Manual or Automatic Driving Lessons: Which Should You Learn In?

One of the first decisions you’ll make is whether to learn in a manual or an automatic car. Both get you a full licence, but they don’t let you drive the same cars.

What your licence covers

• Pass in a manual and you can drive both manual and automatic cars.
• Pass in an automatic and you can only drive automatics. To drive a manual later, you’d need to pass another practical test in a manual car.

Learning in a manual

A manual car has a clutch and gears, so there’s more to learn at the start, especially clutch control and hill starts. Once it clicks, it becomes second nature, and you’ll be able to drive any car you’re likely to buy, borrow or hire. Our guide to clutch control and hill starts explains the basics.

Learning in an automatic

An automatic changes gear for you, so you can focus on the road from the start. Some learners pick it up more quickly, and it can suit people who find coordination stressful. Electric cars are automatic too, so it’s worth thinking about what you’ll drive in future.

Which should you choose?

If you want the most freedom, learn in a manual. If the clutch is putting you off learning at all, or you know you’ll only ever drive automatics, an automatic licence may be the better fit.

Driving First teaches in a manual car at the moment, with automatic lessons coming soon. See our beginner lessons, or join the automatic waitlist on the homepage.