Manual or automatic — which suits you?
The choice between driving lessons in a manual or an automatic vehicle has a direct impact on your driving licence. We explain the pros and cons so you can make an informed decision.
A manual gives you a universal licence
At Rijschool Denhaag we teach in a manual car as standard. This is a deliberate choice: anyone who gets their driving licence in a manual vehicle may afterwards drive both manual cars and automatics. Your licence is fully universal and gives you the greatest choice on the car market.
If you take your exam in an automatic, that is recorded on your licence. In that case you may only drive an automatic vehicle. If you later want to drive manual cars as well, you need to take a separate additional exam (known as the "manual upgrade") at the CBR. That costs additional exam fees and extra lessons.
For most students the manual is therefore the wiser long-term choice — even though it requires a little more coordination in the early stages.
When is the automatic still the right choice?
There are situations where the automatic is indeed the most logical choice. Students with certain physical limitations, or people who know they will only ever drive an automatic, can perfectly well get their licence in an automatic. In that case you need fewer lessons to master the basic skills, which can save money.
The rise of electric vehicles is also a relevant factor: all EVs are automatic. If you expect to drive electric for the rest of your life, an automatic licence may in practice be sufficient. Always discuss this with your instructor so the choice fits your situation.
- Manual licence = universal (manual and automatic)
- Automatic licence = automatics only
- Manual upgrade via a separate CBR exam
- Electric cars are always automatic
- Not sure? We discuss it together during the trial lesson
