Driving test in an automatic

Hollyworth

Hi all.

So here's my situation. I'm 34 and don't have a drivers licence. I've been lucky to live within walking distance of every job I've had in this country, and I recently returned from living in the US where I didn't need to have my own car.
I've taken my 12 EDT lessons, but I'm really bad at everything to do with gears! Steering, positioning is fine, but I frequently stall making turns or stopping, or conk out setting off.
Gears have drained my confidence in driving. And I don't have access to a car to practice between lessons.

Now, I have just bought a house but it is out in the countryside, and for the first time in my life I will need a car. But I just don't have the confidence right now to take the test in a manual car. Can you book a test in an automatic? I went on the RSA site to book a test but I couldn't see where to find out about it.

One day, I will definitely do a test in a manual, because I know there would be a restriction on my licence if I pass my test on the automatic. But its kind of urgent now, that in a few months I'll be living in the country and not a bus stop in sight.

Hollyworth

Mr.S wrote: »

You just book a normal test, on the day of your test you will let your tester know it's an automatic.

If you pass your test in an automatic, and want to go "manual" in the future, it will be re-sitting the whole test again.

Automatic cars are getting very, very common here - you'll likely be fine and never need to go full manual

Thanks!

Goose76

Just came onto say thanks - I have my test booked in a manual but have been so anxious the past few months with pandemic etc I haven't practiced at all. I've always been a nervous driver and although I'm ok with the gears, I just feel I'd be more confident overall in an automatic.

Great to know I don't need to do anything further to change my test.

For what it's worth, I booked the test back in March and still have no date.

Airyfairy12

Theres a very long backlog for the test, I was told by my driving instructor that it's 9 months to a year, I tried to book mine a few weeks ago but they havnt given me a date. It's not ideal but it gives you lots of time to get experience in a manual car, the gears are one of the hardest parts of learning and once you overcome that you'll be flying. You have at least a year to learn before doing a test.
Automatic cars are becoming more common but they're also more expensive to buy and it leaves you limited on your license.

scrumqueen

More and more cars are now automatic and with hybrids and electric coming on stream even more so.

Unless you drive for your work and would be limited to a manual car, then buy an automatic as you need to be on the road sooner. given your new living arrangements. You will be able to focus more on the road and observations as a result.

There seems to be some odd kind of snobbery in this country about favouring manual over automatics

corks finest

scrumqueen wrote: »

More and more cars are now automatic and with hybrids and electric coming on stream even more so.

Unless you drive for your work and would be limited to a manual car, then buy an automatic as you need to be on the road sooner. given your new living arrangements. You will be able to focus more on the road and observations as a result.

There seems to be some odd kind of snobbery in this country about favouring manual over automatics

Automatic everything,cars trucks lories etc, I'd never even contemplate going manual again

Posy

For my first car, I would be looking for a small hatchback, budget of about 5k, and a small engine- max 1.4 at a push- and although not impossible, my choice would be severely limited if automatic was my only option.

It is what spurred me on to do the test in a manual; although having a great instructor helped too! Plus, the thought of having to do another driving test in the future if I ever did want a manual made me feel ill. :pac:

Grawns

Just passed my test first time in an automatic. Thought the instructor was joking when he asked me to do a hill start. Anyway I was lucky enough to have €8000 to buy an automatic car to do my lessons in. Felt in control of the car immediately. Automatic all the way! My test was originally booked for mid march so nearly 3 month delay!