Manual or Automatic:
Which Should You Learn In?

An honest look at what each licence lets you drive, and how to decide which suits you.

Learner driver changing gear in a manual car during a driving lesson

Manual or automatic? It’s one of the first choices you make when you start learning to drive, and it affects what you can drive for years to come. Here’s an honest look at both, so you can decide what’s right for you.

What each licence lets you drive

If you pass your test in a manual car, your licence lets you drive both manual and automatic cars.

If you pass your test in an automatic, your licence only covers automatic cars. To drive a manual later, you’d need to pass another practical test in a manual car. You wouldn’t need to retake your theory test, and you wouldn’t need a new provisional licence to learn.

Why learn in a manual

  • More freedom. You can drive any car, whether it’s a family car, a hire car abroad or a friend’s car.
  • More choice when buying. Many used cars, especially cheaper ones, are still manual.
  • Better car control. Using the clutch and gears teaches you a lot about how a car behaves on hills, in slow traffic and on bends.

Why some people choose automatic

  • Less to think about. With no clutch or gears, you can focus on the road.
  • It can be quicker to learn. Some people need fewer lessons in an automatic.
  • More cars are automatic now. Most electric and hybrid cars are automatic.

The downside is that an automatic-only licence limits what you can drive, and that can matter more than people expect.

Is learning manual hard?

Most learners worry about the clutch at the start. It takes a little practice, but it soon becomes second nature. Our lessons are 2 hours long, which gives you time to get the hang of it without feeling rushed.

If you’re nervous, have a look at what to expect on your first driving lesson.

Our lessons

All our lessons are one-to-one in manual cars. If you’re unsure which is right for you, give us a call on 0800 048 7098 and we’ll talk it through honestly.

Driving lessons near you

We give one-to-one manual driving lessons in Borehamwood, Colney Heath, Elstree, Harpenden, Hatfield, London Colney, Radlett, St Albans and Shenley.

Ready to start learning in a manual?

A 2 hour lesson is £80, or save £20 with our 10 hour package for £380. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.