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Driving is a valuable skill. It can lead to independence and freedom. You may be looking to learn to drive because you have to commute to work or pick up your children from school. Or you just want to make it easier to get from A-B. Our professional and friendly driving instructors are here to help you.
We welcome all levels of learners, from students just 17 who want to start lessons, to those who need our other driving lesson packages.
Manual and automatic refer to the type transmission, or gears that your car has. Manual cars require that you change the gears at the right time. Automatic cars change the gears when needed for you.
- What Is The Difference Between Manual And Automatic Cars?
- Which Is Most Popular Automatic Or Manual Cars?
- What Are The Benefits Of Learning To Drive An Automatic?
- Are There Downsides to Driving an Automatic Car?
- DVSA Approved Driving Instructors
- Your First Highfield Driving Lesson
- How to Choose A Driving Test Centre
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What Is The Difference Between Manual And Automatic Cars?
It can be difficult to learn how to drive a manual vehicle, especially if you live in a busy area where daily driving involves lots of changing gears and clutch control. Perhaps you have previously taken driving lessons in a manual car and found the handling of the gears difficult. A driver may also choose an automatic car because they are unable to change gears as easily due to a disability. If this is you, you’re not alone. Many people find learning to drive and passing the driving test in an automatic much easier.
An automatic transmission car changes the gears automatically for you as your speed increases or decreases. If your car has a manual transmission, you will have to change the gears by yourself.
The clutch, brake and accelerator are the three pedals used in manual cars. They also come with a gear stick, used in conjunction with the clutch to change gears. The clutch is operated using your left foot while the other two are controlled with your right foot. To change gear, you push the clutch down. The clutch must be down in order to move the gearstick and select the right gear for you. The majority of manual cars will have a clutch pedal, however, some cars can replace the pedal with a trigger or a button on the gearstick.
An automatic car doesn’t need a clutch as the gears are automatically changed. As the vehicle speeds up, the gears will automatically change higher and as it slows down the gears will change to a lower gear. In an automatic car it is not necessary to be proficient in coordinating the accelerator, clutch, and gear lever. Because of this an automatic car is much more easy to learn than a manual car. Instead of a clutch pedal, there’s usually a footrest. Automatic cars do not have a clutch so they are very difficult to stall. Also, you can not put the car in the wrong gear or grind the gears.
Manuals also have a different gear stick from Automatics. A manual has one reverse gear and five, possibly 6, forward gears. The four main operations of an Automatic’s gear stick are (P), park, (D) drive, (N) neutral, and (R) reverse. There are many variations but these are the main four operations. These operations are easy to understand, except for neutral, which is used when you’re stopped at traffic lights, or in heavy traffic.
Another difference is the fact that you must use the accelerator to get a manual vehicle to move on the flat. But if you put an automatic into drive or reverse, the car will creep along all by itself. It will move, but it won’t go very fast unless you push the accelerator. This is important to remember if you’re used to driving a manual car and plan to switch to an automatic
If you have further questions about our automatic driving lessons in Highfield contact us today to book your first lesson
Which Is Most Popular Automatic Or Manual Cars?
Manual cars are more popular than automatics in the UK, but the number of new automatics being built is increasing. Automatics can be more expensive to buy, run and maintain. On average they use more fuel than manual cars, and they are more expensive to repair and insure.
What Are The Benefits Of Learning To Drive An Automatic?
The process of learning how to drive an automatic car isn’t always easier, it all depends upon what difficulties you are experiencing. Learning in an automatic car won’t help you if your problem is observation
It is possible to learn to drive an automatic car if gear changes or clutch control are difficult for you. Driving in urban areas with lots congestion it is easier. Driving in traffic-heavy areas will require you to change gears frequently because of the constant stop-start nature. This can be difficult for both experienced drivers and learner drivers.
An automatic car makes it easier when doing your driving test as you do not have the risk of stalling the car and any struggles you have with clutch control.
You might have difficulty managing the gears of a manual car. If this is the case, it might be easier to learn to drive in an automatic car.
Are There Downsides to Driving an Automatic Car?
As we have already mentioned, automatic cars are generally more expensive to buy, run and maintain. Automatic driving lessons can often be more expensive that manual driving lessons because of this.
A downside to learning to drive an automatic car is that your license does not qualify you to drive a manual car. However, if you pass your test in a manual car, you will be able to drive both.
You may find that passing your test in an automatic car could limit your options for buying or renting a car in the future. Also, if later you decide you would prefer to drive manual cars, then you’ll need to take another driving test.
Automatic cars have a lower pass rate than manual cars. This shouldn’t discourage you, however, as many learners pass their driving test with automatic cars each year.
If you have further questions about our automatic driving lessons in Highfield contact us today to book your first lesson
DVSA Approved Driving Instructors
Our Driving Instructors offer high-quality driving lessons in Highfield for drivers of all ages abilities and levels. They have years of experience and are approved and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA). It doesn’t matter if its your your first driving lesson or if you have been driving for a while and just want to refresh your skills, you will feel calm and confident as you learn to drive.
Our driving instructors are available to help you pass the driving test as fast and cheaply as possible, no matter what your reason is for learning to drive. The instructors will offer a variety of driving lessons and courses, each designed to get you your driving licence as quickly as possible.
Our driving instructors are qualified and experienced. They will teach you the most safe and efficient driving techniques. Their goal is to help you become confident and competent driver.
Your First Highfield Driving Lesson
Your instructor will have an introductory conversation to discuss your driving skills and experience. No need to worry if you’ve never taken driving lessons before as the majority of our customers do not have any prior driving experience. They will then check your provisional driver’s license, perform an eye-check, and then discuss the basics of the car you will be learning in.
No one knows Highfield more than a local driving instructor. Your driving lesson will begin on the back roads of Highfield, in a quiet area, away from other road users. This will allow you to increase your confidence and improve your driving skills in a quiet setting. You will start with the basic pedals, steering, clutch control and moving off and stopping. You will face new challenges as your driving skills improve.
Your driving instructor will carefully plan every lesson of you so that you will drive through various junctions, roundabouts, and pedestrian crossings in a familiar setting.
It is crucial that you learn to drive safely right from the start as bad habits can be difficult to break. Our driving instructors are trained to help you be safe on the roads and pass your driving test. Their vast experience and knowledge in driving will help you to become a safe, confident driver.
Your driving instructor will provide a written log of your driving progress. It will list all of the topics you need to know to be a safe driver for your entire life. These include techniques such as parallel parking, turning in the road (3-point turn), reversing around a corner, and an emergency stop. It will show you your current stage and how much you have still to learn.
If you have further questions about our automatic driving lessons in Highfield contact us today to book your first lesson
How to Choose A Driving Test Centre
It is entirely up to you which test centre you choose. However, the choice of the test centre can directly impact how you perform on the day, and whether you pass. It is best to choose the nearest test centre to where you have had your lessons. This will give you the advantage of being familiar with the area and roads when you take your driving test.
If you have further questions about our automatic driving lessons in Highfield contact us today to book your first lesson
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Are automatic lessons more expensive?
Automatic driving lessons are more expensive as the costs of insuring automatic cars is around 43% higher than manual cars of the same class – this is because automatic cars generally cost more to repair.
Should you put automatic in neutral when stopped?
Never put your vehicle in neutral at traffic lights You will be shifting gears every time to meet a stop light, subjecting them to unnecessary wear. You may have to replace them sooner than you thought. Avoid all this by letting the brakes do their job: leave the engine in drive and step on the brakes at the stoplight
How long does it take to pass automatic?
However, there's less to get to grips with when you take automatic driving lessons. This means many learners are able to pass after just 20 hours of lessons, as long as they also get some private practice.
Is it worth getting an automatic license?
Learning to drive in an automatic might help you take fewer driving lessons in order to reach test standard. What's more, if you've been really struggling with a manual then going for an automatic could mean the difference between you getting your licence and not getting your licence.
Other areas near Highfield we cover include: