Evening Child has just got learner's licence. I learned on a manual car as come from Europe. Was thinking about ensuring child learns on a manual car also. Is that even possible here or are all driving schools using automatics? Mainly because if they went to work back in Europe the vast majority of cars are manuals. many thanks Mrs Rob
intrade,
Feb 10, 8:38pm
get G27 steering 6 speed and pedals brake clutch gas. and buy on steam eurotruck simulator2. The trucks are stalling if you dont use the clutch correctly on the hills . best way to learn without burning out real clutches. You also dont need driving schools here like in europe . if you wondered why no one can drive here . haha
tweake,
Feb 10, 8:41pm
i think its always best to learn in a manual car. there is some important skills that a manual forces you to learn. while manuals are reducing in number, there is still a lot of them around.
tygertung,
Feb 10, 8:42pm
Easiest to learn on a manual as it doesn't take that long to work out how to use the clutch.
Just tell your child to let the clutch pedal out real slow and you'll be on to a winner.
sr2,
Feb 10, 8:49pm
The ability to use a manual transmission in no way makes someone a "better" or "safer" driver; I'd stick with learning on the far more common & easily available auto trans. If in the future he/she needs to learn how to drive a stick shift with the road skills already learnt and mastered the transition should not be an issue.
bigfatmat1,
Feb 10, 9:09pm
We had a manual loan car at work. The amount of people who asked if we had a auto instead because they couldn't drive a manual was astounding. Everyone should know how to drive a manual helps you understand a vehicle more. Hey thats just my opinion though.
wind.turbine,
Feb 10, 9:13pm
I disagree, I learnt in a manual, my sister in an auto, both a year apart back in those days, I feel like I am much more over confident driver and I don't fall into the trap as many do of getting distracted by things that take you away from driving. You cant get distracted in a manual, esp in heavy traffic, you constantly need to be thinking ahead all the time where the likes of my sister cannot do that even general driving and even years later still crap if she jumps in a manual as she just does not have the basic knowledge on operating a clutch correctly.
I think it all comes down to where the learner is taken to start off with, if they start of in very quiet roads where they can get a grasp of starting and stopping then they should then be able to confidently go into busier roads and be able to handle the manual
sr2,
Feb 10, 9:21pm
I would suggest that the issue was with the driving instructor not the pupil? (Or was it another family job).
socram,
Feb 10, 9:24pm
Not often I disagree with #5, sr2, but I'd suggest it is easier to transition from a manual to an auto than vice versa - and more importantly, there are no licence issues.
I usually have a hire car in the UK and most rental cars there are manual. It is quite hilarious but also frustrating, to be in the queue behind someone who has been allocated a manual car, but jumps up and down because they can't drive one!
On the other side of the coin, the first time I drove an automatic, but was driving Minis at the time, it was the boss's new Aston Martin DBS (which is also a very wide car) and I had to take it from the middle of a busy city, in the rush hour, exiting the narrow drive way, and turning right.
I certainly wouldn't have wanted to have swapped from an auto to a manual in those circumstances.
meow_mix,
Feb 10, 9:44pm
Mum taught me to drive in her old Ford Escort which had a 4-speed manual gearbox, it was a cool car, would do unbelievable FWD burnouts. Since then she has owned a Skyline and now a Rover 75, both autos, and now she can't remember how to drive a manual.
tweake,
Feb 10, 9:47pm
i disagree entirely on that. sequencing hand movements and more importantly thinking ahead are two very important habits to get into early on. something a manual forces you to do. that makes for a much safer driver.
the other thing is just understanding whats going on. even in an auto it pays to know about changing gears and what that does, especially as most cars have a least two gearbox modes plus being able to select manually.
sr2,
Feb 10, 9:55pm
30 years ago I would have probably agreed with you; in our modern world we are looking for spatial awareness, risk management and car control skills. Not the ability to use an out dated manual transmission.
drog,
Feb 10, 10:03pm
This. Absolutely.
lovelurking,
Feb 10, 10:04pm
I’m old now and had no option but to drive manuals when I was learning to drive because autos were either nonexistent or too expensive for my family, I’m not sure which. 🤔
The positives about learning to drive a manual is you get to understand how the engine, gearbox etc works and they are far more fun because they are much better for doing burnouts. 😘
2sheddies,
Feb 10, 10:13pm
I can't agree. If at all possible, I'd teach them in a manual. I've seen many who just can't, for whatever reason, get their brain around doing more than two things at once. If they attempt to use a manual, all their attention is focused solely on the gear lever to the detriment of everything else, including what's going on around them. Put them in an auto and suddenly they can drive. Putting these same people into a manual post full licence, having never mastered one, is plain dangerous. All those road skills you mention will go completely out the window as they place full attention on trying to coordinate clutch, throttle and gears. I've tried to teach an auto driver the art of a manual myself. it's like trying to teach them to drive all over again from scratch.
It's preposterous that you can gain a full licence having never touched a manual, yet you're legally entitled to operate one.
sr2,
Feb 10, 10:24pm
Guys we may be at the stage where we need to agree to disagree. (However enjoying the debate).
I've yet to hear a rational argument that mastering a stick shift trans makes a person safer behind the wheel and in the very near future (particularly with EV's on the near horizon) they will become as relevant to modern motoring as carburetors, hydrovac brake boosters and recirculating ball steering boxes are today.
Why not focus on teaching the skills the young drivers need to master in todays ever changing automotive landscape?
I will point out however that being an old, one eyed stubborn bastard I still insist on driving a manual on a daily basis in Auckland's stop/start traffic!
realtrader1,
Feb 10, 10:35pm
To answer your actual questions. Re driving schools just ring around to find out. The other question relates to manual v auto but it seems you have answered that really as it sounds as though there is a likelihood of the living and working in Europe. Personally and from what you have said, I would get them learning in a manual. Re taking the clutch out really slowly. be careful! That can lead to a burnt out clutch! What is needed is the correct teaching of how to manage the clutch and gear lever correctly!
cjohnw,
Feb 10, 10:35pm
Just as an aside, if you wish to join the NZ Armed Forces you must have a manual licence.
gmphil,
Feb 10, 10:36pm
kids learn easier ! better learn in manual now as some struggle master new thing as get older
2sheddies,
Feb 10, 10:43pm
I completely agree with you that it has nothing to do with making you a safer driver. Just better skilled.
Mind you, there are some who do drive. or should I say use manuals rather than drive them as intended, where I really think they should seriously consider downgrading to an auto lol. I especially like the ones who insist on putting a fart can on their Civic, so you can hear very clearly the absolute hash they're making out of changing gear.
jmma,
Feb 10, 11:16pm
Is there such a thing?
2sheddies,
Feb 10, 11:37pm
No, but there probably should be!
monaro17,
Feb 10, 11:55pm
If you get your learners or restricted licences in an auto you are only allowed to drive an auto- I was astounded to see that once you get your full licence you are deemed competent to drive an auto or manual! It doesn’t matter how ‘good of a driver’ you are in an auto if you have never driven a manual and been assessed competent you would be a menace on the road
However, the same could be said for towing.
marte,
Feb 11, 4:57am
My licensed driving instructor used manual cars to teach in. This makes sense because they are teaching you how to drive a car, not just some cars. It also teaches you how to do hill starts & most importantly, engine braking.
++ Is that it's damn difficult to drive a manual & text/use a cellphone at the same time. Or that might be a bad thing, depends on how you look at it. In that case, definately get a auto.
I remember when I was first asked " Can you drive a stick shift?" "Column or floor?" "What's a column?"
cjohnw,
Feb 11, 6:43am
My bad! Should have said Defence Force.
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