Right folks I thought I’d give my views on the argument.
Go%20ahead!
Since the introduction of auto testing it has been mostly argued that it’s a general conception that it’s easier to pass in an auto, believe you me this is not the case!!.
Sorry, but strongly disagree. Without a shadow of doubt, it’s easier to pass in auto.
The most important issue is the quality of training irrespective of the type of transmission, any trainer who markets their training company by Selling it using the auto box argument probably have a fleet with only autos.
100% agree. Quality is everything.
I believe an examiner will look more favourably on a candidate performing a test in a manual box and will be more picky in other areas of driving with candidates in a auto.
Sorry, disagree. Examiners are more professional than to take that view and I have zero evidence that this is the case.
It has to be remembered a manual truck can be of any type now like straight six speed, slap over and range change.
True. btw, a slapover IS a range change
At present I’m looking to buy a auto C+E combination. My personal opinion is that the C test should be done in a manual and the C+E test should have the option of either manual or auto.
That’s your opinion and it’s perfectly valid.
Any wannabe driver who is reluctant to take his training and test in a manual box should seriously question themselves if it is the right career for them or maybe perhaps they should man up a bit!
Ouch! Maybe a tad rude and/or patronising
Of course end of the day it comes down to the choice of the customer so it’s down to the training provider to offer both like Peter Smythe.
Thanks for the endorsement. For the foreseeable future this will remain the case but I feel that in 3 or 4 years time we’ll probably be 100% auto.
This argument will continue rumbling on for as long as the sun rises in the morning. The fact that most newbies don’t understand (and I sincerely hope I’m not being patronising now!) is that it’s valid to learn on a manual and that’s great. But you will still only know how to use one type of manual. Personally, I passed my test many years ago on a straight 5 speed (when cars were normally 3 or 4) and promptly had to master range changes, splitters etc. Having come from a bus background I’d already dealt with auto and semi - auto (though I learned on a crash 4 speed - - very relevant!). My point is that, IMO, trainers spend more time on “roadcraft” rather than “vehicle control”. For me, taking the work out of learning to master a range change, is a bonus. It’s not though the be all and end all of training.
Paul is totally correct when he refers to “quality”. Folks should spend their time researching this rather than whether the vehicle is manual or auto. That is a choice that is sometimes available having found a quality trainer.
BTW, my responses to Paul are not intended to be any sort of criticism of him or his opinions. My responses merely express mine.
Good luck all, Pete 
