Our Automatic Driving School covers Newbury and the surrounding areas. Many people now choose to learn automatic as opposed to manual due to the fact that more and more electric and hybrid cars are now very common. Please see our latest reviews.

Why choose Peter Skelton Driving School

• • Male and female instructors
  • Manual and automatic
  • Catering to nervous and anxious pupils
  • All lessons are taken at your own pace
  • High pass rates
  • Intensive and semi-intensive courses available
  • Free theory training
  • The highest standards of tuition
  • Motorway lessons
  • Refresher lessons

Now is an excellent time to consider an automatic driving school. We currently have instructors available and ready to help you learn. All lessons are delivered at a pace that suits you, ensuring you feel comfortable and confident at every stage. Our instructors are fully qualified and work to the highest professional standards, something we insist on. Learning to drive is not just about passing a test, it is about becoming a safe, confident and competent driver for life.

Your instructor will guide you step by step through all the skills required, from the very basics right through to independent driving. Lessons are always tailored to your individual ability, whether you are a complete beginner, have some previous driving experience, or simply pick things up more quickly.

Automatic cars have advanced significantly over the years. They are now far more responsive and refined than they once were, which is why many drivers who cover high mileages prefer them. Not having to constantly change gears makes driving easier and more relaxing, especially in busy areas such as Newbury.

Another major factor driving the move towards automatics is the rapid development of electric vehicles. Modern electric cars can now achieve ranges of around 350 miles, compared with roughly 80 miles only a few years ago. They are extremely cheap to run, with a full home charge often costing less than £6. Charging points are also becoming increasingly common, including on streets, in supermarkets, gyms and car parks, with far more available around Newbury than in the past.

All electric cars are automatic. There is no clutch and no traditional gearbox, just an electric motor. With far fewer moving parts, maintenance is simpler and often cheaper. While we do not currently use an electric car at Peter Skelton Driving School, we plan to introduce one in the near future.

In a manual car, the clutch is often the most challenging skill to master. Even learners close to test standard can still make occasional clutch errors, causing the car to jerk or nearly stall. Gear selection can also be tricky, with learners sometimes choosing the wrong gear or changing at the wrong speed. Automatic cars remove these challenges entirely, making driving smoother and less stressful.

So why doesn’t everyone choose automatic lessons? At present, passing your test in a manual car allows you to drive both manual and automatic vehicles, whereas an automatic licence limits you to automatics only. Manual cars are still more common and often cheaper to buy second hand, which is why they remain popular with young drivers. That said, this balance is gradually changing.

Ultimately, the choice is yours. Both options have advantages, and neither is a wrong decision. If you would like help deciding which is best for you, please feel free to get in touch.

Newbury is a historic market town in Berkshire with a population of around 41,000. Situated on the River Kennet and close to Thatcham, it is surrounded by notable landmarks such as Donnington Castle, Highclere Castle and Shaw House. Founded by the Normans in the late 11th century, Newbury later became a centre for the cloth trade in the 16th century, giving rise to the famous “Newbury Coat” and earning its place in British industrial history.