[PrasannaDhana]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. Old school logic was to learn on a stick shift, because, well, because.

But going forward, especially with EV's proliferating, is that logic still solid? Should a young person start learning on an automatic instead? What's the opinion of experts here?

Go with AT. We as a society have learnt to be lazy enough to justify an AT over MT citing convenience in urban traffic. Even the manufacturers are all focusing on AT variants even in budget models.

We will have a populace like the US, where majority of youngsters can't drive a stick shift. If you plan on getting EVs for your kid, I don't think learning an MT is necessary.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by chandrda

I am also teaching him riding bikes, so I feel its very important to know the gear ratios, control and manipulations.

I find that learning how to ride a motorcycle with gears helps understand gear ratios, rev matching, clutch modulation well, and that translates well to driving a car with manual transmission.

Of course, not essential, lots of people have learned how to drive without knowing how to ride, but it helps.

About the main point, MT or AT to learn, even as someone who loves MTs and drives one even now, and learned to drive more than 25 years ago, obviously on an MT (and though I generally hate driving any car in the city today!), I'd say it makes no difference!

If the learner driver has convenient access to an MT, learn on that, if not, AT. Pretty sure MTs and ICE cars are just going to get less common over the next 20-30-40 years, which is the effective driving life of a young driver learning today, I guess.

Why learn something that is on it's way out, just for the sake of the previous generation's nostalgia?

[itwasntme]

Originally Posted by It's Magic

He would have to learn to drive a manual car, as I believe there isn't a separate section for automatic cars when obtaining a driving license yet.

Originally Posted by PetrolHead2272

However, once you obtain the driver's license it'll clearly show that the holder is permitted only to drive a car with an automatic gearbox.
In case you decide to give the test using a manual car, you'll be eligible to drive both.

Not in KA as per my personal experience. My now 20 year old son took the automated driving track test in our Q3 automatic. No agents or any external influences. He got a 'full' license on his first try.

Originally Posted by GTO

Going against the tide, but unless the person is a car enthusiast, AT is fine.
Otherwise, the MT is irrelevant today.

Agree, it will fade into even more irrelevancy for 95% of people once EVs become commonplace.

[chandrda]

Originally Posted by am1m

Why learn something that is on it's way out, just for the sake of the previous generation's nostalgia?

I don't think MT can be categorized at nostalgia so soon. But yes, it might be nostalgia in another 25 years time. MT is going to be on sale in India for at least another 10-12 years because of the rural population who don't really go for an AT. Its a different situation in the big cities where AT would be preferred choice for the majority.

Regards

[SRS]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

Unfortunately, living in Mumbai and parking the car out in the open takes a toll on many of the parts. While the engine is still a baby, it is probably in the best of life at 26k, the rubber parts are all showing their age. Body rust, though still not visible, has appeared in the form of leaks in Monsoon. It will need a fairly deep refurbishment to keep beyond 15 years.

Well, if that's the case, best to sell it off as soon as possible and get a replacement, probably an EV that suits your requirements; no point in spending over one lakh and not getting any useful life out of it.

[NomadSK]

Most of the AT's can be driven in manual mode, but not the other way round.

If one is on a race track, nothing beats a manual transmission, but in general, day to day life, nothing beats an automatic.

[SK12790]

In my experience, It was very difficult to concentrate on Gear + Clutch + accelerator + Steering + Road Judgement + Side Judgement while learning.

Due to the fear I was not able to focus on all the param at a same time and made mistakes but after all I learned some how and bought a manual car. Now enjoying the drive. If some one asks to take auto i can take so it is both way benefit now.

So in order to avoid the fear I had, initially you child can learn automatic car to understand Steering, road and side judgement, accelerator and break and once they get confidence, they can easily learn manual car which is very easy.

No fear, No irreversible mistakes, no major damage to vehicles and no waste of money and peace of mind .

[after]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

Should a young person start learning on an automatic instead? What's the opinion of experts here?

As others have mentioned, learning manual will be a better option.

1. In an emergency, can drive any kind of car. Also frees up some mental space when you do drive automatic.
2. Understanding clutch and how it feels is an integral part of understanding the vehicle. You'll learn what a happy and unhappy engine feels like. Rev matching, rev hang, torque band, these concepts come to you inherently while driving manual. I believe this leads to a better sense of appreciation and care for the vehicle.
3. Learning a motorcycle after learning a manual car only requires developing muscle memory, no additional theory needed.
4. Learning manual means you can drive a lot more enthusiast cars, given the chance. If you love cars, this is good, if you don't love cars so much you may still fall in love after driving a beauty.

[GhatWanderer]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. Old school logic was to learn on a stick shift, because, well, because.

But going forward, especially with EV's proliferating, is that logic still solid? Should a young person start learning on an automatic instead? What's the opinion of experts here?

Interesting question, @MadinMumbai. Honestly, while my own learning happened decades ago on a trusty manual, my view now is more pragmatic for learners today. If an Automatic is readily available and makes the initial learning curve less daunting (focusing on road sense, steering, spatial awareness first), then why not? MTs are becoming less common, especially with EVs on the horizon. Your child's driving future will likely be dominated by automatics.

I do have a slight counterpoint to the common "if you know MT, AT is easy" argument. While operating an AT is mechanically simpler, the feel, particularly throttle response, is quite different. Many CVTs or AMTs require a different modulation compared to the directness one gets used to in a manual. So, there's still an adjustment period when switching from MT to AT, it's not always completely seamless as some suggest.

That being said, I still feel there's inherent value in learning the manual transmission if feasible. It teaches a deeper connection with the car's mechanics and provides a fundamental skill. It's a bit like knowing how to swim – even if you mostly use boats, the core skill is valuable and might just come in handy unexpectedly (older vehicle, rental abroad, etc.).

So, perhaps the best approach is: Prioritize getting your child comfortable and safe driving in today's conditions using whatever transmission is most convenient.

[letz.rappy]

Starting with AT and transitioning to MT seems best way forward. Even in driving classes, the master takes care of clutch / break controls for first few classes. Once we are comfortable steering, other controls are given one by one. Going by this, one important point to note is that the transition to manual happens here quickly. If eventually someone wants to learn MT, start with AT and immediately transition to MT.

[Cyborg]

It depends from a practical or real world scenario in the near to medium term.

If this person is going to be driving a manual car then definitely learn on a manual.

If this person is going to be driving only an automatic car then why bother learning a manual, unnecessary pain and no practical use case.

Cheers

[SeniorC]

If the driving licence mentions automatics only, if test driving on an auto, then it is better to learn on a manual. Quite a few times one drives a friend's or a relative's car, and if these are manuals, then driving them on a one off basis would be really difficult.

Although, I believe that automatics are the future of driving in India like in west, those times are still way off for bulk of the cars. My kids learnt on manuals (quite few years ago) but they drove an automatic car on their first such drive with no relearning at all.

[Osteon206]

IMO better to learn MT. That way driving an AT is also possible but vice versa would be difficult if later the person decides to get a MT. Also with a LMV licence we can drive either AT or MT but with LMVWG (without gear) licence, it would be illegal to drive a MT.

[TwentyDeewar]

Originally Posted by MadinMumbai

I have a child who is about to start learning to drive. Old school logic was to learn on a stick shift, because, well, because.

But going forward, especially with EV's proliferating, is that logic still solid? Should a young person start learning on an automatic instead? What's the opinion of experts here?

Maybe let your child decide based on how willing/inclined he or she is towards a MT vs AT? I don't think you should let edge cases of sometimes having to drive a MT influence the decision. We have Uber and DriveU to cover for those cases.

Speaking from personal experience - I've seen my sister trying to learn driving on a MT and almost giving up because she really struggled to manage changing gears and also be in control of the car. As soon as she shifted to an AT, everything fell in place. Today she is a confident driver and has no intention of ever driving a MT

[SS-Traveller]

Teach your kid to drive stick, and
- he'll graduate to a motorcycle effortlessly;
- there'll be cheaper, unstealable cars available for him to buy later;
- he can drive classic and fun cars in future;
- he can rent cars with lower rental prices.

Knowing how to drive AT only is like knowing how to tread water but not swim. It's not a tough ask to learn to drive a manual 'box.