Is driving manual hard?
Not really: minutes to understand, a few hours to pull away and shift on your own, and a few weeks before traffic feels routine. Driving schools talk about 20 to 30 hours to get smooth. Only two things are truly hard: getting the car moving without stalling, and the hill start. The rest is habit.
What is hard, in order
- Pulling away on the flat without stalling: the first hour.
- Shifting at the right rpm: gone in a few days.
- Stopping and going at a light with someone behind: that is fear, not technique.
- The hill start: the last thing to become automatic.
A driving school quoted by SlashGear estimates 20 to 30 hours of practice to drive a manual comfortably. Source: SlashGear
FAQ
I already drive an automatic. Will I learn fast?
Yes. You already know traffic; you only need the left foot and the gear stick.
Is it worth learning manual?
It is if you will rent, borrow or drive a work car. Manuals are still around.
Where do I start?
With pulling away on the flat. It is the first section of the game, on beginner.