gears Archives - My Car Credit

Is It Easy to Learn to Drive an Automatic Car?

Woman learning to drive an automatic car

According to the RAC, an average learner needs 45 hours of driving lessons and a minimum of 20 hours of private practice to pass a driving test. The more time spent on the road, the more familiar learner drivers will be with navigating potential hazards.

But if you’re looking to pass your driving test as swiftly as possible, it will be easier to learn to drive in an automatic vehicle.

Are automatic cars easier to learn to drive?

It’s easier to learn to drive in an automatic compared to a manual vehicle. You don’t have to manage either gears or clutch control, which makes it much easier to learn to drive an automatic vehicle as a result.

Other benefits to automatic cars include their relative fuel efficiency (compared to manual vehicles), and they’re also easier to drive in urban spaces where you’ll likely have many stop-start journeys.

However, driving lessons in an automatic may be more expensive – although you’ll likely need fewer than in a manual, as the learning process will be shorter. If you only learn on an automatic license, you also won’t ever be able to drive a manual car.

It may be more expensive to insure an automatic car, as they tend to be in a higher risk bracket, and repair parts are costly compared to their manual counterparts. Younger drivers may also find it easier to locate a manual car in their search for the ideal first car, both in terms of the price and variety on offer.

Further questions?

If you’re a learner driver deciding whether to acquire an automatic or manual license and have further questions, get in contact with My Car Credit today on 01246 458 810. We’ll help you establish your car finance eligibility and address any other queries you may have.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

Small Splendour: What’s the Best Luxury Hatchback?

Decadent Driving: 7 of the Most Luxurious Cars

Power Up: 5 Types of Hybrid Cars

Loan amount

Repayment term

My credit rating

X monthly repayments of
^£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Borrowing £7,500 at a representative APR of 10.9%, annual interest rate (fixed) 10.87%, 47 monthly payments of £191.50 followed by 1 payment of £201.50 (incl. estimated £10 option to purchase fee), a deposit of £0.00, total cost of credit is £1,702, total amount payable £9,202.

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

Got a question you can’t find the answer to, or need some advice and guidance around taking out car finance? Our Car Credit Specialists are friendly, experienced, and here to help so get in touch today!

or call 01246 458 810

Are Automatic Cars More Expensive?

If you’re looking to get a new vehicle, there are many factors that will impact your final decision. One of the biggest considerations is choosing whether to purchase an automatic or manual vehicle.

Automatic cars have many benefits, but they are more costly to purchase than manual vehicles. So, why exactly are automatic cars more expensive? Read on to learn more…

Automatic vs. manual

If you’re driving a manual car, you’re in charge of the vehicle’s gearbox and clutch. With automatic cars, there are generally only four ‘modes’ of travel, and two pedals – one for accelerating and one for braking. The car itself changes gear according to the speed at which you’re travelling.

There are advantages and disadvantages to an automatic, and whether it’s right for you will depend on your needs and preferences.

Automatic vehicles – the benefits

Better for traffic

If you’re in an urban area with traffic, your journeys will be stop-start. Constantly remaining on the clutch can be tiring and could cause leg ache.

Plus, automatics are safer. The automatic transmission means there’s little risk of stalling, and you don’t have to take your hands off the wheel in order to change gear. This makes navigating tricky junctions easier, allowing you to focus on the hazards of the road.

Fuel efficient

If you’re looking to purchase a newer automatic vehicle, these tend to be more fuel efficient than their manual counterparts.

Plus, the government’s 2030 petrol ban means that new petrol and diesel car sales are ending soon in favour of EVs, which don’t have gearboxes and therefore work like automatics. Manual cars are going to become increasingly phased out over time, to be replaced with EVs and second-hand automatics. Purchasing an automatic vehicle is ultimately a more future-proof decision than purchasing a manual.

Automatic vehicles – the drawbacks

License limitations

If you only have an automatic license, you can only drive automatic vehicles. To drive a manual, you’d need to take another driving test.

Less control

An automatic vehicle will change gears for you according to your speed. So, if you’re a driver who prefers to stay in control, you’ll find automatic vehicles frustrating.

More expensive

Automatic cars are more expensive to purchase – and are also often more expensive to insure.

Why are automatic cars more expensive?

Automatic gear boxes are more complex than manual counterparts, because they rely on automatic transmission. As a result, they’re more expensive to produce, and the overall pricing of the vehicle reflects this.

It also means that automatic cars are more expensive to repair, and may even require more costly breakdown cover as a result of mechanical particularities or towing limitations. This results in a higher insurance premium for automatic cars too.

Take the expense out of automatic cars

Find out how My Car Credit can help you fund your purchase of an automatic vehicle. Use our car finance calculator for a no-obligation quote and start your journey towards securing affordable car finance that suits your needs today.

Want to learn more? Get in touch with our team on 01246 458 810 or enquiries@mycarcredit.co.uk.

Rates from 9.9% APR. Representative APR 10.9%

Evolution Funding Ltd T/A My Car Credit

Small Splendour: What’s the Best Luxury Hatchback?

Decadent Driving: 7 of the Most Luxurious Cars

Power Up: 5 Types of Hybrid Cars

Loan amount

Repayment term

My credit rating

X monthly repayments of
^£X

Typical rate

Loan amount

Total payable

X% APR*

£X

*for illustration purposes only

No impact on your credit score*

Representative Example

Evolution Funding Limited, trading as My Car Credit, is a credit broker and not a lender.

Please ensure you can afford the repayments for the duration of the loan before entering into a credit agreement.

*Initial application is a soft search. Should you progress, some lenders may perform a hard search on your credit file.

Require more help?

or call 01246 458 810

automatic cars commuting expensive fuel efficient gears manual

Is It Easy to Learn to Drive an Automatic Car?

According to the RAC, an average learner needs 45 hours of driving lessons and a minimum of 20 hours of private practice to pass a driving test. The more time spent on the road, the more familiar learner drivers will be with navigating potential hazards.