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Getting ready for lessons

Manual or automatic driving lessons?

Choose the car type that suits the driving you expect to do. MyInstructorFinder pairs you with one of our vetted instructors and checks the transmission and lesson terms before you decide.

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Compare the skills each car asks you to use

In a manual car, you coordinate the clutch and gear changes as well as steering, speed and observation. An automatic does not require you to change gears manually. Both still call for safe observation, positioning, speed choice and control. Consider which type of car you expect to drive and what you want to focus on while learning.

Think about the car you expect to drive

Consider whether you expect to drive a manual or automatic car after passing. If you are unsure, ask an instructor to explain the controls and, if the lesson arrangement allows, help you try them in a safe setting. In a manual, you can build familiarity with the clutch and gear changes; in an automatic, you can focus on the other driving tasks without changing gears manually.

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Check what your licence allows

In Great Britain, code 78 means your licence is restricted to vehicles with automatic transmission. You can upgrade an automatic-only car licence by passing a test in a manual car. Nidirect also lists code 78 as an automatic-transmission restriction in Northern Ireland; check with DVA about the correct process for your circumstances there.

Make the car type part of your request

Tell us whether you prefer manual or automatic lessons, where you need pickup and which dates or times could work. We check the actual pickup, transmission, availability and lesson price with one of our vetted instructors, then negotiate the best available rate for your request. You can read the full offer before accepting; it is held for at least 24 hours.

Keep search and lesson payments clear

The MyInstructorFinder search fee is paid upfront: £9.99 for up to 10 requested hours or £19.99 for 11 or more, plus optional £25 Priority. We keep it only if you accept an offer. If no suitable offer is found by the agreed deadline or the final held offer expires unaccepted, we refund the full fee including Priority. Declining any offer closes the entire search and brings the same full refund. Pay lesson fees directly to your instructor on the day of each lesson; no advance lesson payment or deposit is required through this service.

Official information

Let us find your instructor.

Tell us your pickup, lesson preferences and available times. We check availability with our vetted instructors and negotiate the lesson rate. You see the offer before deciding.

Pay your instructor directly on the day of each lesson. No advance lesson payment or deposit is required. Your upfront search fee is separate.

Declining an offer closes the search with a full search-fee refund, including Priority. The same refund applies if no suitable offer arrives by your deadline or the final held offer expires without acceptance. We keep the fee only when you accept.

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Search fees and refund terms.