GoDrive School of Motoring

Driving is a crucial aspect of human life that helps to break the barriers of confinement and dependency; however, it may be complex and challenging in the same instance. Aspiring drivers and even those who have no prior driving experience are often curious and may ask if it is difficult driving an automatic car. GoDrive, Galway’s favourite driving school, means one thing, that our methods don’t make learning to drive a nightmare. In the next few paragraphs, we will look at whether driving an automatic car is as hard as a manual one, first analysing the easiest aspects of automatic driving and second, providing the best step by step guidance to ensure you can drive an automatic car like a professional. 

Understanding Automatic Transmission

Before one can even begin to ask the question how difficult it is to drive an automatic car, it is necessary to understand the functioning of a car automatic transmission system. However, just like in the regular manual cars, where the driver directly operates a clutch pedal and gear stick to shift the gears, the gear changes in automatic cars are controlled mechanically or electronically. This fundamental difference implies that cars with auto-driving systems are ;in general; easier to drive, especially for novices.

The Simplified Driving Process

 No Clutch Pedal: Among the most effective ways of ascertaining a person’s driving capabilities, surely one of the hardest things about driving a car with a stick shift is mastering the use of the clutch pedal when swapping gears. Automatic cars solve this issue outright by not concerning themselves with clutch pedals in the first place. This helps the driver spend more time on the wheel and reduces the amount of time spent on lesser important details such as shifting gears.

Automatic Gear Shifting: In an automatic car, there is no particular manual shifting of car gears by the driver as it is done automatically depending on the speed and acceleration of the car. What this means is that the driver does not need to shift gears by himself or herself, and this mechanism makes driving easier. 

Ease of Learning: To most learners, the key benefit they can accrue from using such cars is that automatic transmission is easier to master. Since the addition of the synchronised gearbox eliminates the need for clutch and gear changes, new drivers can focus on other important factors in driving, for instance, traffic patterns.

Common Concerns About Driving Automatic Cars

Despite the simplified process, some learners still have concerns about driving automatic cars. Let’s address some of these common worries:

  1. Loss of Control: Some drivers argue that automatic cars are less personal as opposed to manual cars because the car itself determines when to change gear. Nonetheless, the modern automatic transmissions are very sensitive and offer timely and proper shifts that correspond to the driving circumstances. 
  2. Boredom: Another issue is that operating an automatic car may be less exciting than driving a manual one. Automatic driving seems to be less engaging than manual simply because the latter leaves you in more control but then one has to balance between the two since in congested traffic, automated driving is more preferable and easier to use.
  3. Fuel Efficiency: Traditionally automatic cars are known to be less fuel-efficient than the manual transmission systems. This is perhaps due to the fact that modern technological developments in automatic transmission have been able to drastically minimise the levels of slippage. New automatic cars for instance are as efficient, and in some cases even more efficient than their manual transmission counterparts. 

The Learning Curve: 

GoDrive is aware that every learner has individual needs and preferences that cannot be compared with any other person. We can guarantee that learners do not have to struggle with their coursework while striving for excellent grades because we are here to address individual needs most effectively.

  1. Initial Lessons: Subsequently, your first lessons are going to consist of familiarisation with the car and minor operations. It includes manoeuvres like acceleration and deceleration, turning, and learning the roles of accelerator and brake pedals.
  2. Building Confidence: Once you have familiarised yourself more with the fundamental driving situations your instructor will show you a variety of other scenarios. It entails techniques in handling various traffic situations, encountering road intersections and making safe lane changes amongst others,
  3. Mastering Key Skills: Throughout your lessons you will build-up the driving skills that involve observation, anticipation and decision making. These are basic skills that should be acquired when behind the wheel but will need enhancement hence the practice and feedback sessions.
  4. Preparation for the Driving Test: As you near the end of your lessons, your instructor will help you prepare for your driving test. This includes practising test routes, mock tests, and providing tips to stay calm and focused on the day of the test.

Advantages of Learning with GoDrive

Selecting GoDrive will make you get driving lessons that suit you as we have experienced tutors and that we are committed to providing you quality services. Here’s how we make learning to drive an automatic car easier:Here’s how we make learning to drive an automatic car easier:

  1. Experienced Instructors: Why not learn from the best? Our fully qualified RSA ADI (Approved Driving Instructors) know patience is key, and are well equipped based on their experience to adapt teaching towards the approach that is conducive best to the learner. This is due to the fact that they give precise and detailed guidance regarding learning as well as actions necessary to give you a progressive learning and growth experience.
  2. Dual-Control Vehicles: All our vehicles also are fitted with dual control brakes and steering; thus, we guarantee you that your instructor can take control and prevent a collision if needed. This ensures learners get a chance to learn without being worried of the outcomes, which are likely to be wrong results.
  3. Flexible Scheduling: Our classes are unique in that there is no set class time to attend; the lessons are actually lesson by lesson. Irrespective of your preferred time of day or day of the week for a lesson, we have the capacity to guide you to avail the practice time you require.
  4. Comprehensive Courses: Apart from the start professional course we have the next level courses that enable candidates to advance more by providing motorway lessons and refresher courses. This approach of passing knowledge down to you in a very organised manner will make you a professional driver full of confidence. 

The Role of Practice and Patience

  1. Regular Practice: Extra practice is essential for reinforcing those lessons that you practise during your classes. If possible, do some driving under supervision apart from your professional classes, in order to gain experience.
  2. Stay Patient: It is important for any first time learner to understand that it is normal to make mistakes sometimes when learning to drive. Be kind to yourself and do not get upset. Every misstep could turn into a learning experience. Your instructor is always there to assist and you will also be given directions on how to do the various tasks in the right manner to avoid committing the mistakes.
  3. Focus on Safety: Safety always comes first, and never sacrifice it because of the time and convenience that you wish to gain. Understanding and practising safe driving behaviour is preferable to over-learning of driving lessons. The main thing that will cause your confidence and your levels to rise is experience.
  4. Use Available Resources: Use articles, book, manuals, tutorial and tests available on driving such as manuals for different types of vehicles, online tutorials, and practice tests. Part of it can be used to augment your lessons and the other part will help you attain your goals.

Conclusion: Embracing the Ease of Automatic Driving

In conclusion, driving an automatic car is actually not difficult even though most people have always thought this way, the moment they are instructed on how to do so correctly they begin practising on their own. Lack of a clutch pedal and the logical process of shifting gears automatically take much of the burden off of a new driver and makes the car easy to manoeuvre for a novice driver. We guarantee that with our professional tutors, well-equipped dual-brake teaching vehicles and individualised service, all of our students would be well equipped to undergo a safest and most confident style of driving in GoDrive.

From brand new and never having been in an automatic car to somebody who wants to switch from manual to an automatic car, GoDrive is always on hand to assist you. Students that go through our courses are able to determine their own schedules also, the methods that our instructors use are polite hence; learning to drive an automatic car is fun. Join GoDrive now and learn how you can improve your automated driving skills without even a hint of doubt.