Why automatic is booming in Greater Manchester
More learners than ever are choosing automatic. With no clutch and no gear changes, you can put all your attention on the road — which matters in a region of busy junctions, trams, bus lanes and steep hills. Electric and hybrid cars are automatic too, and they're becoming more common every year.
Automatic vs manual: the honest comparison
| Automatic | Manual | |
|---|---|---|
| Price with SQ | £70 / 2 hours | £70 / 2 hours |
| Licence covers | Automatic cars only | Manual and automatic |
| Learning curve | Fewer controls — many learners progress faster | Clutch and gears to master |
| Hills & queues | Easy — no stalling | Needs clutch control |
| Electric cars | Yes — all EVs are automatic | — |
What automatic lessons include
You'll learn drive, reverse, neutral and park, creep control for slow manoeuvres, smooth braking, hill hold, all the test manoeuvres and independent driving. Every skill is tracked in your free DriveSQ Student Portal.
Taking your test in an automatic
You take your test in an SQ automatic car at a Greater Manchester centre, with a warm-up lesson first. Pass, and your licence covers automatic cars. You can upgrade later by passing a manual test.