After properly learning the driving lessons, when you gain your probationary drivers licence there are some specific conditions which restrict what you can with it for the four years until you gain your full drivers licence. One of these conditions focuses on the type of vehicle you can drive when it comes to the transmission.
Automatic drivers license
A probationary driver issued with an automatic drivers licence cannot drive a vehicle with a manual transmission, however a probationary driver with a manual licence can drive an automatic. This means that you must consider what type of licence you might require for your future intentions. It is better that you consult with your driving instructors to suit the road condition in Melbourne.
Do you wish to move overseas to a country where manual vehicles are more commonplace? Do you think you might need a manual drivers licence for future work purposes, driving utility vehicles which may have manual transmissions? Do you see a future you in a high-performance vehicle or collectable car which has a manual transmission?
You can always convert to a manual drivers licence during your probationary drivers licence, however, this requires additional training to learn how to drive a vehicle with this transmission type and you will be required to complete another drive test to prove you can competently operate a manual motor vehicle in traffic.
Manual driving
Manual driving lessons include instruction on how to operate a car with a manual transmission and learning how to use the specific characteristics of these vehicles in everyday driving. Manual vehicles are increasingly less common due to improving modern technology with automatic transmissions, and so these factors contribute to manual driving lessons being slightly more expensive than automatic lessons.
There are added benefits in learning to drive a manual vehicle. Firstly, manual vehicles are typically more fuel efficient as power is transmitted in a more direct manner between the engine, gearbox and wheels. Automatic transmissions tend to lose a significant amount of power along the way to the wheels due to how they work. This may vary depending on car models and has generally improved over time. The driving school in Melbourne from where you have taken the lessons, will provide apt knowledge on which driving model should be best for you.
The other benefit is that when you learn to drive a manual you also learn how to become more involved in operating a motor vehicle and your safety improves as it causes you to think more about what you need to do.
Thinking involved with Manual Driving
Driving becomes less of an automated process and involves more thought process each time you drive. Driving a manual vehicle causes you to observe what’s happening on the road in front and to further think ahead and plan ahead, so that you are more aware of the vehicle’s road speed versus engine speed (an important part of manual driving) and what you are approaching, eg. an intersection or roundabout.
Ultimately it is an individual’s decision about whether to learn to drive a manual or automatic vehicle and is influenced by their future plans and the slightly higher cost involved in learning in a manual vehicle.
Used car or new car?
After choosing manual or automatic transmission now it’s time to get behind the wheels. While getting a car is an exciting process, it’s also one that requires you to think carefully about a lot of different factors. Not only will you need to decide what type of car you want and how much you’re hoping to pay, but you’ll also need to come to terms with whether you’re going to buy a brand-new vehicle, or you’re going to try your luck with a used model. Also, it is necessary to consult your needs with the driving school you had chosen to learn.
The Benefits of Getting a New Car
It’s tempting to automatically choose a brand-new car when you’re looking for something that’s fresh, reliable, and packed full of potential. Every year, some of the best brands in the world deliver new and improved cars that come packed with a range of amazing modern technology features, up-to-date security enhancements, and solutions that make them more efficient than ever. This means that opting for a new car means that you really do get the best that’s available for your budget.
At the same time, a new car can also come with a range of additional benefits, like a warranty in case something goes wrong during the first couple of years you own the vehicle and a service history that you can keep track of every step of the way. It’s not always as easy keeping track of where a used car has been over the years.
Of course, just because new cars might deliver better fuel economy and plenty of shiny new features, doesn’t mean that they’re the ideal solution for every buyer. After all, when you buy new, you’re also committing yourself to spending a great deal more money than you would if you were to purchase a similar vehicle from a used lot. Driving instructor packages in Melbourne are not much costly and thus, you should learn the lessons thoroughly before getting behind the wheels.
