this post was submitted on 29 Aug 2023
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And where are you from? And how old? Not "do you" but just if you know how.

I'm in the US, mid 30s and can (and do) drive a manual transmission.

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[–] HarriPotero@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Finland. I've been driving for a bit over 20 years. I got my first automatic two years ago. At first I had to focus hard not to look for the clutch when braking - especially if slamming the brakes.

I had to focus a bit when I drove a manual rental van about a year back, but I'm sure it'd come back to muscle memory if I daily drove one for a week or two.

Indiana and Wisconsin USA here. Approaching 50, and learned back in high school, as well as driving old tractors. My first car, a classic even when I got it, was a 63 Chevy Bel Aire manual. Drove manuals all through college and didn't buy an automatic until 2013, when the type of vehicle I needed didn't come in a manual.

I really miss driving stick, especially in snowy Wisconsin winters.

[–] 108@kbin.social 1 points 1 year ago

My Dad made me learn to drive in a manual. I'm in the US.

Early 30s, US.

Technically I learned how to drive manual when I was first learning to drive, but then everyone in my family got rid of their manual cars. I didn't get a car of my own until I graduated college and got a cheap beater for a gift that was auto. I've never had a manual car of my own and since it's been over 15 years I don't think anyone would want me to test my skills on their clutch, but in an emergency I could drive one.

I thought about getting a manual for my next car but my wife is just learning to drive and it's already very scary for her, so I don't think I will add that to her stressors. She's also early 30s, US, but born and raised in a major city so never had to drive. I'd like to sign us both up for manual lessons later on though.

[–] dragoness@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Yes I know how to drive a manual, I learned many years ago. I'm from the US and I'm 42.

Learned on an old beat up truck when I was like 20, I remember I got stuck stalling out on the highway once, I don't even remember how. I freaked out so bad. 8 years ago I had 2012 Mazdaspeed 3. I miss that car so so much.

[–] Infinitybiscuit@beehaw.org 1 points 1 year ago

Yes I can. 30 and from the US.

[–] Spastickyle@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yes, 46. USA

[–] Today@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] Zikeji@programming.dev 1 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] ThePac@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 year ago

US, 41, can (don't)

[–] Fear_and_loathing@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (1 children)

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.

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[–] silent_squirrel@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

Austria, mid 20s, yes

[–] Corigan@lemm.ee 1 points 5 months ago

I learned to drive on a standard in Maine, and my first car was a standard. I am now in my mid 30s,

I enjoy them but God would I not one in LA that and they seem almost a non option now outside of high end race cars

[–] IuseArchbtw@feddit.de 1 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] Coeus@coeus.sbs 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] megsmagik@feddit.it 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] FatLegTed@feddit.uk 1 points 1 year ago

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.

[–] lapommedeterre@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

30s. I was learning, and could drive with little to no traffic. I have an anxiety thing where my right side tremors, and learning to drive manual with traffic would always set it off. :(

[–] BilboBargains@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

As a red blooded man, manual transmission gets my dick hard. That stick is throbbing when I hit the pedal, gotta work it real good.

[–] johnrobbespiere@lemmygrad.ml 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Indian, can drive and do drive both manual and automatic depending on the car I have access to. 19. Have been driving since 18th birthday.

[–] outbound@lemmy.ca 1 points 1 year ago

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).

[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 1 points 1 year ago

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

[–] Slice@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

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.

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