A question for the Brits... I was reading a book in which the character is trying to rent and...

helenS · 36-40, F

I'm not British, I live on the "Continent'", and automatic transmissions are a rare thing here too. I believe they are seen as being "unmanly" or something...

TheThinker · 56-60, M

Yup, they're unusual here in the UK, usually reserved for bigger cars or disabled drivers. Has always been straightforward to buy one though, but until recently quite uncommon to hire.

Having said that, growing up in the 1970s, my Dad had a fair few automatics, but that's because the constant clutch use of a manual played havoc with the sciatica in his left leg.

However, as @HatterM said, they're becoming increasingly common these days as hybrids/electrics take over.

PhilDeep · 51-55, M

Yes, it's considered odd to only be able to drive automatic here. They're nowhere near as popular as manual, as far as I know. I think all of the hybrid / electrics are automatic now, so that will probably gradually change.

Matt85 · 36-40, M

Yup

bravo55 · 70-79, M

In the UK if you passed your driving test on a car with an automatic transmission your license didn't allow you to drive a car with a manual gearbox.

Notladylike

Autos are very common here in Australia. When I moved to France though I had to get my manual license. I was told by the family I was going to work for I wouldn’t really have options to drive without it.

SW-User

When I was looking for a new car in 2018 there was only a few automatic cars in each showroom or outside it. In the 80s and 90s I think they became a thing but before this they were probably next to unheard of. Now over the last 3-5 years since hybrid and electric cars are common it’s now quite easy to find an automatic car. I have an electric Mini Cooper S. I remember my Nan driving an automatic gear box in her cars she had in the 90s but even up to 20 years after that they were not easy to come by that I really wanted until now.

jackjones68 · M

you can get automatics. i have an automatic
also if you ask a rental company they will accommodate you

Dlrannie · 31-35, F

I don’t know about hiring but by far the majority of cars in the UK are manual. 🙂🐼🥢

DearAmbellina2113 · 41-45, F

Idk about the UK but I have a friend from Germany who says automatics are rare there.

ArtieKat · M

I would say it depends on the size of car here in the UK. The luxury brands like Jaguar will be available mainly in automatic transmission, but small hatchbacks will be quite rare as rentals. It's mostly grannies who drive them and I doubt they are regular renters.

whowasthatmaskedman · 70-79, M

In Oz renting a manual is rare. Only some companies have the option at the bottom end of the range. However I am aware that your information is accurate for Britain, for both the rental and ownership market.😷

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

I've never had trouble hiring an automatic. They are not very popular in this country so they tend to be last to leave the shop. I like them. I mainly drive on motorways and in a city and they make driving a little less tedious.

nonsensiclesnail · F

As one who tried to rent an automatic in Britain, yes that’s true.
The one time anyone had one available it was 4 times the cost to rent.