Young drivers and manual transmissions
why are new drivers starting to make the switch to automatics?
Like many, if not all, of us on DRIVETRIBE, I am a huge car and driving fan. This, I believe is one one of the main reasons I decided to learn to drive in a manual transmission car. However, a lot of young drivers I have spoken to recently have decided to learn in an automatic transmission vehicle. I wanted to find out why this is.
One of the main things that draws people to driving a manual is the fact that you are in complete control of the car. Not only is this an exciting experience, but it is also makes driving, even daily driving, a lot more fun! So why are more and more young drivers making the switch to automatics?
Laziness?
Of course, learning to drive a manual can be very hard to do until you get the hang of it. So is it just a simple case of learner drivers wanting to make the process of learning to drive as easy as possible? This could be one of the main factors, especially since the roads are becoming busier and busier.
However, I still do not believe this is enough of a reason for more and more young people learning to drive in automatic transmission cars. This is especially true when a driver is faced with a beautiful, winding road!
Insurance prices?
Of course, we all know the main obstacle between a young driver and the keys to their first car is insurance prices. Young drivers will do more and more to reduce the price of their insurance premiums. Could driving an automatic transmission car really improve your insurance quotes?
In my experience, no. I currently own a 1998 Peugeot 106. Of course, it is a manual transmission and although it is only a very small engine, it is extremely fun to drive. When I bought my first car, I had the choice between a manual and an automatic. So I got a quote for each. The insurance price for the automatic car was more. Of course, there are other factors such as the price of the car, the year and the make and model. However, the two cars were virtually identical. Both Peugeot 106s. The only difference was the automatic was 1 year newer. So in my experience, insurance prices are not to blame.
wHAT DO YOU THINK?
Or are you a young driver yourself. In which case, what have you learned to drive in? Get in touch in the comments section below.
So get in touch. What do you think is causing more and more young drivers to learn to drive in an automatic, rather than a manual?
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Comments (7)
Just an observation - The lucky lady in that photo is learning to drive in a Jag! I learned in my instructor's Seat Ibiza but ok lol. That Ibiza was a manual.
My Mother recently learned to drive and chose to do so in an auto and, I'm afraid to say, it was a bit of a lack of co-ordination on her part. Very good at driving an auto but I wouldn't dream of getting in a manual with her!
Having driven both, I find that my whole left hand side feels redundant in an auto, it is weird!
Hi Hayley, thanks for the comment! Yes, in regards to the lady driving the lovely Jag, I was hoping readers would notice that little Easter egg, haha! In regards to your other point, I have driven both autos and manuals and yes, I do find my left...
Read moretotally. It feels like you really ought to be doing something. There have been times in her car where iv pulled away from lights and went looking for 2nd gear. Not to be found!