Can I learn to drive an automatic transmission car?
3 Answers
You can learn to drive an automatic transmission car by applying for a C2 driver's license. Both C1 and C2 driver's licenses allow you to drive small or micro passenger cars, light or micro trucks, light, small, or micro special-purpose vehicles, and small passenger cars with fewer than 9 seats. The difference is that a C1 license allows you to drive all the above vehicle types, while a C2 license only permits driving automatic transmission vehicles. The steps for starting an automatic transmission car are as follows: 1. Fasten your seatbelt; 2. Start the car; 3. Press the brake and shift to D gear; 4. Release the handbrake; 5. Turn on the left turn signal; 6. Release the brake, press the accelerator, and straighten the turn signal to complete the start. The gears of an automatic transmission include: 1. P (Parking gear and starting gear); 2. R (Reverse gear); 3. N (Neutral gear); 4. D (Drive gear); 5. L (Low gear); 6. S (Sport mode); 7. OD (Overdrive gear).
A few days ago, I accompanied my cousin to the driving school to sign up, and she directly chose the automatic transmission. Nowadays, many people make this choice, especially since automatic transmission cars account for over 70% of vehicles on the road. The biggest advantage of automatic transmission is its simplicity—no need to press the clutch or shift gears; you only need to control the accelerator and brake throughout the drive, making it particularly suitable for beginners with average hand-foot coordination. Additionally, all electric vehicles now come with automatic transmission, which is undoubtedly the future trend. However, it's important to note that with a C2 license, you can only drive automatic transmission vehicles. Driving a friend's manual transmission car would be illegal. It depends on your needs—if you're certain you won't drive manual transmission cars in the future, learning with an automatic transmission is much more efficient.
I'm a retired driving instructor who has taught over a thousand students. Of course, you can learn to drive an automatic transmission car, and it's especially friendly for middle-aged and elderly people. No need to figure out the clutch control, no fear of rolling back on slopes, and no sweating nervously when starting at traffic lights. In the past, manual transmission students often stalled during practice, but this is rarely an issue with automatics. Nowadays in big cities like Beijing and Shanghai, over 70% of driving students choose automatic transmission. The only thing to consider is the exam vehicle - some smaller driving schools have fewer automatic transmission training cars, so it's best to inquire in advance. After getting your license, shared rental cars all support automatic transmission, which is perfectly sufficient for commuting and daily use.
