Weird driving question

I currently have a provisional license and am learning to drive a manual. I have an automatic car that I purchased, but have been taking lessons in the instructors car - and I feel it's important to get a manual license - our other car is a manual and it's possible I may replace my car with a manual at some point.

I've only had a few lessons but I'm struggling with it. Can I pass the exam in my automatic car so I can drive now, then continue to take lessons in the manual and pass it again, later, to get the manual license? I'm just thinking it could take me a while to pass, and I think I could do it in a few lesssons in the automatic.

Is this stupid, and should I just stick it out and wait however long it takes? If I have a full automatic license how does it work with learning a manual? Would I get a new provisional for that?

Any particular reason you're needing the full license (time running out, job, etc)? 

If you're under your 12 months, you can drive on your full US license, regardless of what car you're driving in and be in it all alone. 

It seems a bit silly (if it were me) to go through the hassle of the test and everything for an automatic and then have to go through it again just to drive a manual, plus the extra costs. 

 I think what you want is to fully comfortable on the left side of the road first and driving signs and things here before fully committing to learning a manual as well.  So practice a ton in the automatic and then you can just focus on learning how to shift gears and do hill starts and all that. Good luck 

Take as many lessons as you need and go for it in the manual is what I say. I was in the same situation when I first moved here with the automatic car and all that and I'm so glad I went for the manual license. Your driving instructor will let you know when you're ready to take the test. I'd rather have paid for more lessons and only test once then to have the added stress of another DSA test. I think I took about 12 lessons but it got me really comfortable on the roads and I passed my test on the first go.

i suppose you are both right, i just find it frustrating to have an automatic sitting in the driveway i know i could drive now. i am being impatient

i'm past the 12 month mark by far - and... i dont think the left side and road signs are whats bothering me - its just the manual bit. everyone keeps telling me i'll just "get it" but that does not seem to be happening. i'll give it more time.

I suppose it does matter how much you think you'll actually need to drive a manual car.  You can rent automatics and you can always find another automatic car if you need it.  There's no harm in having only an automatic license- several folks on here have only automatic licenses and they get on just fine 

I got an automatic when I first moved here because I figured it was one less thing I'd have to think about while getting used to all the other changes. If you're more comfortable with driving an automatic then maybe that is the best way to go. It's certainly one less pressure on you for the test! Whatever is easiest. I had to take a second DSA test to get a Private Hire license and I did it in an automatic because I figured it would give them a little less to fault me on!

generally I have no problems with automatics, I just think that when I replace this car it will be with a hilman imp, or an old mini. The kind of cars I prefer in general tend to be manuals, so its prolly worth just doing it now.

If I have a full automatic license how does it work with learning a manual? Would I get a new provisional for that?

No, the automatic license will act as your provisional for driving a manual car.  But after your 12-month grace period on your U.S. license is up, you'd be under the same conditions as any other learner while driving a manual car, i.e. must be accompanied by a person over 21 who has held a license for 3 years or more, must display "L" plates, not allowed on motorways, etc.

I just think that when I replace this car it will be with a hilman imp, or an old mini.

My first car upon passing my test was a 1964 Hillman Imp.      For a small car, they feel surprisingly roomy inside.