EV's and learning to drive
Discussion
Have a bit of a quandary so would like you views.
My daughter is 18 and looking to learn to drive in the next 6 months. She commutes to University 3-4 times a week via train and will continue to do so for the next 3-4 years as driving would take longer and cost more so no actual need for a car yet, she just wants to get her license done and out of the way.
With the increasing availability of EV's I'm struggling to see the point in her learning to drive in a car with a manual gearbox in 2020. Apparently learning in an auto is far easier and quicker (therefore cheaper which makes sense) and my assumption is that by the time she's wants a car for herself an EV will be the natural choice (used Zoe, i3 etc.).
What do you think? Too restrictive having an auto only license or does it make more sense nowadays?
Cheers
My daughter is 18 and looking to learn to drive in the next 6 months. She commutes to University 3-4 times a week via train and will continue to do so for the next 3-4 years as driving would take longer and cost more so no actual need for a car yet, she just wants to get her license done and out of the way.
With the increasing availability of EV's I'm struggling to see the point in her learning to drive in a car with a manual gearbox in 2020. Apparently learning in an auto is far easier and quicker (therefore cheaper which makes sense) and my assumption is that by the time she's wants a car for herself an EV will be the natural choice (used Zoe, i3 etc.).
What do you think? Too restrictive having an auto only license or does it make more sense nowadays?
Cheers
It does make sense in many ways, and I wonder where we will be if / when my daughter learns to drive.
I believe an auto only license leads to more expensive insurance, regardless of car type driven. Autos also being more expensive to insure than manuals on top of that, so this may be a consideration to add into the maths.
I believe an auto only license leads to more expensive insurance, regardless of car type driven. Autos also being more expensive to insure than manuals on top of that, so this may be a consideration to add into the maths.
I suppose if she does want to just tick the box, and has never driven before, then an auto must be easier. I have two daughters and one of them really struggled with the concept of how the clutch worked - apparently girls generally just memorise the bite point, it's why they can't easily switch from car to car.
Some years on, I'd say they're both pretty capable drivers, but they now won't drive their mums car - because it's an auto.
Some years on, I'd say they're both pretty capable drivers, but they now won't drive their mums car - because it's an auto.
CubanPete said:
It does make sense in many ways, and I wonder where we will be if / when my daughter learns to drive.
I believe an auto only license leads to more expensive insurance, regardless of car type driven. Autos also being more expensive to insure than manuals on top of that, so this may be a consideration to add into the maths.
I didn't realise the cost of insurance can rise so significantly to be honest so thanks for that. I believe an auto only license leads to more expensive insurance, regardless of car type driven. Autos also being more expensive to insure than manuals on top of that, so this may be a consideration to add into the maths.
This artcle from Admiral back in 2016 suggest a 5% increase in premiums for auto's, which is fine, but a whopping 43% increase for auto only license drivers.
https://www.admiral.com/magazine/guides/car-insura...
Need to get onto comparethemarket and see if that still holds true.
aka_kerrly said:
Everyone I've ever met who has an auto only licence is woeful at driving
20% higher claims frequency than people with a full license apparently so would seem to be a fair comment. Surprises me as you'd think they would have had more time devoted to observation and car control rather than synching up their left foot/hand..Edited by SWoll on Thursday 17th October 13:08
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 17th October 13:09
As said, its probably better to get her to pass in a manual so all future circumstances are covered.
IMO the rise in auto only accidents is due to the fact if someone is not mentally capable of using a clutch and gear stick while driving they will struggle with other aspects of driving which are much more complex
IMO the rise in auto only accidents is due to the fact if someone is not mentally capable of using a clutch and gear stick while driving they will struggle with other aspects of driving which are much more complex
Wanted both my daughters to learn manual driving as an extra skill - auto only is quite restrictive I think - so we got a manual. The elder struggled with clutch a bit (she is less mechanically minded than her sister) but did ok. The younger is I think likely to be fine when she starts next summer
We must be past that tipping point by now of more new autos being sold than manuals, it's been going up sharply in the last 5 years. I see a couple of Nissan Leaf instructor cars about locally too.
But for a licence, I'd still push for manual if possible. If you have a manual car that they can get some clutch control practice in away from the public road then it shouldn't add much to lessons and it takes away so much of the hassle if you ever need to drive for work or hire cars.
But for a licence, I'd still push for manual if possible. If you have a manual car that they can get some clutch control practice in away from the public road then it shouldn't add much to lessons and it takes away so much of the hassle if you ever need to drive for work or hire cars.
SWoll said:
20% higher claims frequency than people with a full license apparently so would seem to be a fair comment. Surprises me as you'd think they would have had more time devoted to observation and car control rather than synching up their left foot/hand..
I guess you're selecting for a population that, on average, is less confident behind the wheel and less coordinated than someone who is able to pass in a manual to drive a manual.Edited by SWoll on Thursday 17th October 13:08
Edited by SWoll on Thursday 17th October 13:09
I know one person who ended up with an auto license after many failed attempts in a manual. I wouldn't be happy driving with them.
I once witnessed them overtake a line of cars stopped at a red light (at the end of the road I lived on at the time) and go straight through the red light and out across a busy junction
I've never been charged more for having an auto only licence. Never even heard of this.
You can easily upgrade an auto only licence to a full licence later. I took my test in an auto just to get my licence quickly and because I mostly worked in the USA and Korea at the time (where you won't find a manual car).
I'd say if she wants it quickly do it in an auto and if she ever needs a manual just add it on via the mini manual test.
The UK now buys more autos than manuals and it is definitely dying out. EVs and Hybrids will kill in it in the next 5 years.
You can easily upgrade an auto only licence to a full licence later. I took my test in an auto just to get my licence quickly and because I mostly worked in the USA and Korea at the time (where you won't find a manual car).
I'd say if she wants it quickly do it in an auto and if she ever needs a manual just add it on via the mini manual test.
The UK now buys more autos than manuals and it is definitely dying out. EVs and Hybrids will kill in it in the next 5 years.
jjwilde said:
I've never been charged more for having an auto only licence. Never even heard of this.
You can easily upgrade an auto only licence to a full licence later. I took my test in an auto just to get my licence quickly and because I mostly worked in the USA and Korea at the time (where you won't find a manual car).
I'd say if she wants it quickly do it in an auto and if she ever needs a manual just add it on via the mini manual test.
The UK now buys more autos than manuals and it is definitely dying out. EVs and Hybrids will kill in it in the next 5 years.
You think? You can easily upgrade an auto only licence to a full licence later. I took my test in an auto just to get my licence quickly and because I mostly worked in the USA and Korea at the time (where you won't find a manual car).
I'd say if she wants it quickly do it in an auto and if she ever needs a manual just add it on via the mini manual test.
The UK now buys more autos than manuals and it is definitely dying out. EVs and Hybrids will kill in it in the next 5 years.
along with autonomous cars I guess......jjwilde said:
You can easily upgrade an auto only licence to a full licence later.
That's interesting, I figured it would be a complete re-test if you wanted an unrestricted licence. Interesting conundrum this OP. My daughter turned 13 today so we're exactly 4 years away from this dilemma, but it had occurred to me that whilst she's sure already that she wants a MINI, it may be that it isn't one with ICE by the time we get there.
I think this generation will find it a bit odd to go and fill the car with expensive fossil fuel when there are viable alternatives that they just have to plug in at home like they do their phones.
I'd still be inclined to push her towards a full test though. It just feels like one of those life skills not to be given up on just yet. After all, manual ICE cars won't just immediately die off.
I know a few people who have taken their test recently, with ages between 17-34, and all of them did the auto test. When I recently needed a loan car from a Volvo main dealer they only had autos as they reckoned they were the bulk of their business now. Maybe one of our resident car sales bods could confirm that ?
REALIST123 said:
You think? along with autonomous cars I guess......
Well seeing as we're heading for a possible ban on ICE in 2030 you think people will still be buying manuals in any great number in 2025? It's looking like 60% of new cars this year will be Autos. When would you consider the manual virtually dead? along with autonomous cars I guess......jjwilde said:
REALIST123 said:
You think? along with autonomous cars I guess......
Well seeing as we're heading for a possible ban on ICE in 2030 you think people will still be buying manuals in any great number in 2025? It's looking like 60% of new cars this year will be Autos. When would you consider the manual virtually dead? along with autonomous cars I guess......Filter it for brand new, it's 17,257 autos, 13,939 manuals.
Yes, auto's are gradually taking over, but to say manual's will be dead in 5 years...
Zetec-S said:
188,996 automatics listed on autotrader, vs 286,615 manuals.
Filter it for brand new, it's 17,257 autos, 13,939 manuals.
Yes, auto's are gradually taking over, but to say manual's will be dead in 5 years...
VW said they'd like to drop manuals as emissions compliance is easier in autos.Filter it for brand new, it's 17,257 autos, 13,939 manuals.
Yes, auto's are gradually taking over, but to say manual's will be dead in 5 years...
Sheepshanks said:
Zetec-S said:
188,996 automatics listed on autotrader, vs 286,615 manuals.
Filter it for brand new, it's 17,257 autos, 13,939 manuals.
Yes, auto's are gradually taking over, but to say manual's will be dead in 5 years...
VW said they'd like to drop manuals as emissions compliance is easier in autos.Filter it for brand new, it's 17,257 autos, 13,939 manuals.
Yes, auto's are gradually taking over, but to say manual's will be dead in 5 years...
Interesting stuff will still come with the option of a manual box for a good few years.
Zetec-S said:
That's fine, it fits well with the dull and efficient image they've been cultivating over the last few years
Interesting stuff will still come with the option of a manual box for a good few years.
Give over - what's 'interesting' amongst the kind of cars the average person buys?Interesting stuff will still come with the option of a manual box for a good few years.
When I take wife's (auto) Tiguan for service I always ask for an auto courtesy car - but only becuase the first time I didn't, they gave me an Up!. I don't mind little cars, but it was horrid. Last time I got a DSG Polo - it went well and drove nicely, no hesitation or lag etc.
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