Automatic driving lessons in Bentley

What an automatic licence means

If you pass your test in an automatic car, you get an automatic-only licence. You can drive any automatic car (hybrids and most electric cars included), but you would need another test to drive a manual. For a lot of Bentley learners that is an easy trade, especially as more new cars on the forecourts are automatic. Read our manual or automatic licence guide if you are still deciding, and our main automatic driving lessons page for the full course.

Why automatic suits Bentley's traffic

The busiest part of Bentley is the A19, which runs through as Bentley Road and Askern Road. At school times the traffic near Bentley High Street Primary slows to a crawl, and buses on the 51 and 363 routes stop regularly. In a manual car that means constant clutch work. In an automatic the gearbox takes care of it, so your attention stays on the mirrors and on the pedestrians and car in front of you.

The same goes for the level crossing on Church Street next to Bentley station. When the barriers lift, you simply ease off the brake and the car moves. There is nothing to stall, which takes a lot of pressure off in those first few weeks.

Controlling creep with the brake

An automatic car creeps forward on its own when you release the footbrake in drive. Learning to control that creep is the core skill. On the quiet streets around Asquith Road in the New Village, your instructor will show you how to let the car roll at walking pace using only the brake, which is ideal for tight turns and for moving out of a parking space.

• Use the footbrake to hold the car in queues, and the parking brake when you stop for longer, such as at the level crossing.
• Keep your left foot flat on the floor so it never drifts onto the brake.
• Select drive or reverse only with the footbrake pressed.
• For manoeuvres, let creep do the work and use the brake to control speed.

How lessons progress around Bentley

Most automatic learners spend their first lesson getting used to the controls on roads such as The Avenue and Victoria Road. Within a few lessons you will be joining Askern Road from Cooke Street, then driving south over the river on Bentley Road towards the city centre. York Road past Centurion Retail Park gives you longer stretches to practise planning ahead.

Because there is no clutch to master, there is often more time left for the harder parts of the test, such as independent driving with a sat nav, bay parking, the emergency stop and busy multi-lane roundabouts on the way to the Armthorpe side of the city.

Automatic instructors and nearby areas

Diana teaches automatic only and is good at fitting lessons around a busy family timetable. Alecsandru, a former college teacher, also teaches in an automatic car. You can ask for a female instructor or a male instructor when you book.

If you live on the edge of Bentley, you could compare automatic driving lessons in Wheatley, which are closer to the test centre. For everything else we offer here, see driving lessons in Bentley, or think about nervous driver lessons in Bentley if confidence is the main worry.

Automatic driving lessons in Bentley: your questions

Do automatic lessons cost more?

Prices for manual and automatic lessons are listed on our prices page. Many automatic learners need fewer hours overall because there is no clutch to master, which can balance out the total cost of learning.

Can I take an automatic test at the Doncaster test centre?

Yes. The Doncaster centre at Shaw Wood Business Park tests in both manual and automatic cars. You take the test in our dual controlled automatic car, and the test itself is the same length and follows the same marking.

Is an automatic car easier on the A19 through Bentley?

For most learners, yes. Askern Road and Bentley Road have frequent stops for buses and crossings, plus traffic queues at busy times. Without a clutch you will not stall in those queues, so you can put your full attention on observation and planning.

Can I learn in an automatic if I have a disability?

Yes. Our automatic cars are dual controlled and we teach Motability customers. Have a look at Motability driving lessons in Bentley and tell us about any adaptation needs when you call.