Is doing the test in automatic easier?

FeckArseInc

I'd just like to hear from people opinions on the matter.

For those of you have done the test in automatic, did you find it much easier?

If you're not keen on driving itself and only wish to get from A to B, would you recommend driving in automatic?

JamboMac

I can't give a remark regards the test, but you don't have to worry about gears or clutch, so a little easier I'm guessing.

The issue I would have, if you want to drive a manual in the future, you have to resit the test again.

FeckArseInc

JamboMac wrote: »

I can't give a remark regards the test, but you don't have to worry about gears or clutch, so a little easier I'm guessing.

The issue I would have, if you want to drive a manual in the future, you have to resit the test again.

Thanks, I already failed in manual twice. Right now I'm working full-time and studying certs part-time, so don't really have the time or money to be endlessly doing lessons and tests.

Also, I was never that keen about driving anyway, so I figure that I should just try to just get it over with.

James Forde

FeckArseInc wrote: »

Thanks, I already failed in manual twice. Right now I'm working full-time and studying certs part-time, so don't really have the time or money to be endlessly doing lessons and tests.

Also, I was never that keen about driving anyway, so I figure that I should just try to just get it over with.

What did you fail on? Was it gears, clutch etc

FeckArseInc

James Forde wrote: »

What did you fail on? Was it gears, clutch etc

First time round it was mostly observations and a few on progress moving off. The second time round, it lashed rained on the day which completely throw me off.

Due to exams and bad weather, I haven't had much practice since.

I'm going to take a lesson in automatic, just to see if it's an improvement.

ProudDUB

I've done the test in both & passed in both. Driving an automatic car driving is much easier. So is passing the test in one, as one major aspect of your driving (clutch control & gear changing) is not being tested.

However, if you pass your test in an automatic, you will only be licensed to drive automatic cars. You can not drive manual cars, even if you learn how to drive them later on, or you knew how all along, but you were just crap at it.

That means you won't be able to buy and drive a manual car. You also won't be able to drive any manual cars belonging to your partners/family members/parents etc etc cars. If you want to get a manual license, you'll have to do your test again, in a manual car. If you are failing for poor observations and lack of progress, it sounds like the main issues for you aren't the kind of gears the car has.

Sono

An automatic is like a go kart, there's pretty much nothing to them, definitely easier!

FeckArseInc

ProudDUB wrote: »

However, if you pass your test in an automatic, you will only be licensed to drive automatic cars. You can not drive manual cars, even if you learn how to drive them later on, or you knew how all along, but you were just crap at it.

That means you won't be able to buy and drive a manual car. You also won't be able to drive any manual cars belonging to your partners/family members/parents etc etc cars. If you want to get a manual license, you'll have to do your test again, in a manual car.

Thank you for your insight and yes I am perfectly aware that I would only ever be able to drive automatic.

However....at the moment I can't drive any car at all. So as such, I believe at least being able to drive an automatic is better than nothing at all.

Idjit

FeckArseInc wrote: »

Thank you for your insight and yes I am perfectly aware that I would only ever be able to drive automatic.

However....at the moment I can't drive any car at all. So as such, I believe at least being able to drive an automatic is better than nothing at all.

I'm in the same boat as you. I'm looking to get a full license quickly now for the necessity of getting from A to B for a new job. I will eventually re-sit the test for the Manual license when I have the time/money for extra lessons.

Every time somebody asks if the automatic test is easier, half the replies are going on about which transmission type is superior instead of answering the original poster with genuine experience/insights relevant to the OP.

I am sitting the automatic test next month. The general consensus I have gotten from my instructor (who has acted as a tester for both transmissions) is that the test itself isn't necessarily easier with regards to the fact that you still have to be rigid with observations and the same rules as Manual.

However, a lot of people choose to go with an automatic transmission if they require a full license quickly (for work especially) because there's one less element of the test to be marked down on (i.e. gears, clutch control, coasting, hillstart etc) so it's a bit more likely you'll pass just because there are comparatively less mistakes to make.

I'd still recommend doing a bunch of pre-test lessons, considering that the main reasons people fail the driving test is usually things like observation that has nothing to do with your transmission.

cantdecide

Just my 2c

I had this conversation with someone at work today and I'm helping my gf learn to drive at the moment and my answer is this- if you're committed to learning to drive in a proactive way then you learning to handle a manual box will be a big factor but it's not the only big factor. Of course it will lessen the workload but is it worth putting up with the disadvantages of living in a country where the overwhelming majority of cars are manual? Not really, in my humble and honest opinion. I say get the bit between the teeth and get it done right first time- you'll be glad you did.

My gf started out extremely nervously. She has completed half her EDT lessons and has got maybe an hours lesson on average once a week with me (it's not enough but I'm up to my neck in exam revision) but she's already zooming up and down the gearbox now.

There's no easy answer to the question asked but IMO there's no substitute to a committed and concerted effort no matter which transmission you choose.

dmm82

I spent almost ten years on and off learning how to drive and couldnt grasp it, I was just too nervous. I eventually did one lesson in an automatic and then bought myself a little automatic car and havnt looked back since... passed my test a few months later. People advised me not to do the test in an automatic but i dont regret it one bit. Im now driving three years and have no want or need to drive a manual car. Everyones different but i definitely would recommend the automatics

cantdecide

dmm82 wrote: »

I spent almost ten years on and off learning how to drive and couldnt grasp it, I was just too nervous. I eventually did one lesson in an automatic and then bought myself a little automatic car and havnt looked back since... passed my test a few months later. People advised me not to do the test in an automatic but i dont regret it one bit. Im now driving three years and have no want or need to drive a manual car. Everyones different but i definitely would recommend the automatics

Out of curiosity have you ever gone back and tried a manual as an experienced motorist?

It would also be interesting to hear from the perspective of people who went back around and got the manual licence after first getting an auto.

B2theT

First car was automatic, and it was assume, automatic is way easier , only thing is you will always have to buy automatic cars which aren't as plenty as manuals and are usually more expensive, but if you don't care then do the test in automatic and if need be at a later stage in life do the test in automatic, the main thing tester a are looking for is safe driving, observation parking, three point turn, not if your a a professional gear changer

dmm82

cantdecide wrote: »

Out of curiosity have you ever gone back and tried a manual as an experienced motorist?

It would also be interesting to hear from the perspective of people who went back around and got the manual licence after first getting an auto.

No i haven't, i did think about it but dont see the point of putting myself through more stress and expense when im flying around now and love my little car also automatics are a lot more plentiful now than they used to be

biko

Driving an auto as a learner does help with many things, for instance the car won't stall, it won't roll back on a hill start and there is no shifting gears which may take attention away from the road.
But you're then restricted to auto cars in future.

B2theT

cantdecide wrote:

It would also be interesting to hear from the perspective of people who went back around and got the manual licence after first getting an auto.

To honest if everyone had automatics it would help with traffic, as it would speed up with people at lights that take ages to get in gear and get going, and people parking ...just a thought..

ProudDUB

Driving an automatic car is not going to help you pass the test, (or be a good driver in general) if your observational skills, road positioning, signalling, knowledge of roundabouts etc etc are piss poor. But if they are piss poor, because you are concentrating too much on clutch control, what gear you are in etc, then yes, one can impact the other. So driving an automatic car, can remove one of the things that leads to bad driving, but it is going to be different for everyone.

There is a massive amount of anti automatic snobbery here in Ireland imo. It's usually from people who have never owned an automatic car, never shopped for one, or never driven one for extended periods of time, other than on their holliers in Orlando. If you are able and willing to blot out the noise and to weigh up the pros and cons of driving both, it is definitely an option for far more people than you would think.

cantdecide wrote: »

Out of curiosity have you ever gone back and tried a manual as an experienced motorist?

It would also be interesting to hear from the perspective of people who went back around and got the manual licence after first getting an auto.

What do you want to know? When I moved back here from the US, I did my first test in an automatic car, just so I could get my Irish license. Went back a few months later and passed the manual test, so I could drive the cars of some of my relations. It was very easy, but I probably wouldn't have passed either test, if I didn't go to a professional instructor and get pointers on what Irish testers look for in a test. I had had 15 yrs of accident free driving under my belt at that stage. I thought I knew it all. Turns out, I didn't. The willingness to admit that, is what makes a good driver imo...not what kind of car they are driving.

JTL

If I had to do it all over again, I would have learned in an automatic. Far easier and I spent way too much time/money/worrying on passing test in a manual car.

cantdecide

For the record I absolutely love auto cars and any time I've gone car shopping will always try to look for one as a criteria but finding one that works for me at a reasonable price has been difficult.

Also, my work is related to the NDLS and the oldest person I've ever seen pass the driving test was an 86yo woman and it was a manual car. It can be done if the will is there to submit to the learning process.

ProudDUB wrote: »

What do you want to know? When I moved back here from the US, I did my first test in an automatic car, just so I could get my Irish license. Went back a few months later and passed the manual test, so I could driver the cars of some of my relations. It was very easy,

Well that kinda proves the point- if the will is there and you seek the right help, it's just a chapter in the story, IMO.

ProudDUB wrote: »

...but I probably wouldn't have passed either one, if I didn't go to a professional instructor and get pointers on what Irish testers look for an a test. I had had 15 yrs of accident free driving under my belt at that stage and thought I knew it all. Turns out, I didn't. The willingness to admit that, is what makes good driver imo...not what kind of car they are driving.

What I don't understand is why driving schools don't give initial training in auto and then move over to manual once there is some basic skill. Having said that, it comes to mind that many students would refuse to move over to manual??

Many many many learners believe they will be that one driver in 10000 that will simply be unable to drive. Probably most of them think this actually. I think it's more important to demonstrate that all driving skills are learnable if the will is there.

DM addict

I'd be interested to know what people think. I did a few lessons in a manual car, when back in the UK. Never got to the test taking stage.

Subsequently have moved to the US and drive over here - in an automatic. Test over here is MUCH easier than in UK/Ireland, but I'm now a reasonably confident driver, but only in an automatic. Will be back in Ireland in the summer and the husband has agreed to let me go around a few private roads in his old manual car to see how I manage it. When/if we move back, I'll be looking to take the test in Ireland, but no idea how easy/difficult I'll find it - especially as there's different rules and the whole "wrong side of the road" thing to worry about!

ProudDUB

I moved back here in 2011 from the US. I had to do the mandatory 12 EDT lessons, as I never had a license before I moved away. It was fine really. I had a really good instructor and he told me I was a good driver to begin with, so I think that was the battle half won. Initially I was nervous about the wrong side of the road thing, but that was fine too. I found that what really, really helped was that I'd go out driving for a couple of hours and just follow the car in front of me for a few miles. Then I'd pick another car and follow that one. I had no destination in mind and didn't really care where I went. It was a great way to train my brain to get used to being on the left side of the road. When you don't have the stress of having to figure out where you are going, you can really relax and just concentrate on the road and your driving. The biggest problem for me wasn't the wrong side of the road thing. It was dealing with all the things that don't really exist in the US, to the extent that they do here... the pedestrians, roundabouts, big double deckers buses etc etc.

FeckArseInc

Thanks very much for all your replies.

I've been thinking it over a few times and I've decided that I'm going to give manual one more try.

I did the test twice last year. Once in August and I got 14 grade 2s. Afterwards my plan was to try it again and again a few times and hopefully improve each time even by a little bit until eventually I got a grade 7 or lower.

I tried it again in December and unfortunately it lashed rained very heavily during my test which really put my off and did very poorly in several things.

Since there's been a combination of bad winter weather, and also started studying part-time courses, I haven't been out much since.


Anyway I decided to manual again, bought a few more pre-test lessons and arranged to practice with my family again. Along with registering for the test (date hasn't been given yet).

I'm guessing it may be June or July, and if there's at least an improve from the first time, then I'll keep at it.

If however there's still no improve despite more practice I'll make the switch to automatic.

I figure that seems reasonable.

Redser87

I got ten grade twos in my first test in a manual, two were gear-related so had I been in an automatic, maybe I would have scraped a pass. got a cancellation the following week and passed with just three faults, none to do with gears or clutch. I have never driven an automatic but I must say I enjoy the work that goes along with a manual, deciding when to change gears, giving it welly for a steep hill start, whatever.
Good luck with the test!

Sam Kade

FeckArseInc wrote: »

First time round it was mostly observations and a few on progress moving off. The second time round, it lashed rained on the day which completely throw me off.

Due to exams and bad weather, I haven't had much practice since.

I'm going to take a lesson in automatic, just to see if it's an improvement.

Do you think an automatic gearbox will solve those?

Stenth

I just got a learner's permit and intend to learn to drive - and take the test - in an automatic. If I feel I really need it in the future, I can learn how to use a clutch and re-do the test, but to be honest I think I will be able to manage without it. Yes, it might be more difficult/expensive to buy or rent cars as I will limit my options significantly. But then, I have survived without a car for all of my life so far, so it doesn't seem that impossible.

However, literally everyone I have mentioned my plan to has told me that I am being really stupid.

(I do plan to move to the US within a year or so. My impression is that automatic cars are more common there.)

ProudDUB

Stenth wrote: »

I just got a learner's permit and intend to learn to drive - and take the test - in an automatic. If I feel I really need it in the future, I can learn how to use a clutch and re-do the test, but to be honest I think I will be able to manage without it. Yes, it might be more difficult/expensive to buy or rent cars as I will limit my options significantly. But then, I have survived without a car for all of my life so far, so it doesn't seem that impossible.

However, literally everyone I have mentioned my plan to has told me that I am being really stupid.

(I do plan to move to the US within a year or so. My impression is that automatic cars are more common there.)

Ignore them. I got the very same reaction when I bought my automatic Ford Focus. I had loads to choose from when I bought it and it is no more difficult or expensive to run & maintain than any other car. If you aware of the limitations (such as not being able to drive the manual cars of friends and family member) and are are ok with them, then go for it. There is a massive anti automatic bias in Ireland, but I think it is down to ignorance, as so few Irish people have ever shopped for one, owned one, maintained one, or driven one for long periods of time. Or they are petrol heads who really care about how the car "feels". They don't understand that some people just want to get from A to B in the easiest way possible and don't really care all that much about being the new Ayrton Senna. :rolleyes:

Yes, automatics are far more common in the US.

cantdecide

Stenth wrote: »

However, literally everyone I have mentioned my plan to has told me that I am being really stupid.

You've argued with literally everyone you've discussed this with and you've decided you know better but this is your prerogative.

Stenth wrote: »

(I do plan to move to the US within a year or so. My impression is that automatic cars are more common there.)

You realise we don't exchange licences with the US and you'll have to do another driving test there? Maybe this will have some bearing on your situation or maybe not. Just thought I'd mention it.

For the record, my dad's car, an automatic, is in the driveway with a knackered transmission (some control module is blown- the car and probably box itself are fine but the box is going to need a tear-down from a specialist to get to the controller) and he's driving his manual van instead. I say that as someone who's very pro-automatic. My one and only auto, which I loved, a Subaru, had a knackered box too causing the car to be eventually scrapped because the best quote for a rebuild was €1,300.

They probably don't go wrong much more often than manuals IME but when they do, it's usually much more expensive. Try the motoring forum for maintence and repair experience maybe.

If you're determined to beat the system, then do it so but trust me, if you pass the test in an auto then you're just going to take the trouble you save now and multiply it by 10 in the future. If you do go to the trouble of reapplying for the manual test you'll kick yourself and how little difference there is between manual and auto. But again, this is your prerogative and it doesn't make any difference to me or anyone else you ask.

ShaShaBear

I never understood the intense distaste most of the inhabitants of this country seem to have for automatic cars.
I got my first licence when I was 18, and straight away started doing manual lessons (before the mandatory 12 was announced). 28 lessons later and I still was causing trouble on the road and panicking as I had two options - concentrate on the gears and risk missing a critical observation or concentrate on the road and risk making a mistake and cutting out the car (and possibly causing an accident). I stalled the car on my 28th lesson trying to start on a hill, and the car ended up rolling and I screamed non-stop until the instructor stopped us and put up the handbrake.

OH saw how terrified I was, and when it was time for us to buy a new car (just over 1 year ago), we bought an automatic. We budgeted 5k maximum as we wanted a newer car. Within ten minutes on websites, we had narrowed it down to 17 possibilities (I actually just found the old folder with the saved ads last night on my PC), and went for a Northern Reg Kia Picanto (06) with 8000 miles for 4k. Spent another €500 roughly getting it taxed, NCT'd (passed straight away), VRT'd and plated. I really don't know why people think that there's only like 5 automatics in the country at one time and they must all go on little car holidays during peak shopping season! :pac: There's TONNES of them, in ALL price ranges!

Anywho, driving it is a dream. I am very, very confident as I have nothing to concentrate on in the car (apart from my speed) and can put full attention into observation. And since I don't need to worry about a clutch, I can apply brakes without worrying about the car stalling, or having issue starting/stopping on a hill.

If you can't drive any car, or can only drive an automatic, and an emergency arises with only a manual car available, you have exactly the same bloomin' choices either way - get the person who owns the manual to drive it, call emergency services or do nothing. Every time the topic comes up, someone mentions this and I don't know why they haven't copped that you would be no worse off either way. It's not like people who can drive automatics implode and self-combust when starting a manual or something!

PS: Since we bought the car, all we've had to do is get it one service and 4 new tyres. No issues whatsoever. My Father-In-Law, who drives a much newer manual, has spent almost €1000 this year alone in unexpected repairs. Price of mechanical work is subjective, as there are plenty of manual makes that cost an incredible lot to fix something seemingly minor.

JamboMac

A manual transmission would be cheaper to fix then automatic one, everything else in every car is basically identical, depending on what comes as standard. Those of us who like driving manuals, is probably because we like the complete control of the gears and they don't take concentration away from the road when your use to it.

Today's automatic is a big improvement on the ones many years ago which they would have been where the bad rep came from. Plus gears help you control your speed as you tend to learn different gears for speeds.

ProudDUB

cantdecide wrote: »

You've argued with literally everyone you've discussed this with and you've decided you know better but this is your prerogative.

If you're determined to beat the system, then do it so but trust me, if you pass the test in an auto then you're just going to take the trouble you save now and multiply it by 10 in the future. If you do go to the trouble of reapplying for the manual test you'll kick yourself and how little difference there is between manual and auto. But again, this is your prerogative and it doesn't make any difference to me or anyone else you ask.

What system? There is no system. There is no one set way of driving/changing gears that everyone is supposed to abide by, or one typical car that we are all supposed to drive. There are different types of cars for different people. If the OP decides that one type of car suits him/her better than another kind, then good luck to them. They are not breaking any rules. I did my first test in an automatic car, just so that I could get my license. Then a few months later, I went back and did the test again in a manual. I don't regret it for a minute.

cantdecide

ProudDUB wrote: »

What system? There is no system. There is no one set way of driving/changing gears that everyone is supposed to abide by, or one typical car that we are all supposed to drive. There are different types of cars for different people. If the OP decides that one type of car suits him/her better than another kind, then good luck to them. They are not breaking any rules. I did my first test in an automatic car, just so that I could get my license. Then a few months later, I went back and did the test again in a manual. I don't regret it for a minute.

I just put in the extra effort up front and saved myself the extra time, money and stress and I don't regret doing it my way either. If fact I'd definitely advocate doing it my way. It makes a lot of sense to just be done with it IMO and it was barely a chore at all. But the OP is entitled to do it whichever way works for them.

ProudDUB

Yes, they are. And they are also entitled to learn how to drive, buy a car and just get on the road in general, in whatever manner suits them best, without being abused, derided or belittled for their choices. Am not accusing you of doing that, but there is definitely an anti automatic snobbery here in Ireland, that comes across from a lot of posts here.

People should feel free to offer up their own personal opinions and experiences on doing things, but when people cross over that line, it just bugs me. There is more than one way to skin a cat, as my dear, departed mother used to say. Or 250 million Americans can't all be wrong, as I like to say.

FeckArseInc

Just to let everyone know....

After a few months for not driving (a combination of bad weather, no-one being available to drive with and part-time studying), I went out with my family members. I offered to drive my Mom into work for her and practiced with my Father for a hour one afternoon and then again the following week.


I then also took an hour with an instructor in his car. All of this was in manual so I put myself back on the horse so to speak.


It actually really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

The instructor told me that I can drive. I just need to fine tune everything, especially my observations and then gave me advice on when and where to look out for certain things.


So I'm actually going to stick with manual.