It's a long time since I learned to drive (1975), hand signals had just been phased out!
The driving test has to evolve and change with the times, the manual/auto debate is a tricky one because learning to use gears and clutch on a manual car is a fundamental part of being able to control it safely, possibly one of the hardest parts of learning in my view.
Mrs W and I drive automatics as everyday cars, I`ve owned mine for 12 years and I`d never go back to a manual for day to day driving. My 1970 MGB is a different matter, a classic car should always be manual IMO but even I find it strange going back to a car with manual and overdrive.
I don`t plan to buy another car anytime soon, but it'll be a tough decision when I do. My head says I should consider a small electric or chargeable hybrid, I`ve plenty of driveway space for charging etc and I don`t drive far, but my heart says get another nice big turbo diesel, I love 'em.