Difference between Manual & Auto in a driving test.

[CXRAndy]

Thanks for the many & varied answers, folks.
The reason I'm asking for the official way in an automatic is because I don't know the correct way to pass a test in one.
Granddaughter is now (I don't believe it!!) 17 and is getting an automatic car; yes, she knows that she won't be able to drive a Manual on an Auto licence, thanks..
She hasn't got an instructor lined up, yet, and I don't want to misinform her..

My son's girlfriend took an automatic driving test. She learnt in a manual, but couldn't find a test within 6 months at the time so opted for auto test which was within a month. There was a good reason for her, he wouldn't let her move in with him unless she could drive and owned a car- hence her haste

It makes little difference these days manual or auto with EV being the majority transport in the next few years

 

[Drago]

Indeed. With EVs having "automatic" (actually direct drive - there's usually no gearbox of any kind, manual, automatic, or otherwise) transmissions and being the coming thing I guess the demand for manual tests will slowly subside.

 

[Dogtrousers]

I've never driven an automatic but this might be helpful

The following points of driving technique are common to all automatic systems:

• the parking brake should be applied for temporary stops, for example, waiting at a red traffic light, a junction, or in a traffic hold-up, if they are likely to be of a long duration

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/7-particular-types-of-vehicle-and-adaptations#:~:text=The following points of driving,be of a long duration

There's more blurb in there about automatics and the driving test.

 

[Richard A Thackeray]

In my auto if I'm going to be stopped more than a moment or two, I pop it into park. That way the person behind me gets a chance to momentarily crap themselves when the the lights change as I slide it back thru Reverse into Drive before pulling off.

A similar situation for me, when I've driven SWMBOs cars, as she favours automatics
Handbrake on, & into neutral (thus, missing the momentary reversing lights, when going from 'P' to 'D')

In mine, handbrake on, & into neutral (diesel/manual)

 

[PeteXXX]

I've never driven an automatic but this might be helpful

The following points of driving technique are common to all automatic systems:

• the parking brake should be applied for temporary stops, for example, waiting at a red traffic light, a junction, or in a traffic hold-up, if they are likely to be of a long duration

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/guidance-for-driving-examiners-carrying-out-driving-tests-dt1/7-particular-types-of-vehicle-and-adaptations#:~:text=The following points of driving,be of a long duration

There's more blurb in there about automatics and the driving test.

That's a handy link, thanks 👍

 

[PeteXXX]

I drive manual cars & semi-automatic trucks (12 speed with a 13th as overdrive with a flappy paddle option).
The truck has hill-start & positive forward motion on releasing the brakes. I tend to use footbrake at lights & junctions unless I'll be there for a while.

 

[Drago]

I'm an auto man, it caused me great angst going back to manual for the van. I'll be living in a mud hut next.

 

[presta]

there's usually no gearbox of any kind

There is, the motors run faster than the wheels because they just aren't as efficient if they run at the same speed. Tesla have different ratios on each axle, the front optimised for cruising speeds, and the rear for acceleration. The Porsche Taycan has a single speed gearbox on the front and a two speed auto on the rear. What electric cars don't need is a clutch, because electric motors produce torque at zero speed.

https://www.currentautomotive.com/the-past-present-and-future-of-electric-vehicle-transmissions/

 

[Drago]

They have no gearbox, ie, a big, er, box where gears are moved about to keep an engine in an efficient operating range.

Reduction gears of a fixed ratio is a transmission, but not a gearbox.

 

[sheddy]

Can't comment on test requirements, but using the foot brake after dark dazzles the driver behind.

 

[markemark]

They have no gearbox, ie, a big, er, box where gears are moved about to keep an engine in an efficient operating range.

Reduction gears of a fixed ratio is a transmission, but not a gearbox.

Wot he said. Electric cars are geared (like any other moving part) but have no gears. The ratio is pre-determined and cannot be changed in transit. So, not a gearbox. Same way my hula-hoop does not have gears but there's a ratio (gear) between it and me.

 

[presta]

They have no gearbox, ie, a big, er, box where gears are moved about to keep an engine in an efficient operating range.

Reduction gears of a fixed ratio is a transmission, but not a gearbox.

It's a box with gears in for the purpose of keeping the motor in an efficient operating range, and some EVs (eg the Porsche Taycan) aren't a fixed ratio.

 

[welsh dragon]

I passed a manual test and now drive an Auto I don't go to all the palaver of handbrake, neutral yada yada. I just use the footbrake. Then again I don't come across traffic lights between my home and newtown 25 miles away. But if there are tmep lights, now and again, just the handbrake.

 

[fossyant]

Most modern cars people learn in now have clutch assist etc and might as well be automatic. None of this learning the bite point. My daughter doesn't like driving the "very" manual, but super easy Aygo, because she hasn't learnt to drive a car without all the 'assists'. The Aygo is super easy to drive and it's very forgiving of being in the wrong gear - just keeps moving, but my daughter can't get the hang of it.

 

[BrumJim]

Wot he said. Electric cars are geared (like any other moving part) but have no gears. The ratio is pre-determined and cannot be changed in transit. So, not a gearbox. Same way my hula-hoop does not have gears but there's a ratio (gear) between it and me.

The French have two terms:

Boite de vitesse is a gearbox where you can change gears
Réducteur for a box that contains gears, but where you can't change the ratios without rebuilding it.

Presumably they therefore have to find other issues for pointless argument and point scoring?