learn to drive manual

I’ve filled out the form for a provisional license, taken the photos, and wrote out the cheque. Now I just need to get a job, because I can’t send away my passport until I have.

This is more of a need than a want. I moved to the UK nearly 5 years ago and have been putting this off ever since. I’ve only driven automatics (on the opposite side of the road), and the way people drive here is hazardous to say the least. It’s gotten to that point now, though, where I feel trapped in the city. I would love to drive out of town for a weekend or just do all my groceries in one go, but right now I’m relying on public transport which is pretty expensive and not always reliable. There’s also the possibility of an emergency occurring in which someone has to drive, and that would probably fall on me knowing my luck!

So even though it’s going to cost me £200+ to take lessons (the UK does not recognise US licenses) I think it will be money well spent

I set up an appointment to change my Ontario licence to Quebec, and stupid me, I should have done it earlier, the next avail. appt was a month away. So after I get it, that will leave me just two months to practice before taking a test i HAVE to pass because my G1 expires in July!!! : S

I am looking at other options, like taking classes back in ontario with my old licence until I get my new one.

I DID ask my husband to explain his shifting and clutch work the other day while we were driving, and it helped me feel more comfortable with the concepts!

Its totally earns you more street cred!

got my license about a month ago. i love driving manual! automatic presents no challenge for me, i find it boring to drive, and its far too easy for me to speed without noticing.. manual is second nature to me now :D

Unless you are a race car driver, who would want to drive a stick? My first car was a stick, and every one since then has been automatic, and will be forever and ever! I mean, I guess it is good to know how in case you are in a situation where someone needs to drive, and the only driver is you, and the only car available is a stick – but otherwise, totally pointless.

no. will i ever really be so desperate that my life, or someone else’s, will rely on my ability to drive a shift (is that what you call it?)? i doubt it. so long!

well , i am now editing my list on this website and realized that i haven’t made an entry in ages. i forgot to mention that after my lesson i decided that driving manual is fun and can be learnt like any acquired skill but i don’t think i will buy a manual car because of the hassles involved in driving in conditons that require quick responses. i believe that the added complexity however slight may slow down my reflexes when i need it most on icy, snowy conditons. but it was fun to try !

i’m getting there. its just the slowing down part i hate. its confusing to have to change down gears and brake all within 2 seconds without stalling the car. my conclusion: everybody else should have to stop for you

well finally i decided to take a 2 hour lesson in suburbs around TO as the spring weather is really warming up, and to evaluate the possiblity of bying a nice fast sporty maual car for my next car! i thought it was going to be a pain to learn but it was pleasantly easy! once u get a feeling for the friction point and keep driving around under clutch,shift,gas becomes like a reflex, it actually becomes kind of fun. however i think driving in downtown TO stop and go trafficmight be too totally work intensive for a lzy dude like me….