im a leftie and i can not drive an automatic car

Petunia I hope you can get to grips with the automatic enough to enjoy it.
I had the same problems, particularly with my left foot, continuing to work the non-existent clutch for a long time.
Good luck.

I'm a leftie too and I wouldn't swap my automatic for anything! The trick is to firmly plant your left foot to the floor and keep both hands on the wheel until you get used to it. Drive every day for 14 days and it will become a learned behaviour.

Good luck!

I ended up not buying an automatic for that reason.

I have a desktop computer with the mouse etc on my left and most people who do not know me and enter my house for whatever reason make some comment.

I no longer knit but when I did, I felt like something from the circus being seen using my left hand.

petunia I’m another who had my left handedness discouraged as a small school child. I write with my right hand but do everything else left handed eg using a carving knife, screwdriver etc . I even kick a ball with my left foot.

I would suggest you persevere with the automatic. I had only ever driven a manual car till last year when my daughter encouraged me to use her automatic VW camper van. I was very apprehensive at first and expected I’d never become used to it. But I was surprised how quickly I mastered it after a few local test drives.

My only problem is when I return home after a few days away and start to drive my manual car again. I have to be extra careful for the first few hours as my feet don’t seem to naturally find the clutch and brake pedals without extra concentration.

My new car is an Automatic, DH had them for years
Why did I wait so long, easiest Car to drive, you just need remember not to use your Left foot.
Good luck and this will be second nature soon.

I can't even work a can opener properly, so behind the wheel of a car is a bit of a worry.

I am not a leftie but have always operated a mouse with my left hand. It was instinctive from the time I first sat down at a computer and transferred the mouse from right to left because operating it with my right hand felt so clumsy.

And I agree with Charleygirl5 people always comment on this and I get fed up with people who swap it to the right in order to use my computer and then fail to return it to its proper place! Thats you, I am talking to, DH, DS, DD.

Being a leftie in the world is fraught with minor irritations isn't it MOinca and Charley. When I was a student midwife I was told quite firmly that all vaginal examinations and episiotomies MUST be done with my right hand. I converted to the right side but it took quite some time to feel normal.
I've always struggled with group activities such as zumba and other exercise classes. While everyone else leads with their right, I automatically lead to the left-causing many a clash with people at my side.

I can remember many a time, me and my girl lifting something ridiculously heavy, and me doing it "wrong'.
Ironing my mums knickers, then getting told I'd put them in the drawer the wrong way round, and my grandson telling me everything in his wardrobe is hung up facing the wrong way

Both my DD’s are lefties. The older one drives my automatic car with no problem. The younger one isn’t allowed to drive it yet - insurance is too high!

I'm left handed but was never discouraged. I write like a right hander as does my left handed daughter. My 2 lefthanded sons in law both write 'over the top'.

When I worked in a bank all the adding machines were made to be used right handed so I did.

My next car will be automatic and I am not expecting any problems.

I doubt that anyone who has reached our age and always driven with a manual gearbox will ever feel comfortable driving an automatic car.

But the advice to drive a little every day is probably sound.

Do you need to drive your husband's car? Can't you stick to your own?

MissAdventure

I can't even work a can opener properly, so behind the wheel of a car is a bit of a worry.

But surely you can buy both tin openers and scissors for left-handed people?

If they are not available in Britain try Amazon.de.

I'm right handed and have had to drive an automatic car from time to time. I have trouble with what to do with my left foot, too.. and my left hand... I think it's just a question of getting used to it.

But you don’t have a problem with the gear stick in a manual car petunia?

Sorry I didn’t think - of course you don’t! Doh!!!

Sweeping statement there, Grandetante. It took me all of five minutes to get used to an automatic car.

When I collected my automatic car I asked a neighbour to come out with me for an hour and have never looked back. Only wish I had had one years ago.

MissAdventure

I can't even work a can opener properly, so behind the wheel of a car is a bit of a worry.

Maybe invest in a left-handed can-opener?

I have recently inherited my mother-in-law's automatic. I'm right handed but still found it really difficult - especially that left foot! ... as someone else said, plant it firmly on the floor!!!

I made myself go out in it every day for about 2 weeks - even if I only drove a few miles to the tip or 15 to visit mother-in-law. I am OK now. You will surely get there with use.

I think that driving an automatic car takes a bit of adjusting to regardless of which hand you use as it is the feeling of something being "odd" or not enough to do.

My automatic car is driven by the whole family which includes lefties and righties. I tell them that to pretend they are driving a fairground dodgem - stick it in drive and then one foot for the accelerator and the other for the brake! DD1 manages to drive it well despite having grown up without a dominant hand - she writes left handed but uses a computer right handed.

When you change cars there is a period of adaptation and I speak as someone who:
- learned/drove manual for 14 years in the UK - gear change left handed
- moved to Scandinavia and drove manual 15 years - gear change right hand (but pedals the same as UK)
- had accident and switched to automatic as not able to change gear

I’m left handed and have been driving automatics for about fifteen years. My left knee is arthritic so is grateful not to have to do anything.

I’m left handed (and left-footed) and can drive an automatic. It’s just a matter paid practice. Tuck your left foot under the seat for a while.

I'm right handed and for years wouldn't drive my husband's automatic, it felt so alien it scared me . Eventually when we were going down to one car I had to. It took a little while before I stopped going to put it in first gear every time I pulled away from a stopped position but I got there in the end. I also did what Zonne says, placed my left foot right back against the seat, completely out of the way.