This is nothing new. I passed my driver's test in 1976 without ever even seeing an manual transmission. I remember that my father was amazed that manual shifting was not taught in driver's ed. I learned later when I purchased my first new car.

In those days, it was thought that "real Americans" don't drive a stick shift, because very few American made cars had them, and the few that did were very poorly built (ie Chevrolet Vega).

Even today, you can drive your entire life in the US and never have to drive a manual transmission. You can't get them from rental agencies (unlike Europe, where an automatic costs more). It's simply a matter of personal preference.

Maybe we should have a separate class of drivers license for manual shifters, similar to motorcycles. In my experience, most people who own manual shift cars drive them correctly, since clutches are pretty expensive to replace.

Just my 2 cents.

gatorcpa
'00 9-3 convertible (automatic)

• Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, Caspar, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:24:34
  • my driving school wouldn't let me learn a stick!, MW, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 20:26:25
  • Yes, Ari , Thu, 14 Jun 2001 15:00:21
    • Re: Yes, Caspar, Fri, 15 Jun 2001 04:57:21
      • Re: Yes, Trevor, Fri, 15 Jun 2001 19:19:18
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, jp, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 14:04:56
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, Dean, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:37:36
    • Moving from NJ to CT only required an eye test (and fees) n/m, Dave Westlake, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 13:24:15
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, gatorcpa, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:02:17 <-- Viewing This Message
    • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, Leigh, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:42:38
  • failing MA driving test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, JMC, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 11:42:29
    • Re: failing MA driving test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, RichO, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 17:29:22
    • Re: failing MA driving test!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, Jeff Newton, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:45:31
    • Re: do a test on a real road ..., Caspar Curdt-Christiansen, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:18:07
      • I had 10 lessons in 1996 :-) n/m, AdamB , Thu, 14 Jun 2001 16:06:51
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, Aaron Govatos, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 11:41:59
    • You probably would have failed in other countries too, Bill D, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 13:28:15
      • We were taught to put it in neutral while slowing for red light.., AdamB , Thu, 14 Jun 2001 16:04:44
      • There used to be an FAA regulation...., Dave Westlake, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 13:45:31
        • Did EdG have his flaps down with the koolbassa ? n/m, Bill D, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 15:50:23
    • Think about it......, Dave Westlake, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 11:50:08
    • Actually, you would have failed in Europe for that too!, JMC, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 11:49:57
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, Randy Thatcher - WASAABE, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:55:31
  • Unfortunately you can., Dave Westlake, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:53:39
    • Re: Unfortunately you can., Tom Remedios, Fri, 15 Jun 2001 09:27:07
    • Good question ..., Caspar, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 12:02:46
  • Try this one out, not everyone has to take driving test..., Mike 87 900s, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:52:20
  • Re: Can you get a license in the US driving ONLY an auto???, andy m, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:29:52
    • Canada, too n/m, Mike in NS, Thu, 14 Jun 2001 10:39:03

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