Learning To Drive In An Automatic Car

Many people wonder whether learning to drive in an automatic car is easier than learning to drive in a car with a manual gearbox.

The simple answer is yes - but only in so far as you don't have to worry about clutch control and changing gear - but you do still have to worry about everything else!

Although it may seem far easier to not have to worry about gears and a clutch pedal, in reality, most people have few problems mastering them eventually, even if this aspect of driving doesn't seem to "come naturally" at first!

An automatic car has an automatic gearbox that changes the gears for you and only two foot pedals which are operated with the right foot.

If you pass your driving test in an automatic car your driving licence will ONLY allow you to drive automatic cars and will not cover you to drive a car with a manual gearbox.

If you pass in a manual car you can drive both manual and automatic cars as your driving licence will cover you for both types.

Here's a few more things to take into consideration if you're thinking about learning to drive in an automatic;

1. There are far more driving instructors who teach in manual cars than teach in automatic cars, so it may be more difficult to find an instructor,
2. Lessons in an automatic car tend to be more expensive,
3. After you pass your driving test, there is a much narrower range of automatic cars available when compared to manual cars.

 

Government drops plans to make it compulsory for driving instructors to sit in on all driving tests

The Driving Standards Agency have done a U-turn on their plans to make it compulsory for learner drivers to have their driving instructor or accompanying driver present in the car when they take their driving test.

The plans which were first proposed in the 2008 "Learning To Drive" Consultation Paper were intended to be introduced from October 2010.

Transport Secretary, Lord Andrew Adonis said that the change of plan was "to avoid unnecessary regulation".

Instead, test candidates will be "encouraged" to have their accompanying driver present throughout the test.

Lord Adonis said;
"We want all learner drivers, from the start of the process, to consider the benefits of having an observer with them on their test.

'Having someone sitting in will enhance their learning experience and, in turn, improve road safety. An observer who has witnessed the test can give far better advice to the learner on how they performed and what areas of their driving they need to work on - whether they pass or fail.

'But after reviewing plans we have decided that encouraging candidates to take an observer is much more appropriate than introducing regulations to make it compulsory."

For more details please see;

Daily Mail:  Government drops plans to force driving instructors to sit in on their pupils L-tests

Driving Test Tips - How To Do The Manoeuvres!

During your driving test, the examiner will ask you to perform two set manoeuvres in addition to general driving.

There are four possible manoeuvres and the examiner will pick two of these for you to carry out. All of the manoeuvres involve you demonstrating that you can reverse your car accurately, safely, under control and with consideration for other road users.

The four manoeuvres are;

Turn In The Road
Reverse Around A Corner
Reverse Parking Into A Marked Bay
Parallel Parking

In addition, one in three test candidiates will also be asked to carry out an Emergency Stop which although it is not a reversing manoeuvre, requires you to stop your vehicle quickly, safely and under control.

For detailed information about how to correctly carry out each of the manoeuvres and the Emergency Stop exercise, please see;

Driving Test Manoeuvres

How To Do An Emergency Stop On Your Driving Test

The emergency stop (sometimes referred to as a "controlled stop") is an exercise that is carried out at random in around one in three UK driving tests.

The aim of the emergency stop is for the learner driver to demonstrate to the examiner that they are able to stop the car quickly and under control in an emergency situation.

I've written a guide on how to do an emergency stop correctly and under control complete with step-by-step instructions and a video tutorial.

For more information please click the following link;

How To Do An Emergency Stop

Reversing Around A Corner - Tips For Your Driving Test!

Reversing round a corner is one of the manoeuvres the examiner may ask you to do on your driving test.

This usually involves turning the car around by reversing into a side road on your left.

The reverse round a corner seems to be the manoeuvre that many learners find most daunting, but once mastered, it's pretty straightforward - the secret is knowing how to reverse around a corner properly followed by plenty of practice!

I've written a guide on how to reverse around a corner complete with step-by-step instructions and video tutorials.

For more information, please see; How To Reverse Around A Corner