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I take your point. My wife doesn't. For reasons we want to get her driving ASAP. She is insistent that automatic will be much easier (probably true) and that she will have me for the sort of instances you list above (also probably true). So here we are.
Any suggestions for instructors gratefully received.
owl-
She is insistent that automatic will be much easier (probably true)
The mechanics of operating the machinery are the trivial part of learning to drive. Bear in mind that the overwhelming majority of people get into a stick shift car as their first experience of conducting a motor carriage of any kind and have sufficient proficiency in the mechanics within an hour or two, whereas most are also dangerously weak on the actual important stuff after they pass the examination. It is not going to materially delay qualification if she learns on a manual. What is going to delay the process is finding one of the minority of instructors with an auto.
gbj_tester
Unless she has some physical impairment which permanently precludes use of a manual gearbox, I would advise strongly against qualifying on an auto. While I love my auto and they are becoming increasingly ubiquitous this side of the pond, there are still situations where not having stick shift on your licence will cause inconvenience, e.g. garage courtesy cars, hires, borrowing a mate's van etc.