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Driving is one of the most important skills you will ever learn. But before you get on the road, there's lots of things it will help you to know.
Manual or Automatic gearbox?
A manual-gearbox car has 3 foot pedals: accelerator, brake and clutch. An automatic-gearbox car has no clutch pedal and you don't have to change gear yourself - it's automatic.
The vast majority of drivers take their driving test in a
manual-gearbox car. They gain the benefit of being able to drive both manual and automatic cars after their test.
Manual gearboxes are normally standard equipment in all classes of car sold in the UK except some executive or
luxury cars.
The advantages of being able to drive a manual gearbox car are...
They are normally cheaper to buy.
There is normally a much wider choice of cars available.
Most cars fitted with a manual gearbox have better
acceleration AND better fuel economy than the same model of car fitted with an automatic gearbox.
Developing and maintaining the skills of smooth, well-timed gear changes is an important way of enhancing your
concentration and enjoyment of driving.
You have the ultimate choice about what you drive.
For instance, you are much less restricted if you want to hire or borrow a car. If you want to move on to an automatic car later, you can.
Passing only the AUTOMATIC test will restrict you
If you take your practical test in an automatic car, you are restricted to driving that type of car unless and until you
decide to take another driving test in a manual car.
Do you really want to limit yourself in this way? If you have tried a manual gearbox car and seem to have trouble getting used to it, keep at it, it'll all come naturally soon enough.
There are advantages to driving and owning an automatic gearbox car:
They are less demanding to drive.
You avoid the potential cost of clutch replacement.
Click below for more detailed information on
driving economically:
DRIVING ECONOMICALLY
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