Whether you’ve just turned 17 and are excited to get behind the wheel, or you’re a bit older and have decided now is the time to learn to drive, one decision you will need to make before you book your driving course in Lincoln or wherever you live, is the type of car you want to learn in.
The debate over whether it’s better to learn in an automatic or manual transmission vehicle has been raging for years.
But when you’ve never driven before it can be hard to know which is the best option for you. So, let’s first look at the differences between the two types of vehicles and then explore what other factors you should take into consideration.
Manual transmission cars: what do you need to know?
A car with a manual transmission means that you need to manually select the gear in which you drive. Many British vehicles are still manual, which means you’ll change gears as you drive depending on the speed and traffic conditions.
When you’re learning to drive, a manual car can add an extra layer of complexity. You’ll need to master controlling the clutch – the pedal you have to press down and release gently as you shift gears.
This means you’ll have three pedals to manage: the brake, the accelerator and the clutch.
One of the rites of passage for many learner drivers in the UK is stalling your car while trying to pull away – often it happens at a very inconvenient point like a junction – but this is an experience pretty much every manual car driver has had!
You’ll also need to become comfortable with shifting gears with one hand while steering with the other when you’re driving a vehicle with a manual transmission.
One of the main arguments for choosing to learn in a manual car is that you’ll also be licensed to drive an automatic vehicle once you pass your test.
Automatic cars: what do you need to know?
The main difference between automatic cars and their manual counterparts is that automatic cars do the gear changing for you (hence their name). They still have a gear stick, but you only need to put the vehicle into “drive” and the engine will change gears as you drive.
The other settings on the gear stick are “reverse”, “park” and “neutral”.
This means as a learner driver that you’ll have one less element to think about when you’re learning, which can be handy as you’ll likely feel overwhelmed by all the steps you have to remember when you’re on the roads, especially at the beginning.
However, because you won’t learn clutch control or manual gear changes when you learn in an automatic car, your licence will restrict you to driving this kind of vehicle.
Given that all electric cars are automatic, not to mention that the technology for automatic transmissions has improved substantially in recent years, this may not matter so much as time passes though.
What about the cost of learning to drive?
At the start of 2026, it is still cheaper to learn to drive in a manual vehicle than it is in an automatic, largely because automatic cars tend to cost more to buy and are therefore more expensive to insure.
What’s more, once you pass your test you will likely find that insurance for an automatic vehicle is higher than for an equivalent manual model. This is because they are usually more expensive and repairs on them can be more costly due to the technology they contain.
In addition to affecting the insurance price, repair costs on such vehicles are also worth considering because if you own one, you’ll potentially need to factor those in.
Do you have any additional needs?
One of the main advantages of automatic vehicles is that they are more accessible than their manual counterparts. That means if you have any kind of disability you may find it much easier to drive an automatic.
For instance, those with dyspraxia, autism and ADHD can all find learning to drive and subsequently driving an automatic vehicle is easier and therefore safer.
Meanwhile, people with physical disabilities, like amputees, may need an automatic car as these only have two pedals, allowing them to be driven with one foot. Manual cars require you to use both feet when changing gear (one for the clutch and the other for the accelerator or brake).
Ultimately which type of car it’s best for you to learn in will be a personal choice. If you’re not sure, ask your local driving school if they have any advice before you get started.