Driving a manual car on auto only licence
Discussion
This should probably be in SP&L, but as a new member I can't post there yet.
I was just wondering what the law was regarding an auto licence holder driving a manual car on the motorway, if accompanied by a manual licence holder and displaying L plates? I know that provisional licence holders can't use motorways, but in this scenario the driver would already have a full licence (albeit an auto only one). Is it legal?
I was just wondering what the law was regarding an auto licence holder driving a manual car on the motorway, if accompanied by a manual licence holder and displaying L plates? I know that provisional licence holders can't use motorways, but in this scenario the driver would already have a full licence (albeit an auto only one). Is it legal?
The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
Spurious 'this', but exactly why I encouraged the missus to keep going with her manual licence. Passed second time anyway... but she still prefers to drive an auto.The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
Now, I'd tend to agree - unless you're disabled (which from his previous thread, the OP is mildly) there seems little point. In ten years' time, I suspect there will be so few manuals that it'll make little difference.
I agree that it likely wouldn't be legal - an auto-only driver in a manual car is a learner, which is not normally permitted on the motorway, and there's no valid reason to take them there!
I know a couple of people with auto-only licences because so much of their mental capacity is taken up by dealing with two pedals and a 'wheel that adding complexity would be deeply unwise..
I know a couple of people with auto-only licences because so much of their mental capacity is taken up by dealing with two pedals and a 'wheel that adding complexity would be deeply unwise..
McSam said:
I agree that it likely wouldn't be legal - an auto-only driver in a manual car is a learner, which is not normally permitted on the motorway, and there's no valid reason to take them there!
I know a couple of people with auto-only licences because so much of their mental capacity is taken up by dealing with two pedals and a 'wheel that adding complexity would be deeply unwise..
One questions whether they should be on the road anyway...I know a couple of people with auto-only licences because so much of their mental capacity is taken up by dealing with two pedals and a 'wheel that adding complexity would be deeply unwise..
The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
I do agree, I just envisaged it as a hypothetical situation. Although I know a few people who really struggled with learning to drive a manual, and they weren't particularly safe on the road - in an auto, they're fine, though. I, however, will be pressing on with obtaining my manual licence (currently learning).
The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
A few people I know (Okay, 2) took auto lessons and tests because they were desperate to get their licence and just couldn't hack the coordination required for 3-pedals quick enough. I'm not in touch with either of them any longer, but at school when we were all learning/passing they were definitely in the minority. I don't suppose it's too limiting unless you need to hire a car or drive someone else's?A young employee of mine is taking automatic lessons at the moment. A few years ago I wouldn't have understood this as it would have severely restricted her future car choices, but nowadays with the onset of electric and hybrid vehicles, not to mention the availability of decent two-pedal cars in all shapes and sizes, I don't think it'll be much of a problem anymore for your average driver.
In, say, 1995, an automatic VW Golf would likely have been fairly rubbish (not driven one, just speculating!), whereas today a DSG-equipped Golf is faster and more efficient than its manual equivalent. You can even get things like Fiestas with decent dual-clutch transmissions now.
Once I move my MINI on in a year or two, I doubt I'll own another manual car ever again.
In, say, 1995, an automatic VW Golf would likely have been fairly rubbish (not driven one, just speculating!), whereas today a DSG-equipped Golf is faster and more efficient than its manual equivalent. You can even get things like Fiestas with decent dual-clutch transmissions now.
Once I move my MINI on in a year or two, I doubt I'll own another manual car ever again.
The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
Although, it is worth pondering why a new learner would waste time, money and effort learning to drive a type of mechanism that is very fast becoming obsolete. I suspect the future picture for the average learner today is very different from when we took our tests and autos were for pissed old men and women.
The Moose said:
I must say I don't understand why anyone (other than, say, one legged people) would take an auto test. Why limit the future possibilities?!
My wife drove over a small tree while her dad was teaching her to drive (in a manual Landcruiser). She eventually passed her auto test in an outback town with no traffic lights.....or roundabouts, and didn't have to reverse park because the copper doing the test had seen her practicing (only place in town with a car parked outside all day to practice on was the cop shop).There is no way she could ever drive a manual, ever.
David87 said:
...In, say, 1995, an automatic VW Golf would likely have been fairly rubbish (not driven one, just speculating!), whereas today a DSG-equipped Golf is faster and more efficient than its manual equivalent. You can even get things like Fiestas with decent dual-clutch transmissions now...
This^^.DonkeyApple said:
Although, it is worth pondering why a new learner would waste time, money and effort learning to drive a type of mechanism that is very fast becoming obsolete.
I suspect the future picture for the average learner today is very different from when we took our tests and autos were for pissed old men and women.
And this^^.I suspect the future picture for the average learner today is very different from when we took our tests and autos were for pissed old men and women.
It's been 7 years since I last owned a manual and probably 2 years since I last drove one.
OK, my preferred type of cars (barges) mainly come as automatics but even the pool cars at work are mainly auto, so that a randomly selected example will more likely have two pedals.
In fact, the only time that I drive a manual these days is if I cheap out on a hire car. Even then, 2 out of the last 4 have been auto without me asking or paying any extra for the privilege.
Manuals are fast becoming irrelevant.
Edited by DJP on Friday 22 August 11:06
DJP said:
David87 said:
...In, say, 1995, an automatic VW Golf would likely have been fairly rubbish (not driven one, just speculating!), whereas today a DSG-equipped Golf is faster and more efficient than its manual equivalent. You can even get things like Fiestas with decent dual-clutch transmissions now...
This^^.DonkeyApple said:
Although, it is worth pondering why a new learner would waste time, money and effort learning to drive a type of mechanism that is very fast becoming obsolete.
I suspect the future picture for the average learner today is very different from when we took our tests and autos were for pissed old men and women.
And this^^.I suspect the future picture for the average learner today is very different from when we took our tests and autos were for pissed old men and women.
It's been 7 years since I last owned a manual and probably 2 years since I last drove one.
OK, my preferred type of cars (barges) mainly come as automatics but even the pool cars at work are mainly auto, so that a randomly selected example will more likely have two pedals.
In fact, the only time that I drive a manual these days is if I cheap out on a hire car. Even then, 2 out of the last 4 have been auto without me asking or paying any extra for the privilege.
Manuals are fast becoming irrelevant.
Edited by DJP on Friday 22 August 11:06
I can see an argument that unless you are a can fan and want the specific pleasure of driving a manual then the average driver, going forward, is likely to only ever drive or come across an auto.
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