The debate over whether you should have a manual or automatic licence is an age-old conundrum. There are many people of the firm belief that a manual licence is a crucial life skill to possess, while others argue it is not a necessary skill in the 21st century. There really is no right answer, but it is important to weigh up the pros and cons of driving a manual car when you are thinking about purchasing a new vehicle or when you are first learning to drive a car.
Whatever the case, it is important to feel comfortable behind the wheel of whatever car you drive; this should be your first priority. It is also important to be able to drive the car safely, responsibly, and in accordance with the road rules. If you cannot work the clutch with ease, there is little hope that you will be able to safely operate the vehicle, especially on major highways and in congested traffic.
If you do find yourself in trouble with the law on the road, you should seek legal advice from professional firms like GC Traffic Lawyers (visit their website here). They will be able to help you with with fines, penalties, and attaining a work licence, if necessary. But, if your only trouble is deciding which car to buy and licence to hold, here are the pros and cons of driving a manual car.
Manual Car
The Pros
- Car maintenance is generally less expensive for manual cars.
- Manual transmissions are more fuel economical.
- You have more control over the vehicle.
- More often than not, manual cars are cheaper to buy, especially when purchasing brand new.
- You have a better understanding of how your car works and also how hard it is working.
- It helps to prevent distracted drivers as you constantly need two hands to operate a manual vehicle.
- It is an important life skill, especially if you want to travel, get a company car, or need to drive a friend’s car in an emergency situation.
- It is more enjoyable to drive for some people.
The Cons
- Learning to drive is harder, especially because you’ve not only got to focus on the road rules and surrounding cars, but also the manual transmission sequence.
- Hill starts are daunting.
- If you are stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic, it is inconvenient and annoying to have to use manual transmissions.
- You can develop a sore leg or put additional strain on your leg as it is constantly working the clutch.
- With age, the clutch on cars gets stiff and harder to use.
Choosing manual or automatic is, at the end of the day, a choice that comes down to your personal preferences. Whatever you decide, ensure the car is safe to be on the road and that you are comfortable behind the wheel, on the road, and abiding by the road rules. If you have any advice you could give to someone deliberating on this right now, please share your insights in the comments below.
