Automatic driving lessons in Skellow

The case for an automatic in Skellow

Skellow driving involves a lot of waiting and edging forward. Buses stop along Crabgate Lane and Mill Lane, cars are parked on both sides of many estate roads, and the stretch of Skellow Road through the old village needs careful speed control. Without a clutch to manage, most learners find these situations much less tiring.

Automatic cars are also becoming the norm. Every electric car is automatic, and many new petrol and hybrid models are too. The one condition is that an automatic pass gives you an automatic-only licence. If that might cause problems later, read our guide to choosing your licence type first.

Learning creep on the estates

Your first automatic lesson focuses on creep. With the car in drive and the brake released, it moves forward slowly on its own. On streets such as Leyburn Road and Howden Avenue you use creep to edge out of junctions and squeeze past parked cars, controlling speed with light pressure on the brake.

The golden rule is one foot only. Your right foot covers both pedals, and your left foot rests out of the way. When you stop for longer than a few seconds, apply the parking brake. Your instructor will show you how the selector works and when to use park.

Reversing in an automatic

Reversing exercises feel different without a clutch. With the selector in reverse, creep moves the car back slowly, and you control it with gentle brake pressure while you look over your shoulder. Your instructor will practise the parallel park on a street such as Howden Avenue and the bay park in a quiet car park, until you can place the car accurately every time.

School-run traffic on Lodge Road

Owston Park Primary Academy is on Lodge Road. The start and end of the school day bring a burst of parked cars and young children with their parents. An automatic makes this kind of slow, start-stop driving easier, because you can focus completely on the pavements and the gaps between vehicles.

If you are a parent, you can book an automatic lesson to start just after the school drop-off. Lessons can begin or end at the school if that saves you a trip home.

Faster roads, smoother driving

Once you are confident in the village, lessons head along Skellow Road to Carcroft and down the B1220 through Adwick le Street. On the A638 you learn to accelerate smoothly onto faster stretches and brake progressively for the Highwayman Roundabout, while the gearbox handles every change.

Alecsandru is one of our male approved driving instructors. He teaches automatic and used to be a college teacher, so he is used to explaining things clearly. You can request a male instructor or a female instructor, depending on who you feel more comfortable with.

Taking your test in an automatic

There is no separate automatic test. The examiner will check your eyesight, ask a show me and a tell me question, and watch your independent driving and one reversing exercise just as closely as in a manual car. Practising the reversing exercises in an automatic is often easier, because creep gives you fine control at low speed.

See our main automatic driving lessons page for the full picture. Neighbours in the next village can read about automatic driving lessons in Carcroft. When your test is close, a mock driving test in Skellow is a good check, and driving lessons in Skellow lists local pick-up points.

Automatic driving lessons in Skellow: your questions

Can I upgrade an automatic licence to manual later?

Yes, but you would need to pass another practical test in a manual car. Many people never need to, because automatic cars are now widely available. If you think you might drive a manual van for work, it is worth weighing that up before you start.

Are automatic lessons available from Skellow?

Yes. We have dual controlled automatic cars and instructors who teach in them, and we collect learners across Skellow, from the old village along Skellow Road to the closes off Hampole Balk Lane. Say you want automatic when you book so we can match you with the right car.

Do automatic learners need fewer lessons?

Many do, because there is no clutch to master and no gears to choose. It still depends on how often you drive, how quickly you pick up road sense and how calm you feel behind the wheel. Your instructor will give you an honest view after a few lessons.