Learning to drive :(

[Amy]

What with the aged parents having difficulty getting about, relying on sometimes almost as aged neighbours and friends, and my brothers down on the south coast, I thought I should give learning to drive another go. I do hate the things but it looks like I'll have to try to bear it

So anyone know of a good place to learn to drive an automatic? I think previous attempts (all two) were hampered by the frustration of failing to co-ordinate gear change and clutch. I was thinking of one of those intensive courses that maybe start off off-road just to get the hang of driving a large metal box with limited visibility around and not having to worry about other road users. Would be nice to try an automatic in a large open space first just to see how I get on.

[Phil H]

I would learn on manual as it give you much more choice. Just like if you mess up on gears on the bike, well so you can't accelerate so fast or you might stall. Not the end of the world. I don't much like driving automatics either.

Seeing as you've been cycling on the roads for many decades, you should already know the rules. Big difference in a car is don't worry about slowing/stopping because you don't have to unclip (in most cars anyway). For someone who is already "road aware" getting the hang of controlling a car shouldn't take too long.

[Andrew G]

If it's only for basics and necessity then an auto only test will be easier, also for your peace of mind. Driving George's van last Sunday was the first time I'd driven gears for a few years as my current and previous car are autos. If you can drive gears switching between the two is easy but starting afresh no reason not to do an auto only test if that's what you plan to drive anyway.

With an auto you just have to learn the gearbox a bit for kickdowns as they vary from car to car but it doesn't take long even if you start from scratch.

I can't help with a recommendation I'm afraid but once you have your provisional license then you can have a test spin in a quiet open car park in my car if you want before you go for the course to get a bit of familiarisation and brush away some cobwebs.

[Amy]

Thanks, guys I'll have a look round and see what's out there, but recommendations appreciated. As you say, I know how to drive on the roads, just not how to drive The instructor during my first and only real attempt admitted that I was unfazed by the roads. Not having to worry about the gears will help!

Will go and sort out reapplying for my provisional license next week...

[Amy]

Thanks, Marco - I'll give him ago. I tried looking online and got just under 50 driving instructors/schools within 2 miles of home Talk about stick a pin in and hope!!

This one made me laugh [url]http://www.apexdrivingschool.co.uk/driving-lessons-wallington.html[/url]

[sonic909]

If you want to go with manual - i know an amazing instructor.

Shes rated in the top 5% of instructors in the country and has a 97% pass rate first time.

I know about 20 people that passed with her - and they are good drivers - not just test passers!

[Amy]

Thanks, Keith, but no thanks. I have considered this quite a while and I have decided that manual is not for me.

[RachelB]

You'll have no problems Amy, The gears on a bike are much more complex than a car. I was surprised to read you do not drive - Go for gears Girl.

[Jon H]

I'm a convert to automatics; don't really see the point of inventing something to make life easier then not using it.

Having said that, I'd recommend anyone learning to drive to learn on gears, as learning and passing on automatic restricts you to only driving automatics. Makes hiring a vehicle or driving someone else's car a problem if the need arises.

[Amy]

yes, yes, I know all the pros and cons but I think I'll be finding it stressful enough without trying to get the hang of gears

My cousin learnt to drive years ago on an automatic - when they really were hard to come by - and she's not had any real problem in all this time. In fact it's only manly pride that's stopped her son from saying he likes the automatic; meanwhile her husband is a convert too

[RachelB]

[quote="Jon H"]I'm a convert to automatics; don't really see the point of inventing something to make life easier then not using it.

Having said that, I'd recommend anyone learning to drive to learn on gears, as learning and passing on automatic restricts you to only driving automatics. Makes hiring a vehicle or driving someone else's car a problem if the need arises.

[Andrew G]

That's what the RAC/AA etc are for . Automatics still have a neutral gear. "Issues" with autos are mainly from old ones when they were newer, modern autos are excellent and the gearbox gets an easier ride than a manual. My driving is either in town or motorway, in traffic autos are less faff and on the motorway it doesn't matter if you'd be in top gear anyway. Accelerating off slip roads and for over-taking isn't an issue with kick-down.

[Phil H]

Sometimes they give me an auto when my car's in for a service. I find it confusing initially - but then they've also given me ones with flappy paddles and all sorts. One of the first times I drove one (many years ago), it had a very wide brake pedal and going for the brake & clutch at the same time managed to almost pitch myself through the windscreen.

If you're an occasional driver - or renting sometimes and not planning on owning then the extra expense/complexity won't matter. Of course, they are less masculine than a manual.