It's getting less and less limiting as time goes on.
Have you done your research into this? We chose to go the auto route only with my daughter as we have an automatic car at home. We found it difficult to get an instructor with an automatic car. We wanted to go that route as the home car is a large family car. Based on my (limited of course) experience there may be more of a market for an automatic instructor car.The OP asked was is it a waste of time learning to drive in a manual transmission car.
I say no, but I do believe it is a limiting choice. It may well be the case that a person will never need, nor want, to drive a manual. If that's the case then the OPs question should be answered with a maybe, imho.
(Having retired from a PS role after over 30 years late last year I am intending to get certified as an approved driving instructor and start offering lessons as a sole trader in Q1 next year. For that purpose I will be purchasing a car with manual transmission and fitting dual controls. If someone wants instruction in an auto it is my belief that they will already own, or have access to such a vehicle. If they choose to engage my services it will have to be on the basis that instruction is carried out in their vehicle. I believe buying an auto and setting up as an auto only instructor would be too limiting - from a business pov - at this point in time.)
Choosing a car to drive isn't like selecting a pair of socks, you don't change every dayI don't disagree with this point.
But it doesn't change the fact though that at this point in time - at all points in time actually - if one chooses to qualify only for an auto drivers licence one limits oneself to only a selection of available vehicles to drive.
That's why my answer to the question as to whether it's a waste of time to learn in a manual was "maybe".
It will be down to individual choice at the end of the day, based on what each individual projects will be their needs or wants from driving in the future.
Yes, there is more to master when learning in a manual. It will not suit the wants, or indeed needs, of many. But if a manual car is chosen by the OP his kids won't have limited choices at the end of the process.
Good luck to them in their future driving lives, and to the OP with the decision making.
The magic lamp might be better than the candles.Auto is a no brainer imo. Driving on a manual is akin to using candles for lighting when you can just flick a switch!
God forbid, a young person might actually have an interest in motoring and would like to learn how to drive a manual.Auto is a no brainer imo. Driving on a manual is akin to using candles for lighting when you can just flick a switch!
If you don't want to read other people's opinions, perhaps the internet isn't for youThis thread seems to be populated with posters making decisions on behalf of their, otherwise, adult children.
Most people who want to read other people's opinions don't tend to make comments about those others choosing to express their opinion.Why do you presume that they don't want to read other people's opinions?
If your child is competent at learning new skills I would opt for manual. If your child has aspirations to travel abroad, they won't necessarily be driving nice new cars as you see in D4.
There are lots of places in the world where the stock of cars is old !
Same here. My OH is dyspraxic (poor processing and executive function) and wouldn’t be driving at all if not for an automatic.Some people have learning difficulties we are not fully sure that our youngest will drive at all so automatic may provide an option for some who otherwise would not have this opportunity. Challenges with concentration and with sequential processing make us wonder if it will be too much to learn to drive for our kid. Add in other more complex neurodiverse diagnosis I know its off topic but still nice to see somebody take cognisance that not all young folks have this available to them.
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