The manual transmission was once the default, with automatics seen as a luxury or convenience option. Eventually, the tide shifted because the great unwashed wanted autos. Manuals are still hanging on in the market, but they’re getting thin on the ground. Today we’re going to look at the manuals that are still available in the […]
That’s standard in the US too, except almost no one tests with a manual car. Why make the test harder on yourself? They don’t test how well you understand your own vehicle, just that you can drive it safely on public roads while recognizing signs and performing good driver’s etiquette. Might as well test with an automatic and have less things to focus on during the test.
Once you earn your license, then you can take the time to figure out how to drive a manual with the help of a friend/family member. That is, if you even care to learn. Most Americans don’t drive stick, and many never learn how.
I drive manuals exclusively. It’s a good way to ensure your car never gets stolen in the US. Most people can’t drive them, so you’re almost guaranteed to never lose your car.
I suppose it makes sense in a country where almost nobody drives manual. In my home country (Iceland), you can only get a license if you learn how to drive stick shift. Probably because manual is way more common in Iceland than the US.
Yep, the manual test is significantly harder, so everyone tests on automatic, but drives manual if that’s what they want. At least in BC where I’m from.
Yep. I did both of my tests on manual vehicles, one a VW hatch and the other an old farm truck, simply because it’s what I had available. Under the UK/EU system I guess I would have an extra endorsement, but it makes absolutely no difference in Canada.
Wait so you could take your license on either a manual or automatic and the Canadian system gives you the same license? That’s strange.
That’s standard in the US too, except almost no one tests with a manual car. Why make the test harder on yourself? They don’t test how well you understand your own vehicle, just that you can drive it safely on public roads while recognizing signs and performing good driver’s etiquette. Might as well test with an automatic and have less things to focus on during the test.
Once you earn your license, then you can take the time to figure out how to drive a manual with the help of a friend/family member. That is, if you even care to learn. Most Americans don’t drive stick, and many never learn how.
I drive manuals exclusively. It’s a good way to ensure your car never gets stolen in the US. Most people can’t drive them, so you’re almost guaranteed to never lose your car.
I suppose it makes sense in a country where almost nobody drives manual. In my home country (Iceland), you can only get a license if you learn how to drive stick shift. Probably because manual is way more common in Iceland than the US.
Yep, the manual test is significantly harder, so everyone tests on automatic, but drives manual if that’s what they want. At least in BC where I’m from.
Yep. I did both of my tests on manual vehicles, one a VW hatch and the other an old farm truck, simply because it’s what I had available. Under the UK/EU system I guess I would have an extra endorsement, but it makes absolutely no difference in Canada.