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Driving is a valuable skill. It can lead to independence and freedom. You might want to learn how to drive, whether you commute to work, pick up your kids from school, or simply because you want to make getting from A to B more easy. You can count on our friendly, professional driving instructors 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.
Both manual and automatic are the types of transmissions or gears found in a car. In a manual vehicle, you are required to change the gears yourself at the correct time. As the name suggests an automatic car automatically changes the gears at the appropriate time.
- What Is The Difference Between Manual And Automatic Cars?
- Which Is Most Popular Automatic Or Manual Cars?
- What Are The Advantages Of Taking Driving Lessons In An Automatic Car?
- Is There A Downside To Driving An Automatic Car?
- DVSA Registered Driving Instructors
- Your First Driving Lesson In Horsforth
- 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’ve had driving lessons in a manual vehicle before but found it difficult to handle the gears. Drivers may choose to drive an automatic because they can’t change gears easily due to a disability. These are just a few of the many reasons why you may find learning how to drive and passing your driving test much easier in an automatic.
If you are driving an automatic transmission car, it will automatically change the gears for you. If you drive a car with a manual transmission, then you will need to change the gears as you speed up and slow down.
There are three pedals in manual cars, the clutch, brake, and the accelerator. You also have a gear stick which is used to change gears. The clutch is operated using your left foot while the other two are controlled with your right foot. Simply press the clutch down to change gear. When the clutch is down, you can move the stick to select the proper gear for your speed. A clutch pedal is standard on most manual cars, but some cars use a trigger or a button to replace it.
An automatic car does without a clutch because the gears are changed automatically. The car will automatically change gears as the speed increases and when the car slows down, it will automatically shift to a lower gear. The co-ordination between the clutch, accelerator and gear lever is not required when driving an automatic car. Because of this an automatic car is much more easy to learn than a manual car. A footrest is usually used in place of the clutch. Automatic cars don’t have a clutch, so it is much harder to stall them. It is also impossible to put an automatic car in the wrong gear or grind the gears.
Manuals also have a different gear stick from Automatics. Manual cars have five, possibly 6, forward gears and one reverse gear. An Automatic has four main operations. Although there are variations, the four main operations for the gear stick are (P) park (D) drive (N) neutral (R) reverse. With the possible exception of neutral (which is used in heavy traffic or at traffic lights), most operations are quite obvious.
Another difference is that a manual car will not move on the flat unless you use the accelerator. An automatic, however, can be set into reverse or drive and the car will move by itself. The car will move even though it is not going very fast, until you use the accelerator. This is something to keep in mind if you want to switch from a manual to an automatic car.
Our Horsforth driving instructors are waiting for your call and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your first automatic driving lesson
Which Is Most Popular Automatic Or Manual Cars?
Manual cars are the most popular in the UK, but the number of automatics being manufactured is increasing. Automatics are generally more expensive to purchase as well as to run and maintain. They tend to consume more fuel than manual cars. Additionally, they are more expensive to maintain and to insure because they are more complex to make.
What Are The Advantages Of Taking Driving Lessons In An Automatic Car?
It is not necessarily easier to learn how to drive an automatic car, it all depends on what you are dealing with. It won’t make much of a difference to you if you have a common issue like observation.
If you are having difficulty with clutch control or gear changes, learning to drive an automatic will be a lot easier. There is much less to consider when learning to drive in a city with lots of congestion. Because of the nature of urban driving, you will have to change gears often. Even if you’re an experienced driver, this can be quite frustrating.
The automatic car allows you to take your driving exam without worrying about stalling or having to use clutch control. Because there are no gears so you do not need a clutch in an automatic car, it is much easier to perform manoeuvres like a turn in traffic or a hill start.
If you have trouble managing the gears in a manual vehicle, you might find that learning to drive an automatic car is easier. This could mean you take fewer lessons to pass your test and receive your driving license.
Is There A Downside To Driving An Automatic Car?
As we have already mentioned, automatic cars are generally more expensive to buy, run and maintain. This is why automatic driving lessons are more expensive than manual driving lessons.
You should also remember that learning to drive and passing your test in an automatic does not allow you to drive a manual vehicle. However, if you pass your test in a manual car, you will be able to drive both.
This means that if you are taking your driving test in an automatic car, it may limit your options when renting or buying 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.
In general, automatic cars have lower pass rates than manual cars. Don’t let this discourage you though, as thousands of learners pass the driving test in automatic vehicles every year.
Our Horsforth driving instructors are waiting for your call and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your first automatic driving lesson
DVSA Registered Driving Instructors
Our Driving Instructors are approved by and registered with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and provide high-quality driving lessons in Horsforth to drivers of all ages, abilities and levels. 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.
No matter your reasons for learning to drive are, our driving instructors can help you to pass your driving test quickly and inexpensively. You will receive a variety of lessons and driving courses that will help you get your driving license in no time.
Our driving instructors are qualified and experienced. They will teach you the most safe and efficient driving techniques. Their goal is for you to be a confident and capable driver.
Your First Driving Lesson In Horsforth
Your first lesson will include an introduction chat with your instructor to get to know you and your driving history. 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 that your provisional license is valid, check your eyesight and go over the basics of the car that you will be learning in.
No one knows Horsforth more than a local driving instructor. Your driving lesson will be held in quiet surroundings away from any traffic so that you can slowly improve your confidence with driving. First, you will learn how to use the pedals, steering, clutch control, moving away and stopping. As you gain driving proficiency, you’ll be faced with new challenges.
Your instructor will plan each lesson carefully so that you have the opportunity to drive through many junctions, roundabouts, pedestrian crossings in an easy-to-remember setting.
Bad habits are difficult to break, so it’s important that you learn how to drive safely as soon as you start learning to drive. Driving instructors have been specially trained to help you pass your driving test and be safe on the roads. They have extensive experience and knowledge of driving that they will use to help make you a confident and safer driver.
Your driving instructor will give you a record of your driving progress. Your progress record will contain all of the topics you need to know in order to safely drive for your whole life. These include techniques like parallel parking, turning in traffic (3-point turn), reversing around corners and an emergency stop. It will show you your current stage and how much you have still to learn.
Our Horsforth driving instructors are waiting for your call and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your first automatic driving 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. We recommend you choose the test centre that is closest to where your lessons have taken place. This will give you the advantage of being familiar with the area and roads when you take your driving test.
Our Horsforth driving instructors are waiting for your call and are ready to answer any questions you may have about your first automatic driving 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.