【Driving Classroom】Want to learn to drive? But don’t know if it’s better to learn automatic transmission or fixed transmission? Come in and wait for the driving instructor to tell you

When learning to drive, choosing between automatic transmission or stick transmission (manual transmission) is a question that many novice drivers face. From the perspective of a driving instructor, the following details the advantages and disadvantages of both and the situations in which they are suitable for learning, to help prospective car owners make a wise choice:

1. Difficulty of learning driving skills

   • Automatic transmission cars are easier to learn because the driver only needs to focus on the accelerator, brake and steering wheel operations without worrying about the clutch and gear switching, making it easier for novices to get started.
   • Driving a stick-wave bike requires learning more techniques, including stepping on the clutch, shifting gears and mastering the skills of half-clutch. It has high requirements for coordination and concentration, but it can cultivate more comprehensive driving skills.

2. Difficulty of the test

   • Learning to take the automatic transmission test is relatively simple because the operation is simple and students can concentrate more easily, reducing the chance of losing points due to technical errors.
   • The test for stick-boom bikes is more difficult because it requires high technical considerations such as starting, shifting gears and starting on a slope, and it is easy to lose points due to mistakes.

3. Practical driving flexibility

   • Automatic transmission cars are suitable for daily driving, especially in busy cities, because there is no need to change gears frequently, and the driving process is easier.
   • Stick-wave vehicles are more advantageous in situations where long-term driving or driving on mountain roads is required, because the driver can control the vehicle power and speed more flexibly to cope with different road conditions.

4. Suitability of license plates

   • If you learn to drive an automatic car, the driver's license you get can only drive an automatic car, and you cannot legally drive a stick-electric car.
   • If you learn to drive a stick-transmission car and obtain a driver's license, you can drive both automatic and stick-transmission cars, which has a wider range of applications.

5. Flexibility in vehicle selection

   • In the modern market, there are more choices of automatic transmission models, and most people use automatic transmission vehicles in their daily lives, so learning automatic transmission is more in line with the needs of most people.
   • Although the number of stick-wave models is gradually decreasing, stick-wave is still the main choice in some situations (such as driving a sports car, truck or special vehicle), and learning stick-wave will help you deal with these situations.

6. Driving pleasure

   • Automatic transmission cars are easy to drive and suitable for people who want to drive easily, but may be a bit boring for people who like driving pleasure.
   • Stick-wave vehicles can provide more driving participation and allow the driver to feel the joy of controlling the vehicle, especially driving enthusiasts prefer this driving style.

7. Maintenance and fuel economy

   • The gearbox structure of automatic transmission vehicles is more complicated and the maintenance cost is relatively high, but with the advancement of technology, the fuel economy of modern automatic transmission vehicles has approached or even surpassed that of stick transmission vehicles.
   • Stick-shift cars are cheaper to maintain and, in some cases, still have better fuel economy, but require the driver to master proper shifting skills.

8. Long-term considerations

   • If you only consider daily transportation needs, it is more practical to learn to drive an automatic car, because automatic cars are more convenient and popular.
   • If you plan to work in a driving-related job (such as in the transportation industry or as a racing driver), or if you may need to drive a stick-racing car in the future, learning stick-racing is a better choice.

9. Advice from a driving instructor

   • If beginners lack confidence in driving, it is recommended to start with an automatic transmission car and gradually become familiar with driving skills.
   • If students want to master comprehensive driving skills and have enough patience and interest, it is recommended to learn to drive a stick-wave car, because this will provide more flexible driving options in the future.

In summary, whether to choose automatic transmission or stick transmission depends mainly on the needs and long-term plans of the students. The driving instructor will usually provide suggestions based on the students' goals and abilities to help them choose the direction that best suits them.