzy15]

learn manual first !!!

[mrjoely]

manual is better, im learning at the moment but after a few lessons the fact you have to change gear makes no difference.. you get used to it and do it without thinking :) saves time and money, possibly more rewarding when you pass too

[Infidelitas]

Studies have shown people who learn on a manual are better drivers and have fewer wrecks.

Sources?

[Jdawg91]

Learn with a manual and drive with an auto,auto's are far less stressful when starting on hills lol

[Stronger]

I would say learn automatic first, then challenge yourself with manual but seems people think the reverse

[Skyhawk]

The only real way to drive a car is a manual car, automatic's lazy*.

*excludes people with disabilities, handicraps, and Priuses

[Jag14]

automatic!

[AirCooled]

Here's one: http://jad.sagepub.com/content/10/2/212.abstract

Also, the US has quite a higher rate of fatal accidents than the UK - 1.0191 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles per year in the UK against 1.4583 deaths per hundred million vehicle miles per year in the USA. The USA has an about 85/15 ratio in favour of automatic transmissions, and in the UK it's about the opposite.

[enzenzz]

learning manual will make it much easier for you to drive any type of car, but if you are never planning on driving a manual just stick to auto

[farmer42296]

We have 3 dodge trucks a 2001 1/2 ton ram automatic a 1999 3/4 ton ram cummings 5-speed and a 1994 Dakota 5-speed and I like to drive the standards better. But I also come from a farm so standards are the way to go.

[Archimedes]

I started with manual and I think it's OK

[Recreated]

Manual is always the best option, in case you run low on money and can only afford manual. Manual is also funner to use

[cdude22]

defs. a manual they are cheaper and fun

[User_Does Not Exist]

Manuals cheaper than Automatics, but if you want real fun, Double-Cluth is the best option, nothing more fun than clickin the paddle and feeling the pull!!!

[Lucille]

thanks for all the advice and replies :)

[MJohn]

I'm 15 and I've always been driving automatic since I was 14 when I got my learners, when I get my license at 16. I think I'll go for automatic.

[Tina36DD]

I can drive both. It helps my Dad colects classic cars. My first car will be a 1961 pontiac tempest 2 door he's owned since high school. That car is sweeet! He gave it to me, but I can't drive it on the road til I get my permit. It is white with a red interior. I named her Lucille, since she's so sexy and reminds me of Lucille Ball (white with red hair, LOL;).

[christianteen]

Manual. If you just learn on automatic then when it does come down to learning to drive on manual it will be harder because you're already used to automatic.

[Rayquaza]

Manual is a good idea, although I just hope for your sake they dont start making cars ONLY with automatic.

[transportphile]

i dont have a licence but i learned how to drive with manuel. if you pass your test on automatic you can only drive automatic with manuel you can drive both

[kezyy]

always learn with manual

[Thunduhbuhlt]

i will able to learn to drive soon and i'm tempted to just go for automatic lessons as I feel it would be easier and less anxious? Any advice/opinions peeps?

Do manual first, because if you don't, you probably will never learn. Plus there are a lot of perks to manual, and you don't want to avoid manual cars, they are fun!

[Taylorxbox]

Start with an automatic. That way you don't have to think about the stick and clutch and worry about killing it. Definatly learn on an auto. Once you get that down, then go to a manual.

[CoolCaliGuy]

Try Automatic If its easy go for manual.
I love to street race so I chose manual hehe

[Hermes]

In response to AirCooled the study you refer looked at people with ADHD. Extrapolating to the general population may not be valid.

Also just because the death rate per mile is lower in the UK than in the USA and the ratio of manual transmission higher does not mean one causes the other. There may be other differences between the countries such as minimum age to drive, test and training standards, attitudes for example to speed and drink driving, types of road etc.

Much of Europe has predominantly manual transmission and many countries in Europe have a very poor death rate though some a very good.

Back to the original question I learnt and passed my test in a manual because here in the UK that allows you to drive either whereas if you take the test in an automatic you are restricted to driving those. It probably was slightly slower to learn but not by much and certainly less time overall than taking the test in an auto and then going back to take it again in a manual.

[FojeJC]

Manual of course.
Or get a bike instead.

[British Royale]

I would start with a manual gearbox, they are practically a safety item. I the event of brake failures, you can engine brake, when your battery is dead, you can bump start them unlike auto'boxes. You can revmatch to safetly intervien rough tarain and finally, the toughness of them. They are hard to kill :)

[kitzz]

Better to start with Manual :)

[garrettu]

If you don't have any expirence with a manual transmission then don't start off with it, I would get used to driving and then try a manual transmission.

[Cognizant]

Even though these days most cars are automatic, Manual is a good way to get a good start on controlling the many functions you need to take care of at once. Once you master that, automatic will be a breeeese.
Same with Off-road trails. It's good practice too because (at least in california) the rules of the road don't apply so you can get extra practice :)

[Iron Man]

Do a manual. Makes it easier to drive most vehicles.

[ramgoat647]

My advice, if you live in Canada or any other country where there are tests for the licence, start with manual. I know with me, having to remember to check my mirrors, signal, know where everything is, and everything else is a handful. Having to remember to change gears would be too much. I say learn in automatic and when you are comfortable with automatic then try manual. I think that will be the best course of action.