My driving instructor has suggested i do automatic lessons rather than manual?

I would say that your instructor is probably just trying to get you passed quickly so it looks better on her record, and that's why your instructor may be recommending driving an automatic however, you'll be stuck to driving automatics for the rest of your life unless you take the manual test again. Everybody struggles with the clutch and gear you just need a lot of practice and patience and it will come naturally. You'll find the best biting points for different cars and much you need to accelerate on hill starts etc.

I recommend if possible getting insured on your parents car or someone you know who has been driving for two years or more as it will allow you to go out and get as much practice as needed. Also learners insurance is dead cheap anyways.

I hope this is of some use good luck.

Atleast she’s not trying to get money out of you, most instructors wouldn’t say anything because they know if you require more lessons, they get more money.

I don't think 3 lessons is enough to judge that... But then again she's the instructor.

I know my old instructor dropped someone who had made no progress after 10 lessons. If I were you I'd give it a go for a bit longer.

I passed in a manual but had no intention of ever owing any car that wasn't an automatic.

Thats pretty normal and it's only your 3rd lesson, especially if you're only doing an hour worth of lessons so it just seems like they're rushing you. I didn't get the hang of it until my 7th hour and was never suggested to do automatic, just more practice and it's the same for you. Not everyone learns at the same pace: some will need much more practice and confidence whilst other won't. If you're not making any progress by your 15th hour then yeah an automatic is a better alternative.

I would have thought that judging your overall ability after just 3 lessons is a bit premature. If you pass the automatic test, you can't drive a manual car (unless you go on to pass the manual test), which will be very limiting for you - especially in terms of car choices later on.

I know of a few people who switched to the automatic test after hundreds of hours of lessons and multiple failed manual tests (I'm talking 5+). I don't think you're quite at that stage yet.

I'm going to see if it's possible to practice with a family member. I feel like if i got to practice for a few more hours I'd hopefully get the hang of it and be able to move onto practice other skills. I think I'd like to continue like you've advised and if I'm really not progressing then consider changing. I'm kind of worried my instructor doesn't want to continue though she didn't explicity say that, she's asked me to get in touch and think about it

Are you driving a petrol or diesel?

Ive heard petrol cars are generally easier to drive because you can rely on the clutch a bit more.

I guess she will have some experience of who has more than average problems with gears. However all new still are difficult and with practice and patience you get there. I would persist a good bit longer and prove her wrong.

If she's still persistent on you doing automatic, it would be better to find another instructor or getting someone you know to teach you. It's just weird for her to suggest you changing so early on within 3hrs worth of lesson, and expecting you to get the hang of all of this in such short amount of time. Not to mention the average hours people do before passing as test is 45hrs.

Thank you for all your comments, i definitley want to continue and will message her next week. I am questioning whether i should stick with my current instructor or choose someone else based on the fact she doesn't seem overly confident in me.