Can You Drive a Manual?

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Stick Shift

No, I haven't learned how yet.

Yes, I can!

Updates

+1 y

I learned how when I was 18. It's been a great skill to have, and it's kind of fun to surprise people with it!

[hahahmm]

Yes. The first cars I drove were automatic. Then I went to an auction and bought a manual. My dad was there & said: don't worry, I can show you how to drive stick. I drove a stick most of my life! 2 seconds after I paid for the car he says, "I don't remember anything about driving a stick." The auction yard is out in some rural area, middle of nowhere. 35+ miles from home. All I had heard about stick was "don't shift without using the clutch" which isn't really true but good enough to keep you out of major trouble in the short term. Maybe 5 minutes on the road the car breaks down, blocking a 2 lane highway and the fire department truck with the lights & sirens show up trying to get to an emergency. I got yelled at by the firemen but then they realized I was just a clueless guy with a new car so they pushed the car out of the way & hopped back in their truck & sped off. Tow truck something or other - yadda yadda. I did keep that car for a long time tho.

[hahahmm]

Oh, and I like manual better than automatic. Seems relaxing to drive a manual over a bunch of hills while eating a burger with one hand & drinking with the other hand. Knee doing the steering and slapping the stick into gear with your wrist while smiling like a madman. Ahh those were the days.

[AviatorTom]

I love driving a manual. Unfortunately, most cars in the US are automatic.

Interesting story. Some years ago, my boss (John) and I had a meeting with a prospective business partner in Blackpool England. We landed at Heathrow and John rented a car. He got in the driver's seat, took a look at the stick shift and 3 pedals, and said to me, "I don't know how to drive a stick." John went back to the rental counter and asked for an automatic. "Sorry sir, all our cars are manual drive." So, we switched seats, and I drove for the next 3 days.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@AviatorTom Neat story! I didn't know that about the UK.

[AviatorTom]

@TheRealPepperPotts Thanks for MHO

[sage2021]

I taught myself how to drive a stick shift/manual when I was 16 in my mom's huge '63 Chevy Impala. That thing was as big as a boat.
I taught myself in San Francisco where all the streets are hills. So I really had to learn how to manouver the clutch with the gas.

Not only did I teach myself but I taught about 6 of my girlfriends. I took them to the San Francisco zoo parking lot to teach them.

The way I look at it, if you can't drive a manual car then you really don't know how to drive.

[snowboarder720]

My current vehicle is a manual and I love it. I’m not a fan of driving in stop and go traffic though 😅
I grew up riding motorbikes and mountain bikes so I understood how to engage different gears along with engaging the clutch. I think manuals are a little more efficient because I have control over the engine RPMs. You can’t do that with automatics; when you move the engine will give RPMs and that’s it.
With manual as I can coast down hills in idle speed whenever I want.


It’s definitely a preference thing. It also touches my roots and hope I grew up, I dunno I just like it. 😊

[snowboarder720]

Oh! It’s also a security system because Not everyone knows how to drive it 😆 if anyone is gonna steal my car they are gonna have to be a skillful driver.

The con: not everyone can be my designated driver if I need one.

I drive a Ford Focus ST.

[ApplePie409]

Yes, but I would never buy another car with a manual transmission.

I drove my uncle's grain truck since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Try double-clutching a 7 speed trany with a two-speed rear end. (so a 14 speed)

I was busier that a cat trying to bury shit on a tin roof.

[northerngal]

Indeed I can. My dad made a point of teaching me. My present car... VW GTI... is standard. I love the golf ball shifter knob. I feel more involved in the driving experience and maintains my attention... I even know how to heel and toe! Not easy in heels lol

[electromagnetic]

I can! But I haven’t since I was 19. My dad taught me 6 gears when I was getting my license. I would drive manual if they were r so damn expensive to insure and between the traffic and crazy drivers in Toronto, automatic it remains

[TommyMountainFigure]

I was taught how to do handbrake turns at 13. I don't even think it's possible with an automatic gearbox!

[TommyMountainFigure]

Sorry.. To answer your question, yes I can.

[bolverk]

Yes - I can drive a manual as can the majority of drivers in the UK, and they are allowed to drive automatics without any other tests, but those who pass their test in an automatic will have to undertake more training and take another driving test if they want to move to a manual.

[CindyRuns]

Not only can I drive one, I special ordered my current car with a 6 speed manual.

I drive a 2011 Toyota Camry SE... the last year Toyota made Camry's with a manual !!!

[Siri137]

My first car was a manual, but it took me about six months to learn how to drive it properly.

[OlderAndWiser]

My first new car was a 1978 VW Scirocco with a 4-speed and I drove it until 1989. I have driven a few manuals sporadically since then but once you've acquired the habit, you never forget.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

As for me I can drive manual however I haven’t driven it in a long time & if I try now I’ll just go by the old saying until it comes back. If you can’t find it grind it.

[Fireguy17]

yeppers, started in a 4 speed in a car, then a 5 & 2, 10 speed, 13 speed, twin stick 4x4 16 speed, Mack triplex, 8 speed with a low range 1st & reverse.
It really isn't that hard.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Fireguy17 That's neat. I had the hardest time learning to ease off the clutch while pressing the accelerator.

[Fireguy17]

remember, no one is born knowing how to drive a stick, we all had to learn.
I spent a lot of time on my grandfather's farm, so way back when 1 of his tractors had a hand clutch, the other 2 had foot clutches.
While you really didn't shift, you still had to stop and start.
So like anything, practice practice practice and in no time, you will be an expert at it.

[EmmaMary]

Although I'm licenced to drive an Automatic, I have only ever driven manual gearbox cars.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@emmamarie Are you also from the UK?

[EmmaMary]

@TheRealPepperPotts

I am indeed... How about you?

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@EmmaMary No, I'm from the US. I'd love to come visit the UK someday, though!

[EmmaMary]

@TheRealPepperPotts

I'm intrigued to know what made you think (correctly) that I'm here in the UK?

Hopefully if and when you manage to visit our "little island" you won't be too disappointed.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@EmmaMary I was looking at all the comments on my question, and noticed people saying it's common in the UK. Then, the way you phrased that you are licensed to drive an automatic made me wonder, because there's no special licensing required to do that in the US. So, I thought I'd ask!

I am sure I'll love it. Maybe I'll ask another question so you can share some recommendations of what not to miss over there!

[EmmaMary]

@TheRealPepperPotts

The actual driving test here can be a little confusing, in that if you pass driving an automatic, you're only permitted to drive automatics.

However, if you pass driving a manual, you're allowed to drive both!

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@EmmaMary I get that. Makes sense, I suppose. It takes a bit of learning curve to drive a manual, whereas an automatic is more straightforward.

[EmmaMary]

@TheRealPepperPotts

That does appear to be how the law is written here.

[dean53AU]

Drove heavy vehicles interstate with 18speed gearboxes

[TomBuchanan]

Yes and I've seen a chic squat nude over the stick shift and fuck it like a dildo. That was really hot.

[matchrestore]

I'd be a little rusty as it's been years and even back then it wasn't my daily driver, but I know how to do it if I needed to.

[Dargil]

Of course I can. I'm a Millennial. We still have basic life skills. I can also tie my own shoes and tell time of a wall clock.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Dargil I didn't mean the question in a negative or critical way. I was genuinely curious because guys always seem surprised when they find out that I can.

[Dargil]

I didn't take it as such. I was being sarcastic about Generation Z and Generation Alpha.
As my pappy used to say: "They don't know nothin', They don't even suspect nothin'."

[RebelinSteel]

Yeah in the UK pretty much everyone learns to drive a manual and their first cars will very likely be manual.

[OfMiceandMen]

Yes, I've had three vehicles that were manual transmission in my life.

[Nikki1989]

Manuals are mostly the only cars I have ever owned.

[ChicoFromThe305]

I know how to but I don't cause a manual car is a bad investment because of the terrible traffic here, there's a lot of bumper to bumper action here

[Awesomesauce2005]

All 3 of my cars are 4-speed manuals.

[SotiCoto]

Probably... but the last time I actually drove a car was when I was 17. I'm 40 now. I probably still remember how though.

[Twalli]

I know the theory, but seeing as I haven't been behind the wheel of a car for close to a decade, I probably can't drive an automatic either.

[RedInnocent69]

No. A buddy tried to teach me once, but it didn’t take. Sometimes I pretend, playing with the paddle buttons on my car.

[Likes2drive]

Yes, since I was 16 but they don’t use them anymore here even in our trucks

[LiamJHayden]

Yes, but where I live with the stop and go and stop and go, etc. traffic I prefer automatic.

[elaphe]

I have done it before, but it's been a long time. I could do it but wouild be rusty.

[MikeyPH85]

I actually first learn to drive with a little 5-speed Saturn!!

[Pterodon]

Yes I sure can both on the floor and column

[onedarkcloud]

Even taught my daughter and 3 granddaughters to drive a stick and an old Panhead motorcycle.

[msc545]

Yes, I learned on one and 2 of my 3 cars are manuals.

[DrPepper12]

I love the millennial anti theft device!!

[Jennz6]

I’m going to learn how to someday

[Levin]

Course. That's normal in England.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Levin I had no idea it was normal over there. Very cool. You'd likely be astonished how many people don't know how in the US.

[Levin]

I don't know how to drive an automatic 😋

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Levin You'd have no trouble at all. It's putting the car in gear and then just driving. You don't have to change gears while driving at all. No clutch, just brakes and accelerator.

[Levin]

Gotta make it simple for the Americans :)

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Levin Hey, I'm American! But I get what you're saying. :D

[Levin]

It's fine. You like being made fun of by Brits, right? :)

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Only if I can make fun of you in return. :)

[Levin]

There's nothing to make fun of me over though, is there?

[TheRealPepperPotts]

Would it bother you to have an American girl make fun of you?

[Levin]

I'm perfect, man. It would be hard for you to find anything.

[TheRealPepperPotts]

@Levin Brilliant! :)

[Levin]

Plus I have an English accent so pronounce everything correctly.

[DeeDeeDeVour]

2 out of my 3 cars are manuals.

[Dinklex3]

Nope. Have no interest in learning either.

[sheikalana]

Yes, that's how I learned how to drive.

[Yannae]

It's all I CAN drive.

[Arik_jade]

No... I haven't learn yet

[kellytheman]

I sure I can but most vehicles are automatic. now.

[noohair]

Fun when you are young.

[WhiteBoyChill]

Its my daily driver. So much fun!

[dustybiker2]

I can ride it too.

[laly520]

I can

[jahaims]

Yeah

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

Not in traffic.

[Loner111]

Nope