How to Drive an Automatic Car: A Guide for Learners in Manchester

If you are wondering how to drive an automatic car, you are in good company. More and more learners in the UK now choose an automatic, and in a busy city like Manchester it is easy to see why. With no clutch to control and no gears to change, you have fewer things to think about and more attention left for the road, the traffic and the people around you.

This guide explains the controls, the main techniques and the habits that trip learners up, so you know what to expect before your first lesson. At Astra Driving School in Longsight, we teach automatic driving lessons across Greater Manchester for complete beginners and for drivers switching from manual.

An automatic car changes gear for you. There are only two pedals: the accelerator on the right and a wide brake pedal on the left. That makes the early stages of learning simpler, particularly in the stop-start traffic you meet in places like Longsight, Cheetham Hill and Fallowfield.

Learners often choose automatic because:

• there is no clutch, so you cannot stall and there is no biting point to find
• queues, junctions and roundabouts are less tiring in heavy traffic
• nervous drivers can concentrate on observation and planning rather than gear changes
• it can suit people who find using a clutch physically difficult
• many new cars sold in the UK, including electric cars, are automatic

Most automatic cars use the same basic layout, often called P R N D:

• P (Park) locks the transmission. Use it when you have finished driving and are about to switch off.
• R (Reverse) for moving backwards.
• N (Neutral) disconnects the engine from the wheels. You will rarely need it in normal driving.
• D (Drive) for moving forwards. The car chooses the right gear for you.

Some cars also have extra modes such as L (low), S (sport), B (extra engine braking) or paddles for manual changes. Your instructor will explain the ones your car has. Always keep your foot on the brake when you move the selector, and only select P or R when the car has completely stopped.

A common myth is that you should use your left foot for the brake and your right foot for the accelerator. Do not do this. Use your right foot for both pedals and keep your left foot flat on the floor or on the footrest. Using two feet can lead to pressing both pedals at once, or stamping on the wide brake pedal when you only meant to slow down slightly.

1. Adjust your seat, head restraint and mirrors, and put your seatbelt on.
2. Press the brake firmly with your right foot and check the selector is in P.
3. Start the engine with the key or start button.
4. Keeping your foot on the brake, select D and release the parking brake.
5. Check your mirrors and blind spot, signal if needed, then ease off the brake.

In D or R, most automatics will move slowly on their own when you lift your foot off the brake. This is called creep. It is very useful for slow, controlled driving in queues and car parks, and for manoeuvres, where you often need no accelerator at all. It also means the car will not stay still unless you hold it on the brake, so be ready for it at junctions and crossings.

Plan ahead and ease off the accelerator early, then brake gently and progressively. When you stop in traffic, keep your foot on the brake. If you are waiting for more than a moment, for example at red lights, apply the parking brake so you are not relying on your foot and your brake lights are not dazzling the driver behind. Many cars also have an auto hold button that keeps the car stationary for you; your instructor will show you how it works.

On a gentle slope, creep may be enough to hold the car, but on steeper hills an automatic can roll back. Most modern cars have hill hold assist, which holds the brakes for a moment while you move your foot to the accelerator. Do not rely on it alone. The safe method is to secure the car with the parking brake (or auto hold), select D, make your checks, press the accelerator gently until you feel the car want to move, then release the parking brake.

Stop completely, keep the brake pressed and select R. Look all around, then use creep and gentle brake pressure to control your speed; you will rarely need the accelerator. When you have parked, keep your foot on the brake, apply the parking brake, select P and then switch off.

Manchester has a bit of everything, and an automatic makes much of it easier to manage. Learners can expect:

• Busy main roads such as Wilmslow Road, Oxford Road and Deansgate, with buses, cyclists and pedestrians.
• Multi-lane roundabouts and dual carriageways around Sale, Rusholme and Salford.
• Bus lanes and enforcement cameras, especially in the city centre.
• Narrow terraced streets and tight turns in areas like Longsight, Levenshulme and Cheetham Hill.

Your instructor will build up to these gradually and help you practise on the kinds of roads you will meet on your test.

If you pass your practical test in an automatic car (including an electric car), your full licence will only let you drive automatic cars. To drive a manual car you would need to pass another test in a manual. If you are likely to need a manual car for work or family, think about this before you choose. Passing in a manual lets you drive both.

• DVSA-approved male and female instructors, including female driving instructors if you prefer
• Manual and automatic lessons at the same price: £35 an hour
• Open 7 days a week, 7am to 11:30pm, so lessons can fit around work or study
• Lessons across Greater Manchester and the UK
• Packages including a 10-Hour Saver block (£330) and a 7-Day Fast Track of 10 hours (£350). See our packages and intensive courses.

Learners in and around Manchester often take their test at centres such as West Didsbury, Cheetham Hill, Failsworth and Sale. Each area has its own mix of roundabouts, junctions, residential streets and faster roads. You can read more on our driving test centres page, and your instructor can advise which centre suits you.

Ready to start? Book your automatic driving lessons online, or call or WhatsApp us on 07758 837589. We are open 7 days a week, 7am to 11:30pm.