Driving Automatic

There are people driving in the UK who never took a test.  They got their license before you needed to pass one.  

The test was introduced on 1 June 1935 and all who started to drive on or after 1st April 1934 had to take a test. However the test were supended during World War 2 (until 1 November 1946) and wartime provisional licences could be exchanged for full ones without a test until February 1948.

I hate driving here, too. I thought I would quickly adjust -- I was proud of my driving ability in the States -- but I'm not adjusting at all.

We're out in the boonies. The roads are far too narrow and windy, there are no shoulders to speak of (and often a lethal drop-off or sea wall instead) and people whip up and down them. Plus cars parked all over, narrow parking spaces, roundabouts and zebra crossings.

To top it off, I've driven two-seater convertibles forever, and my husband's car is an ordinary 4-door sedan. It feels like driving a junior high gymnasium to me.

Oh, well. At least I prefer a manual transmission.

If you drive an automatic and only want to drive an automatic, take the test in an automatic! Don't even think about trying a manual if that terrifies you. I have never had any interest in driving a manual and I never will. I took and passed my test in an automatic 8 years ago and have never looked back! 

My (british) BF just passed his test in an automatic. When he first started looking into driving he was adamant that he had to do manual because he thought it would be impossible to find an automatic car. Needless to say, he struggled with learning manual and hated it, so I convinced him to try automatic for one lesson. He cancelled all of his manual lessons the next day. 

If you drive an automatic and only want to drive an automatic, take the test in an automatic! Don't even think about trying a manual if that terrifies you. I have never had any interest in driving a manual and I never will. I took and passed my test in an automatic 8 years ago and have never looked back! 

My (british) BF just passed his test in an automatic. When he first started looking into driving he was adamant that he had to do manual because he thought it would be impossible to find an automatic car. Needless to say, he struggled with learning manual and hated it, so I convinced him to try automatic for one lesson. He cancelled all of his manual lessons the next day. 

These are both encouraging.  It's easy to feel like going for automatic here is like a big cop out, but I just prefer it!    BF is coming around to the idea as well.  He's had his license for about 5 years, but has only actually been properly driving on it for 1 year.  Like Mrs. R said, he's someone who tends to panic when he doesn't know where he's going and having to worry about shifting probably doesn't help matters.

I like the control and fun of using a stick shift and on my last trip to the UK I opted for a stick on the rental car at Heathrow. I drove to Bristol and I had to exchange the stick for an automatic at the airport there because it was too much for me.
I now have a new Mazda and I can choose to drive it as an automatic or shift the gears manually which I do.

I am one of the ones who passed in an automatic. DH said he will never buy a manual again so that made it easy! I can drive stick and I have driven one here but an auto is so much easier here since shifting with my left hand is awkward for me and I didnt want to wait to drive.  DH isn't home all the time to take me around and I needed the freedom to go out when I wanted.

It was the best thing I ever did, if I didnt have my license and care I think I would have packed it in ;-)

I also took my test in an automatic and obviously drive an automatic car. Eventhough I drove manual transmission cars for all my driving time in America, I chose to stick with autos here. 

One other thing to keep in mind is that when it comes to buying a car, an automatic will generally be more expensive - about £1000+ more IME.

For those of you who are driving automatics:

I've been driving an automatic for over 20 years now so I bought a multi-mode transmission (Mazda 2) when I moved here and have been doing just fine with that. However, my US license is only valid here until November and now I have to take the Practical before it gets too late.

I passed the Theory test a few weeks ago and have been putting off the practical b/c of my fear of failing it. I heard that the DSA has a track record of failing lots of first-timers (even those who have driven in other countries). I had hoped that by driving on my US license (btw, I'm not changing my spelling on here just b/c I live in a different country) I could gain experience and comfort with driving - which I have - but I would really like to know what I should be aware of on the test.

As I didn't pay for driving lessons and won't have an instructor's car to use, I will be using my own vehicle. I read somewhere that if you're driving your own vehicle for the Practical test, you should provide another rear view mirror for the instructor. Am I getting correct information? 

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/LearnerAndNewDrivers/PracticalTest/DG_4022543 this should help with details for using your own car

Thanks HG!

Not trying to be the ugly American but really, if you pay £31 for the theory test and £62 for the practical, the least DSA can do is supply their own portable rear view mirror and L plates. Just sayin'

The vast majority of people take the test in an instructor's car, so there isn't much point in the DSA providing portable mirrors and L plates.

I heard that the DSA has a track record of failing lots of first-timers (even those who have driven in other countries).

The DSA doenst "have a track record" of failing anyone... Some people have a "track record" of failing the test.  Its not like they want people to fail, but there is a high rate of failure at many centres. I would suggest that you don't go into it with an idea that the DSA has it out for you b/c they dont.

According to the DSA: In the 2009/10 financial year, there were 71,454 automatic car driving tests conducted and
the pass rate was 39.0%.

I would REALLY encourage you to have at least one lesson with a driving instructor b/c they will be able to tell you what the examiners are likely to pick up on and explain the maneuvers to you.

The DSA doenst "have a track record" of failing anyone... Some people have a
I would REALLY encourage you to have at least one lesson with a driving instructor b/c they will be able to tell you what the examiners are likely to pick up on and explain the maneuvers to you.

I passed first time, but there is no way I would have passed without lessons- even after driving for 12 months over here. After driving for a lot of years I had developed my own habbits and didn't do things the way they expect.

I would like to second the suggestion of at least one lesson. If only because they are very, very familiar with the area and can tell you what may appear on your test! They can also let you know about common mistakes and things to think about.
I passed first try as well, but a lot of that was due to the fact that my instructor took me over what was basically the test route about four times. You can even just book in a "practice test" if you don't want a lesson and have them evaluate you that way.