Asklemmy

Northeast USA, 41 years old at the time (50 now), previous car to current one was a manual Honda Civic because it was what we could afford. My husband took me to a parking lot to show me the basics on a Saturday (he'd learned to drive on a stick shift), then off I went to work that Monday.

NGL. first month I cried a lot because I stalled out often, especially between first and second gear. After a while, though, I grew to love the control--especially in winter conditions--and that I could now drive any car. Eventually, the transmission burnt out, and we got a hybrid C-Max, which is nice, fuel-efficient, but I would drive another manual again if given the opportunity.

Yep, own a manual, driven manuals prior, and learned when I was young (conceptually at least, I grew up racing motorcycles, and the idea of clutch+shifting became a thing when I was about 8). Never formally was "taught" in a car, just got in and started driving one. Am 32 in Appalachia.

US, learned to drive on the east coast, early 40s, and I can and prefer to.

My wife, however, does not, so I live in the auto world.

Yes. Almost 50 in US. Owned over 100 manual vehicles.

Had to be able to start on a hill to get my license.

I haven't tried in over 10 years, but I was able to back then. It would probably take a bit of practice to get it back, but I'm sure I could figure it out again.

Since then I have owned two cars with paddle shifters, which I think is the best of both worlds for a casual driver who likes playing racing games, but has never driven on a track and doesn't really plan to.

Like many people of the Lemmy-verse, I know how to drive a manual (can't say I am best, or better than average even).

Cannot afford to own a car in this economy. Have a geared motorcycle tho.

20s, asia, and can do manual.

30s in the US and I can't drive a manual. I honestly don't even know where to go to even get a manual transmission vehicle. My dad had one 25 years ago and that's the last time I've been in a personal vehicle with manual transmission. I don't see why anyone would want one either. Who wants to make driving even more difficult and tedious than it already is?

From the US and yes I can

I can. I’m almost 50 though.

I think I can still do it. I haven’t driven one in twenty years.

My girlfriend and child cannot.

Most my rural friends can and my city friends can’t.

Yes and it's quite fun, feels like you're driving a racecar. It's not actually that hard though once you first figure it out. United States, for reference.

US, late 30s drove a manual for almost 20 years. Switched a few years ago when buying a new car and nothing that still had a manual was appealing. I do miss it sometimes, but others I'm just happy to cruise.

43, in the US. I drive a vehicle to work that was never sold with an automatic transmission.

I taught my wife (age 35) to drive one, and she daily drives another manual transmission vehicle.

39 US, yes, I learned on manuals but I own both an automatic car and a manual pickup, also the dump truck I drive at work is a 10 speed standard; it's a 2012, any of our trucks newer than 2013 are automatics and several of the people I work with can't drive standard trucks.

Yes, and I love it. It's so much fun.you have more control and I find it more responsive when putting your foot down compared to the cars with stop and go.pedals

U.K., 36. Yes. Most can.

Yes. 50s. Canada.

I taught myself. I was 19 and working for a small company (3 employees total) and had a van for work for hauling around equipment. My boss called me to his house one day and told me that he was taking the van for a six-week fishing trip. "You can take my BMW. You know how to drive stick, right?" I shook my head "no." "Well, you'll figure it out". Fortunately, he lived in the country so it was all quiet backroads for most of the trip home. By the time I got into the city, I (usually) didn't stall it at traffic lights.

A couple years later, I took a three-day motorcyle (newb to driving licence) course. Three out of fifteen students knew how to drive a manual transmission car. Only the three of us passed and got our licence - the others were having trouble stalling 'cause it was the first time they had ever dealt with a clutch. (note: this was typical, the ones who didn't pass could come back and try the final test again the following weekend).

66, UK. Passed my test in manual in 1982. My current car and all but one of my previous cars are the only automatics I've owned.

Italy: when I took my license I had to learn on a manual car because the exam car has a manual transmission but my first car was automatic (a bit uncommon here 15 years ago) so I forgot how to drive a manual, then I bought my first RV and I had to re-learn on a 30+ years vehicle but after that I never forgot. Now I like driving manual cars but if you live in a city it’s better an automatic one

Not very well but I'm sure I could figure it out after killing it a few times.

In Germany, driving with a manual is pretty standard. Although I did a special driving license (B197) which allows you to learn driving on a manual for 10 lessons and then switch to automatic for the rest of the course and the driving exam while still being allowed to drive a manual. It's pretty new tho. I did it because I really sucked at shifting. I now drive a manual and I'd say I'm okay with it although I'd really prefer an automatic.

US, 41, can (don't)

First car i bought, in 1988, was a manual. The day before i bought it, i checked out a book from the library (no internet, you know?) that told me how to drive it and "practiced" in my bedroom. I bought it and drove it home, terrified traffic would stop as i was going over a big bridge. I have an automatic now because i need an suv for work and manuals are hard to find in the US.

Yes, 46. USA

South East US (bible belt), 27, yes.

I learned shortly after getting my license, because I wanted to be versatile. My first car was a manual, but unfortunately decided to go back to automatic so I could lend my car without having to give a crash course.

I love driving stick it makes the most boring car that much more fun.

I'm in the US in the Pacific North West, mid 30s, and I can (and do) drive manual transmissions. My last two cars both were manuals. I hate CVTs, but could live with an automatic if it was quick enough with paddle shifters.

35, WI, can. Haven't had one in a while because the wife doesn't want to learn.

I tried twice and it went poorly.

Yes, I'm 32. Back in 2010 I got my licence in Norway. Norway has separate licences for manual and automatic transmissions, such that the automatic transmission licence is more limited. In 2010, nearly all cars were manual, and getting a licence for automatic transmission meant that you would basically only drive your own car.

Today, Norway in huge on EVs and hybrids, and I think you'll have to search hard to find a new car with manual transmission. I think the stats are that ~70% of new licences are for automatic transmission, which makes a lot of sense.

Yes. The first car I bought was manual and I had no experience driving manual. So my cousin test drove it for me near the sellers place and also drove it home. Then I taught myself over the next couple days on my home street before venturing further. It honestly wasn't hard, and I'm so glad I went with that vehicle too looking back as it was a great car at a great price.

45, US. Yes since I learned to drive at 16 and insisted on it on all my ICE vehicles. Only stopped driving them when I went electric and now I don't miss it because one pedal driving is the electric equivalent of control+fun that I liked about manual transmission.

29, Canadian, drive stick. I’d say maybe 30% of people I meet can? Much much less so for the under 25 group.

36, Scotland. Been driving almost 20 years manual. Briefly had an automatic Volvo XC90, it was great, didn't have to put down my cup of tea while approaching roundabouts.