Manual or automatic: which should you learn in?

One of the first choices you make is whether to learn in a manual or an automatic car. Both get you a full driving licence, but they lead to different licences, and they suit different people.

#The difference

A manual car has a clutch pedal and a gear stick. You change gear yourself as you speed up and slow down.

An automatic car changes gear for you. There's no clutch pedal: just an accelerator and a brake. Electric cars and most hybrids drive like automatics.

#What each licence lets you drive

If you pass in an automatic and later want to drive a manual, you'll need to pass another practical test in a manual car.

#Learning in a manual

• More flexible licence. You can drive almost any car, which helps if you'll borrow or hire cars, or drive abroad.
• More to learn. Clutch control, hill starts and choosing the right gear take practice, so most learners need more lessons.
• Cheaper cars to buy and insure, in many cases, though that gap is narrowing.

#Learning in an automatic

• Easier to pick up. With no clutch or gears, you can concentrate on the road, other traffic and your observations. Many learners need fewer lessons.
• Good if you're nervous, or if you've found clutch control hard in the past.
• Ready for the future. Electric cars are automatic, and more new cars are automatic every year.
• Restricted licence. You can only drive automatics until you pass in a manual.

#How to decide

Ask yourself:

1. What car will you drive after you pass? If it's an automatic, or likely to be electric, learn in an automatic.
2. Do you need a licence quickly? Automatic learners often get test-ready sooner.
3. Will you share or borrow cars? A manual licence keeps every option open.
4. How do you feel about the clutch? If you've tried and struggled, an automatic can make learning much more enjoyable.

There's no wrong answer. You choose when you set up your account, and you can change it later if you change your mind. Your price is shown in the app before you book.