[Matth]

I think what most automatic drivers DO, is hold it on the footbrake in D - the easiest, but not the safest.

N and handbrake is like manual (do not try to engage P unless actually parked and switching off - will often not release the key unless in P. P is also deliberately difficult to engage, requiring a double action of button or side+forward shift, as you do not want to slip into it accidentally!!!!)

The tough question, is D + handbrake acceptable? - I'll usually convert to that if I'm facing uphill, so that there is no chance of a rollback if the creep is insufficient to hold it when moving from brake to accelerator.

PS. If the "automatic" is anything other than a traditional torque converter type, then greater care is needed on (hill) starts, as it has an auto-clutch (tried a CVT once and hated it, as the intial clutch takeup was uncertain if treated too gently, and harsh if treated more firmly - by then, I was well used to my torque converter auto.