Gears. They’re one of the very first things you’ll need to learn as a new driver. However, they can also be frustrating. And needless to say, we’ll all have stalled at some point while trying to get the hang of them. However, if you’ve been struggling with this, there’s another option: an automatic. But which of these is right for your needs? Well, we’ve outlined everything you should know about learning in an auto vs manual as follows to help.
Manual vs Automatic Lessons as a New Driver
As a new driver, an important decision you will need to make is whether you use a manual or automatic car. Indeed, both have pros and cons, so there’s no simple way to decide between the two. Some of the most prominent include the following.
Of course, it’s worth noting that manual cars are much more common (and affordable) than automatics. So, learning manual also makes it more affordable to buy your first car. However, always run a car check first on any second-hand vehicle to ensure you’re buying a safe car.
Why People Learn in an Automatic
With learning being enough of a challenge as it is, it’s unsurprising many people would prefer to learn automatic. There are a few key reasons behind this:
- Takes the stress out of learning to use the gearbox and clutch. This can significantly reduce the risk of stalling and allows you to learn more quickly.
- When driving automatic, you’ll be able to keep both hands on the steering wheel while driving, rather than having to worry about changing gears. This can help make driving safer as a new driver, allowing more control over the car.
Reasons to Choose a Manual Car
The benefits of automatic cars are generally pretty obvious for many people. However, it’s important to keep in mind that there are several huge drawbacks. Notably, learning manually can often be better for a variety of reasons, such as:
- Lessons in manual cars are often cheaper. This is largely due to the lower price tag of a manual car over an automatic.
- Learning on a manual system will allow you to drive both manual and auto cars. In contrast, automatic learners will only be able to drive automatic cars, limiting your options significantly.
- Manual cars allow for much greater control of the vehicle, which can prove valuable in adverse weather and the like. By putting your car in low gear, you can maintain greater grip on the road, which is often important in precariously icy or wet conditions.
Final Thoughts
Driver training, It’s a big undertaking. Of course, it can also be an incredibly rewarding process, but there are plenty of hurdles to overcome. One of the biggest for manual drivers is getting a knack for the gearbox. This can naturally be challenging, which may leave people choosing an automatic gearbox to learn with. However, doing so could potentially limit your options in the future, so considering auto vs manual carefully is important.