Manual or Automatic?
One decision, made before your first lesson. Here's what actually changes — and what doesn't.
The bit most people miss
Pass in a manual and you can drive both. Pass in an automatic and you can only drive automatics. Everything else on this page is preference — this one is a rule.
Side by side
| Manual | Automatic | |
|---|---|---|
| What you can drive after passing | Manual and automatic cars | Automatic cars only |
| Gears and clutch | Yes — clutch, gearstick, biting point | No clutch, no gearstick |
| Typical hours to test standard | Around the DVSA's 45-hour average | Often fewer — there's less to master |
| Hourly rate at DriveCraft | £40/hr | £40/hr — the same |
| Upgrading later | Nothing to upgrade | Take a manual test whenever you like |
| Hill starts and stalling | A real skill to build | Essentially a non-issue |
Choose manual if…
- You want one licence that covers every car you'll ever borrow, hire or be handed at work
- A job you're aiming at involves driving a van, a works vehicle or anything commercial
- You'll be buying a cheap first car — the used manual market is bigger and often cheaper
- You want the option and don't mind spending a few more hours getting there
Choose automatic if…
- You want to pass as soon as sensibly possible and only ever drive automatics
- Clutch control is the part that worries you, or a previous attempt stalled there
- You have a condition affecting your left leg, coordination or reaction time
- The car already in your household is automatic
- You drive mostly in stop-start town traffic, where an automatic is simply easier
Still torn? Choosing automatic because manual feels intimidating is a perfectly good reason — plenty of confident drivers never touch a clutch. But if the only thing stopping you is nerves about stalling, say so at your first lesson. Instructors spend a lot of their time on exactly that, and it passes faster than you'd think.
Common questions
What's the difference between a manual and automatic licence?
Pass in a manual and you can drive both manual and automatic cars. Pass in an automatic and your licence covers automatics only. That's the single most important difference — everything else is preference.
Is it easier to learn in an automatic?
For most people, yes. There's no clutch, no gear changes and no stalling, so more of each lesson goes on road position, observation and hazard awareness. Many automatic learners reach test standard in fewer hours than the DVSA's 45-hour average.
Can I switch to manual after passing in an automatic?
Yes, any time. You'd take manual lessons and sit the practical test again in a manual car. You keep driving on your automatic licence in the meantime, so there's no gap where you can't drive.
Are automatic driving lessons more expensive?
Not at DriveCraft — manual and automatic are both £40 an hour. Since automatic learners often need fewer hours, the total cost can work out lower.
Which should I choose if I'm not sure?
If nothing is pushing you towards automatic, manual keeps every option open — you can always drive an automatic on a manual licence, but not the other way round. If you're anxious about the clutch, or you only ever plan to drive automatics, choose automatic and don't look back.
Is the driving test different?
No. Same route, same examiner, same marking, same faults. The only difference is the car you take it in.
We teach both — same price either way
Tell your instructor which you'd prefer when you enquire. If you change your mind after a lesson or two, that's fine.
Not sure how long it'll take? How many lessons you actually need