If you know how to drive a car with a manual gear box – or transmission – it is easy to also drive an automatic transmission car. But not so, the other way around.

Some states in Australia – certainly Victoria and NSW – will not permit you to drive a manual car if you hold only an automatic transmission driver’s licence. They will not allow you to transfer over your licence, if you learned only in an automatic car. In some cases, a driver with a physical disability can drive only a vehicle with automatic transmission. Auto transmission is easier and may be a good option if driving in congested, inner city traffic. But auto transmission is more expensive to have serviced, and consumes slightly more fuel than a manual car because of the higher ‘rev’ rate of the car’s engine.

By all means learn in a car with auto transmission, if you intend to only ever drive vehicles that are always autos. For example, a taxi … or an army tank! But if you aspire to driving semi-trailers, they can have up to 26 manual gears, with most usually having 9 or 10 (some truck models now offer semi-automatic transmission). If you are a nervous driver, especially in congested city traffic, then auto may appeal. Not having to manually change gears is certainly easier for an inexperienced driver, allowing you to focus on other aspects of driving, such as awareness of other drivers and pedestrians. Many learners opt for an automatic transmission, with the intention of later learning how to use the manual gear shift when they all other aspects of driving have become second nature. However, it is well recognised that few will go on and achieve this. Auto transmission adds to the price of a car, and that will carry over as a benefit in resale value.

On the other hand, driving a car with manual gear shift is more fun than an auto. Most motoring enthusiasts would never consider a car with an automatic transmission. Can you imagine James Bond jumping into his silver Aston Martin and planting his foot … in an auto! Manual gears also offer greater control of the car’s performance and handling. This is especially beneficial if you constantly stopping and starting, driving in the country where conditions continually change, and if you are in a hilly area. Going down through the gears aids in braking when approaching a corner or stopping, and this saves wear and tear on brake pads. But the constant changing of gears does wear out the clutch, which is an added maintenance cost and can be a huge problem if it wears out without warning.

Learning to drive a manual will probably cost more, because professional driving instructor’s usually charge extra to use their manual car. After all, they cost more to buy. If you learn in a manual car, you will have more skills as a driver and more options when you buy your own car. Let’s face it, you can’t always choose the vehicle you have to drive, especially in work situations, so it is an ability well worth having. But learning in an auto is quicker and easier, if time is important.