yeh, i would advise getting ya licene in a manual, u'll be glad u did later
the best thing i think ya could do b4 ya take the test is book a leason or 2 with a driveing instructer and get him to take you through the test in the general area of where you will take the real P's test. also the car ya do take to do the test, make sure ya fermilya and comftable with it, less chance of stuffing sumthing up cause ya not used to the car.
and just to make it a lil easyer, dont go during school zone times. midday is good if posible. school zones in an area are an extra stress that ya dont need when taking ya drivers test.
i did all thouse thing (apart from the school zone one), and i passed first go at castle hill. so ya should be fine
oh and JCI isnt too bad.. they seem to be one of the rare ppl who insure young drivers in skyline, but ya will pay a bit more for it. a little under $700 is good. im paying a lil under $1000 for 3rd party fire and theft on my r33 gtst