One word....."Idiot"

[DaCoon]

First vehicle I learned to drive was a dirt bike. From there the next one I drove was a VW bug. After that a Ford Maverick w/ 3 on the wheel. While I haven't owned a stick shift in quite a few years, I'm glad I learned the manual first.     

[MiloMorai]

CAP1,
Yes I would as in Europe people actually learn to drive... i.e. not in High school but actual driving schools etc... and automatics are not common place, in fact here in the Netherlands, they are talking about adding it to the license as a as a requirement in order to drive an automatic, you need to have a check ride.

I don't know about the USA but here (Ontario) the high school driving classes are run by driving schools.
A check drive for an automatic.

[CAP1]

CAP1,
Yes I would as in Europe people actually learn to drive... i.e. not in High school but actual driving schools etc... and automatics are not common place, in fact here in the Netherlands, they are talking about adding it to the license as a as a requirement in order to drive an automatic, you need to have a check ride.

don't even get me started on endorsements for drivers licenses.........when i see the extreme talent with which that soccer mom handles her ford excursion(in which she is carrying only her single 5 year old), i often wonder how the hell she went from honda civic(which she also probably had trouble handling) to excursion.
 
 as for actual driving schools.....if they wouldn't totally screw em up over here, i'd like to see something like that too. as it is, i think the types of driving schools we have here are more of a hindrance than a help.......parents don't seem to spend the time teaching their kids anymore, and the schools always seem to cancel classes at the hint of rain.

[CAP1]

I don't know about the USA but here (Ontario) the high school driving classes are run by driving schools.
A check drive for an automatic.

there should be check rides for anything bigger than a civic.

[gyrene81]

there should be check rides and IQ tests for anything bigger than a bicycle.

Fixed...  

I learned with a 3 speed on the column, that was a challenge.

[tmetal]

My dad taught me how to drive a stick when I was 14. the one "test" he gave me that I remember the most was having me stop on a steep hill, then he would hold his hand up almost to his eye, spread his thumb and pointer finger about an inch apart, find a bush just off the road side and position his thumb and pointer finger on either side of the bush through his perspective, then tell me to keep that bush inside his finger gap using only the clutch and gas pedal.  (short version: maintain a stopped vehicle position on a steep hill with only the clutch and gas pedals)

[CAP1]

Fixed... 

 

[CAP1]

that'll teach ya good clutch control......but on todays clutches....it'll burn em up faster than you could possibly imagine.

[branch37]

I want my next truck to be a stick just because it feels like your actually driving.  On the other hand, the automatic is nice for all the stopping at lights and stop signs in town.

[CAP1]

i drive a dodge dakota right now......318 5 speed. it's fun in any traffic condition. 

[Dadsguns]

My Dad taught me how to drive in a 1 ton Dodge Dually 4 speed with the Granny gear starting around 9 years old, it had the extended side mirrors so it was pretty wide.  By the time I was 14 with my learners permit I was hauling vehicles strapped upside down on the back of this beast away.

When I turned 15 for my official license, after I conducted the parallel park I had to drive down a narrow street with parked cars on either side with oncoming traffic, I had the DMV guy press his imaginary brakes twice as we passed parked cars on the right side and oncoming traffic that had parked cars on their side as well which made it very narrow and very little room for error, must have had just mere inches on either side since it was so narrow........     I bet he could not wait to get back to the office and change his cloths...  

I really enjoyed the 66 valiant I owned that had the 3 speed on the column, it gave you a place to rest your wrist on the shifter.....

[MiloMorai]

there should be check rides for anything bigger than a civic.

I don't think those check rides are driving test rides to get your license.

tmetal, that is when the handbrake is used.

The first standard I drove was a jeep that had the normal H pattern shift reversed. That is (3 speed box):
1st gear was were 3rd gear normally was,
2cd gear was were reverse normally was,
3rd gear was were 1st rear normally was,
reverse gear was were 3rd gear normally was.

[Dragon]

My first manual was a dirt bike.  First car was a manual Mazda GLC.  Bought a 1976 Vega with 5 speed where 1st was upper left, reverse was bottom left, 2nd was upper middle, the rest in standard H.  That was tough to bark 2nd, but not impossible.  Dodge Dakota was manual.

A few weeks ago my son's friend stopped by with his Subaru WRX.  I had the pleasure of showing him how to truly drive that car. 

Although I hadn't driven a stick in a few years, it came back to me somewhere between 0-60.  Yep, was just a few seconds to remember.   

[bagrat]

yea wen i was bout 15 my pops showed me how to drive stick in his 18 wheeler, i had some trouble backing the trailer up to the dock but i got it!



oh yea, but gettin a license in america is a joke, all i did was fill out a time sheet answer some remedial questions about what a sign means and heres your license.

[tmetal]

tmetal, that is when the handbrake is used.

The point of the test was to use only the clutch and the gas to hold the position. yes I do use the e-brake now if I have to sit on a hill for more than a few seconds. I still prefer the clutch/gas method but after a few seconds it starts to make the bullet scar in my leg burn like hell.