What’s different about learning in a manual or automatic?
In a manual car, you use a clutch pedal and gear lever to change gears. In an automatic, the car handles gear changes.
With no clutch or manual gear changes to manage, an automatic may make it easier to focus on learning to drive. That can mean more attention for watching the road, spotting hazards and planning where to position the car.
You also avoid stalling through clutch mistakes, such as releasing the clutch too quickly when moving off at a junction. That can make the early lessons feel less frustrating.
With practice, clutch control and gear changes usually become more natural, so they take less of your attention than they do in your first lessons.
In Great Britain, the driving test follows the same format in a manual or automatic. You’re assessed on controlling the car you take the test in, including clutch control and gear changes where applicable. Our guide explains what happens on a driving test.
Will I pass faster in an automatic?
You might, but it isn’t guaranteed. An automatic gives you fewer controls to learn, but it won’t remove the need to practise judging gaps or spotting hazards.
What can you drive after passing in a manual or automatic?
| Your choice | Pass in a manual | Pass in an automatic |
|---|---|---|
| Cars you can drive independently | Manual and automatic cars. | Automatic cars only. |
| If you want to drive an automatic later | No further driving test needed. | Your licence already covers automatics. |
| If you want to drive a manual later | Your licence already covers manuals. | You must pass another practical test in a manual before driving one independently. |
What does code 78 mean? On a licence issued by DVLA, code 78 beside your car entitlement on the back means automatic cars only. Passing in a manual gives you permission to drive both manual and automatic cars.
The car you pass your test in determines which types you can drive. Taking manual lessons but passing your test in an automatic still gives you an automatic-only licence.
What about electric, hybrid and semi-automatic cars?
Passing in an electric car gives you an automatic-only licence. Semi-automatic cars also count as automatic for the test, even though you can select gears yourself.
Hybrids can be manual or automatic. Passing in an automatic hybrid gives you an automatic-only licence.
Can you learn manual after passing in an automatic?
Yes. You’ll need to learn clutch control and manual gear changes, budget for any extra lessons and the further practical test, and allow time to get ready and find a test slot.
In England, Scotland and Wales, you don’t need another provisional licence or theory test. Learner rules apply while you practise in a manual, even though you already have an automatic licence. GOV.UK explains how to upgrade an automatic licence to a manual licence.
In Northern Ireland, you normally won’t need another theory test, although exceptions apply to some exchanged licences. You must follow learner-driver rules while learning in a manual.
If a job you’re considering requires you to drive a manual vehicle, learning manual now could save you taking another test later.
Are manual or automatic driving lessons cheaper?
Neither option guarantees a cheaper total. Automatic lessons can cost more per hour, but prices vary locally. What you spend depends on the price of your lessons and how much tuition you need; there’s no minimum number of driving lessons you must take.
Compare the full price for the same lesson length. Here’s an example using illustrative prices, not market averages:
- A two-hour manual lesson at £40 an hour costs £80.
- A two-hour automatic lesson at £45 an hour costs £90.
That shows what you’d pay each time. It doesn’t tell you which will cost less by the time you pass, because you don’t yet know how many lessons you’ll need.
Ask local manual and automatic instructors about both prices and availability. A lower hourly rate won’t help you start if that instructor has no suitable spaces. Our cost of learning to drive guide covers the wider budget.
Which option fits your life?
How you want driving to feel
Some drivers enjoy choosing gears and the satisfaction of a smooth manual gear change. Others would rather the car handle it. Would changing gears be part of the enjoyment for you, or a task you’d prefer the car to do?
Think about an everyday journey as well as learning. In a queue that keeps moving and stopping, a manual means repeatedly using the clutch to move off and stop. An automatic removes that clutch work. Hill starts can also feel easier in an automatic because there’s no clutch biting point to find, although the car can still roll backwards.
The car you could use for private practice
If a family member or friend offers to help you practise between lessons, check whether their car is manual or automatic and when you could use it.
If you’ll take lessons in a manual but practise in an automatic, you won’t be practising clutch control or manual gear changes in that car.
Planning to practise between lessons? Our family and friends guide explains how to organise private practice.
For manual practice in Great Britain, your supervisor must hold a manual car licence, as well as meeting the other supervision requirements. Someone with an automatic-only licence can’t supervise you in a manual car.
Disability, suitable controls and learning support
An automatic may make driving possible or more comfortable for some disabled learners. There’s no clutch pedal to operate or manual gear changing, which may help if a disability affects movement in your legs or arms. Some drivers also need adapted controls; others can learn in a standard manual or automatic.
If you may need adaptations, speak to a specialist instructor or driving assessment service before booking lessons. They can help you work out which controls and type of car suit your needs.
If you need extra learning support, tell your instructor what helps — for example, breaking instructions into smaller steps. An automatic gives you fewer controls to manage, but you still need an instructor who explains things in a way you understand.
The car you’ll use after passing
The car you can afford after passing may influence whether you take manual or automatic lessons. If you expect to buy used and are weighing up both options, compare manual and automatic cars of similar age, mileage and condition within your budget.
If you have particular cars in mind, check insurance, fuel costs and vehicle tax too. The cheaper car to buy won’t necessarily be cheaper to run.
If you hope to borrow a car after passing, check whether it’s manual or automatic. You’ll need to pass a manual test to drive a manual car independently, so this could affect your choice of lessons.
What if you’re unsure or want to switch?
If you haven’t started yet, a trial lesson can help you see how you feel with the controls before paying for a large block. You can switch between manual and automatic lessons before passing, so your first choice doesn’t commit you to taking your test in that type of car.
If you’re already learning manual, stalling a few times doesn’t mean you’ve chosen the wrong type of car. Talk to your driving instructor about what’s improving and what you’re finding difficult. Ask whether more practice would help or whether it’s worth trying an automatic.
Your instructor’s feedback should give you something specific to work on, for example, “you’re moving off smoothly now, but need more practice on hills”.
If you try an automatic after taking manual lessons, talk with the instructor about what felt easier and what you still found difficult. That helps you judge whether changing cars addresses the problem.
If you switch, you’re not starting all your learning again. The road awareness and judgement you’ve developed still matter. You’ll need time to get used to the different car and controls.
Ask whether your instructor can offer the other type of car or whether you would need to change instructor. Before leaving your current lessons, check cancellation terms and confirm the price and availability of the new ones. If you’ve already booked a driving test, also confirm which car you’ll use and whether your instructor is available. Our guide to choosing a driving instructor can help with that choice.