Need to regain my confidence

Well done for driving again after a long gap Mouse. and yes automatic cars are so easy.

Preg paws 3 As I said quiet place quiet time not likely to hit anything The lack of handbrake sounds appealing. A few years ago recovering from broken wrist
Was out with friend and parked on a hill. It was a two woman job getting away without rolling back

Have you a good friend who drives an automatic and likes it?

If so, ask if they will accompany you on a couple of short drives as an instructor.

Or simply phone a driving school and ask for a couple of lessons, telling them what you wrote here.

My 10 year old automatic fiesta has a hand break .... didn’t know they were being phased out.
It does have a press button starter and I don’t need to use keys to get into it but best of all it has heated seats.

I love my auto. No rolling back on hills. Over taking easy. I would say, when in a traffic queue stay back a little further, just as a precaution, from car in front in case you lurch forward. While you practice.

My husband has arthritis in his knees and the left one is the worst. One day he had to lift his leg up to use the clutch so reluctantly got rid of his car and bought an automatic. His knee is much less painful now.

We changed our manual car for a automatic. Like you, I'm the only driver and having driven manuals for over 40 years I was worried.

Took to it like a duck to water, almost. It only took me a couple of drives to get used to it.

Go for it, enjoy

I was advised by my consultant to buy an automatic after a serious accident that left me needing a titanium left shoulder and upper arm replacement. I’m so pleased I did as I was able to drive again 4 months after surgery. Take it easy, rest your left foot on the floor - my car has a footplate for the left foot. I’m sure you will slowly regain confidence and enjoy driving again. Good luck!

Go to your nearest largish car park at a quiet time and practise away to your heart's (and confidence!) content. Good luck. I'm very pleased for you. Onwards.....

I got an automatic car after a stroke. I absolutely love it! Automatic wipers, lights, parking( even though I am scared to try that yet) am sorry I didn’t get one years ago.
Go for it! It will make your life so much easier.

I have been driving an automatic for about 10 years now. Don't worry you will get the hang of it very quickly. Just take a deep breath and go a couple of miles. You'll wonder why you worried.

I used to drive automatics but if I went back to one now I'd be unsure. Why not contact a driving instructor to see if you could be taken out for a familiarisation lesson or two.

Just remind yourself that your licence covers you to drive it, therefore you do have the skills needed.
Last year, the taxi my daughter booked for a 2am flight, never came so they had to take their van to the airport without prebooked parking. They phoned and asked if I could go to their house, get the key and bring it back to my house to save extortionate parking fees - only when I got there did I realise it was an automatic! I have driven an automatic hire car 22 years ago for 2 days, but luckily, for me I remembered what I needed to do and once I found the handbrake (really low down - practically under the seat!) I really enjoyed driving it. I'm 69 but if I ever change my car I would get an automatic based on that experience. I loved it, and am sure you will too. Have faith in yourself!

Iamroadsmart does courses, including for older or returning drivers. Would be best to go with someone professional to hone your driving skills. Once you feel confident to go out and about again, the rest will follow

I got an automatic Mini Cooper which is a joy to drive.I always drove manual cars but since having cataract issues and arthritis in my knees an automatic isa godsend.It is a confidence booster and I am much happier driving than I was before.

Take heart from all these comments, I’m an other who around three years ago went into my first automatic apprehensively but it was brilliant I love it! I still switch between that and a manual and enjoy both cars for different reasons.

Book yourself a driving lesson or two. My friend did just that and is much happier driving now. It doesn't matter that you are already a qualified driver. Any good driving instructor will be happy to take you out and teach you what you need to know.

I broke my left foot many years ago - and have done it again since - silly me! I was so relieved that I had an automatic car as I was able to drive because my left foot in plaster was redundant.

When I first had it I found that I adapted to it very quickly and I am sure you will too. I have recently had a new car and that took a while to get used to, but I think I've cracked it now. I love that it beeps at me when parking - and a lot when I have to pull into the hedge on the local lanes!

I know it is hard when you have been off the road for a spell, but it really will come back to you and you will get your confidence back.

Kiwiqueen you seem to have solved the driving problem with your new car. To help you build up confidence and get back to joining in with life out there in the real world, remember that it's never as bad as it looks. We are used to the technology of 10-20 and more years ago where you had to do a lot of the thinking for the machine. Nowadays it is usually one step ahead and you can skip a lot of steps. (Not sure if that makes sense)

In other words, don't overthink things. For example, you look out at the rain and think "I don't want to go out in that", but when you actually get outside, you realise it's only spitting a bit and you hardly need an umbrella.

The same is the case if you are looking at a machine to pay for a parking ticket, cash machine, or anything else where you have to press buttons or use a touch screen. Take a deep breath, make sure you are looking at the whole screen and everything around it - the answer will be there somewhere. If someone is waiting behind you, apologise to them and, if necessary, ask them for help (this should sweeten and shorten their waiting time)

If it's physical stuff you are apprehensive about, such as carrying shopping or filling up the car at the petrol station, don't be afraid to smile nicely and ask for help. As other threads here this morning have said, people can be kind.

You are not on your own - don't worry!