WHY AUTOMATIC LESSONS

Guide to learning in an automatic

Learning to drive in a manual car is not for everyone, especially in congested cities where changing gears and clutch control are a need. If you wish to live without the clutch pedal, it can make driving considerably easier physically, giving you more time to focus on driving safely. 

There are numerous reasons why you might want to learn in an automatic vehicle. Many people find it much more convenient than using a manual. An automatic is also a good choice if you have a disability that makes changing gears difficult.

What’s the difference between an automatic and a manual? 

Automatic and manual refer to the transmission. In other words, the gears. In a manual car, you have to change all the gears yourself. An automatic basically does it for you.  That’s not to say you don’t have gears in an automatic. They’re just a bit more basic. You sometimes get others, but the main four are: 

● P: Park - This is the same as neutral, but the wheels are locked. You should be in park when you switch the engine on or off.  

● D: Drive - Where the fun begins! This is for going forward, and the car will automatically go from first to second gear and so on. There are sometimes additional variations, but you’re likely to spend most of your journey in this gear.  

● N: Neutral - You can put the car in neutral when stopped in traffic or at lights.  

● R: Reverse - Does what it says on the tin.  In a manual car, gears are usually changed by pressing on the clutch. This means that automatic cars don’t have a clutch, making them difficult to stall. You also won’t grind the gears, or put it in the wrong gear by mistake.

When is it better to drive an automatic?

If you live in a city, an automatic transmission may be more convenient. You'll need to stop and start frequently if there's a lot of traffic. As a result, driving a manual car will need frequent gear changes and a lot of clutch labour. Automatics can also come in helpful if you reside in a mountainous location. In an automatic, hill starts are significantly easier because you don't have to locate the clutch bite and you're less likely to slide backwards.

Will I get my driving licence quicker learning to drive in an automatic? 

You certainly might do. As you don’t have to get used to the clutch and working through the gears, it’s easier to learn from scratch. This could mean fewer driving lessons.