Should I Still Learn To Drive a Manual Now That Automatic Cars Are Everywhere?

Driving a manual car is becoming a forgotten history. Still, some people have learned manual driving and will never give up, but is it worth learning for a newcomer?

The popularity of manual transmissions has been decreasing for years now. You could wonder if learning to drive a manual is even worth it. There are still vehicles sold today that offer a manual transmission, so it’s not a completely lost cause. Are there any major advantages to learning how to drive a stick?

Manual vs. Automatic: Which  One is More Popular?

While many people will still defend the superiority and likability of a manual transmission, the stick shift has lost its appeal over the years. Stats from October 2019 show that only 1.2% of new cars sold in the past year had manual transmissions. In the European Union, however, manual transmissions are still the majority. 

Those that are still driving manuals say the vehicles are more engaging, with the driver having full control over the gears and when to shift them. Some even say that manuals deter car thieves.

But automatic transmission lovers note that their beloved cars are less complex for new drivers to master, easier to drive in stop-and-go traffic, and are more readily available for buyers. 

What’s the Advantage of Learning Manual Driving? 

If manual transmissions are a fading trend, why learn to drive one at all? As noted above, they offer more control and can be more thrilling to drive. And because so many people haven’t bothered with learning to drive them, there’s slightly less risk of your car being stolen.

But there are other, more significant reasons to learn to drive a manual. 

One of the most important reasons is that manual transmissions cost less to repair when problems arise. They can sometimes be less expensive to purchase in the first place.

But drivers should think beyond that. The most compelling reason to learn to drive a manual is preparedness. 

That’s right. You’ll be ready for any situation after learning to drive a stick shift. Whether it be driving an intoxicated friend home in their car, driving a racecar, or renting a car overseas, you’ll be ready.

Where Should I Learn to Drive Manual Cars? 

Learning how to drive a stick shift is a learning process because it takes more active use of your body for feeling the car when it’s ready to shift. But it’s not impossible.

If you have a friend that has a manual car, see if they can give you a few lessons. No one you know has one? That’s okay, too. That’s because technology and social media have made it possible to learn to drive a manual without actually having a car to practice with.

A simple Google search for ‘where to learn to drive a manual’ will produce several YouTube videos and websites with lessons. There are even businesses that offer stick-shift driving lessons. 

It may help to know how this type of transmission works, as understanding the ins and outs of the workings of the transmission can give you additional insight into driving one. You can also learn the top tips for making the most of your manual transmission vehicle so you’ll be aware of the things not to do when driving. 

Should I Learn Manual Driving?

Before you can decide if you should learn to drive a manual transmission, you’ll need to determine if it’s worth it to you. It also helps to consider that people typically don’t give manuals a chance because they’re afraid of the learning curve. The thing is, you can do anything you put your mind to. So if you’ve got the time, why not give it a chance?

Conclusion

Although automatic cars are now popularly driven in the country, learning manual driving is still relevant as it keeps you informed on this order mode of driving that might be useful to you someday.